Semana 5
Lunes 30 de marzo - Miercoles 1 de abril - Salasaka
This week we only have school for three days due to Easter weekend. Me, Iris, Virginie, Aline and two new volunteers Brooke and Chantal have decided to use this extended weekend to make a trip to the jungle! At school this week I spend my time with group 1 and their teacher for the last 4 months, Kelly. The class has only three girls, Vanessa, Saya and Jasmine. Each morning they have maths, which is followed by Colada (break time). Then kichwa, and reading practice before lunch.
On Tuesday afternoon I head to Pelileo with Arne to get money and food in preparation for the jungle trip. In the evening Alexis tells me the news that it will be his last class with me as he will be returning to Riobamba for the new term at university. I have taught him since my arrival in Salasaka and have got along really well. His English is very good, and he had also been helping me with my Spanish, so it is a shame to say goodbye.
On wednesday I return to kindergarten for the morning, after planning during the previous, to do an easter egg hunt and painting boiled eggs. Only Saya turns up to school so both her and Kelly also join in with the egg painting. Later in the morning, we get the kindergarten kids to search for the kinder suprise eggs we have bought them. Their reaction when they find them and then open them and find both the small toy and chocolate is priceless.. joy on their faces, something I'll never forget. Without the presence of the usual crazy Christian, there has been much more calmness this morning.
Trip to the jungle... Cuyabeno
Later in the evening on Wednesday we make our way to Ambato ready for our night bus to Lago Agrio.. ipod on.. time to try and get some sleep.. the bus departs at 10.45pm..
Jueves 2 de abril
..we pull into the bus terminal in Lago Agrio at 6am.. here we wait around for an hour or so, eating some breakfast and then we take a caminetta to the hotel where we will be picked up by our tour company. Washington turns up with a sheet with our names printed on.. we pay him and then wait another half hour for our bus to arrive which then drives us to the edge of Cuyabeno national park, a 2 hour journey. Before boarding we meet our tour guide for the next 4 days, David. It is pouring with rain when we arrive at the riverside where we will later be taking our boat into the jungle.. first we have lunch. We meet the two other english speakers in our group, a Canadian couple, Tara and Ryan. After lunch, the rain has cleared! We are each given a poncho to wear when we boat the small two seat wide canoe, incase of any more heavy rain, and then we are off..
Soon after beginning our journey down the windy river, we spot squirrel monkeys in the trees above us. As we stop to observe them, the boat slowly moves into the side branches. . Big ants climb onto Aline and then Chantal's head/shoulders. .welcome to the jungle!
We continue down the river and passing one of the corners we officially arrive into the national park, passing a sign marking the entrance. As the heavy rain from earlier in the day has cleared we are very lucky to see a large amount of wildlife.. many different monkeys, butterflys, a sloth, small camouflaged bats and the ever changing tree life. Pa
We have arrived in paradise on our first day.
When we eventually arrive at our awesome lodge, we have snacks and then some time to nap before heading back out on the boat in the late afternoon to spot dolphins and then watch the sun set from the edge of the huge lake nearby to our lodge. Before returning for dinner we have the chance to jump in and swim! After a tasty dinner and a few beers we head to bed and crash. A fantastic first days adventure here in the jungle.
Lunes 30 de marzo - Miercoles 1 de abril - Salasaka
This week we only have school for three days due to Easter weekend. Me, Iris, Virginie, Aline and two new volunteers Brooke and Chantal have decided to use this extended weekend to make a trip to the jungle! At school this week I spend my time with group 1 and their teacher for the last 4 months, Kelly. The class has only three girls, Vanessa, Saya and Jasmine. Each morning they have maths, which is followed by Colada (break time). Then kichwa, and reading practice before lunch.
On Tuesday afternoon I head to Pelileo with Arne to get money and food in preparation for the jungle trip. In the evening Alexis tells me the news that it will be his last class with me as he will be returning to Riobamba for the new term at university. I have taught him since my arrival in Salasaka and have got along really well. His English is very good, and he had also been helping me with my Spanish, so it is a shame to say goodbye.
On wednesday I return to kindergarten for the morning, after planning during the previous, to do an easter egg hunt and painting boiled eggs. Only Saya turns up to school so both her and Kelly also join in with the egg painting. Later in the morning, we get the kindergarten kids to search for the kinder suprise eggs we have bought them. Their reaction when they find them and then open them and find both the small toy and chocolate is priceless.. joy on their faces, something I'll never forget. Without the presence of the usual crazy Christian, there has been much more calmness this morning.
Trip to the jungle... Cuyabeno
Later in the evening on Wednesday we make our way to Ambato ready for our night bus to Lago Agrio.. ipod on.. time to try and get some sleep.. the bus departs at 10.45pm..
Jueves 2 de abril
..we pull into the bus terminal in Lago Agrio at 6am.. here we wait around for an hour or so, eating some breakfast and then we take a caminetta to the hotel where we will be picked up by our tour company. Washington turns up with a sheet with our names printed on.. we pay him and then wait another half hour for our bus to arrive which then drives us to the edge of Cuyabeno national park, a 2 hour journey. Before boarding we meet our tour guide for the next 4 days, David. It is pouring with rain when we arrive at the riverside where we will later be taking our boat into the jungle.. first we have lunch. We meet the two other english speakers in our group, a Canadian couple, Tara and Ryan. After lunch, the rain has cleared! We are each given a poncho to wear when we boat the small two seat wide canoe, incase of any more heavy rain, and then we are off..
Soon after beginning our journey down the windy river, we spot squirrel monkeys in the trees above us. As we stop to observe them, the boat slowly moves into the side branches. . Big ants climb onto Aline and then Chantal's head/shoulders. .welcome to the jungle!
We continue down the river and passing one of the corners we officially arrive into the national park, passing a sign marking the entrance. As the heavy rain from earlier in the day has cleared we are very lucky to see a large amount of wildlife.. many different monkeys, butterflys, a sloth, small camouflaged bats and the ever changing tree life. Pa
We have arrived in paradise on our first day.
When we eventually arrive at our awesome lodge, we have snacks and then some time to nap before heading back out on the boat in the late afternoon to spot dolphins and then watch the sun set from the edge of the huge lake nearby to our lodge. Before returning for dinner we have the chance to jump in and swim! After a tasty dinner and a few beers we head to bed and crash. A fantastic first days adventure here in the jungle.
Viernes 3 de abril
In the morning we have a very tasty breakfast (and a welcome change from my daily porridge in Salasaka!), fresh fruit, eggs, banana bread! Soon after we are boarding the boat again ready for a morning exploration down the river to find more wildlife.. this morning the sky is again covered by dark grey clouds.. we are prepared for rain with our ponchos on and soon into our journey it begins to pour with rain. Iris soon realises her poncho has a hole through the zip.. resulting in wet legs. When the rain clears our boat driver, Javier, (somehow) spots an anaconda hanging in one of the low branches as we past by.. we turn back around to get a closer look!
We make a stop at a local indigenous community, where we paint our faces using the seeds from a fruit (a similar experience I had had when I travelled in Peru nearly two years ago..). We then continue to our destination for the afternoon.. here we meet Javier´s wife who preceeds to show us how to make Pan de Yucca. We walk through the jungle to the Yucca plants where together we pull up the roots and then begin stripping away the outer layer. Aline carries the large pile back Ecuadorian style.. from her head.. First we grate the yucca.. a tiring process.. eating watermelon between.. next the remains are drained and afterwards the substance left is put through a sieve.. This is then scooped into a cup and spread into a circle on a hot plate over a fire which cooks the yucca to create the bread. Whilst this is going on David cooks a tuna/chilli sauce which we then eat with the tasty yucca bread. For lunch we have a traditional rice dish.
One of the Shaman from the area arrives and first we have a chance to shoot a target using a traditional hunting weapon.. a long thin pipe which you then blow out a dart.. Chantal manages to hit the target with her first attempt!! Next we all sit and are told about the role of the Shaman, the process to become one and about the rituals that take place. They are the spiritual leader and in the past were the only doctor for the community.. today they are still the first point of contact but they will give permission for the people to journey to a town or city to seek more substantial treatment. An example of part of a ceremony is performed on Aline.
After arrivng back at the lodge we nap before heading out for a night walk in the jungle.. we see many different insects, spiders, snakes .. it is fascinating but creepy! After our walk we make a search around the lake to spot caimans.. we are unsuccessful but after leaving our boat at another lodge we see a large caiman lurking in the water. Our dinner back at the lodge is great once again, and we open up the rum we have brought with us for a few drinks before bed.
In the morning we have a very tasty breakfast (and a welcome change from my daily porridge in Salasaka!), fresh fruit, eggs, banana bread! Soon after we are boarding the boat again ready for a morning exploration down the river to find more wildlife.. this morning the sky is again covered by dark grey clouds.. we are prepared for rain with our ponchos on and soon into our journey it begins to pour with rain. Iris soon realises her poncho has a hole through the zip.. resulting in wet legs. When the rain clears our boat driver, Javier, (somehow) spots an anaconda hanging in one of the low branches as we past by.. we turn back around to get a closer look!
We make a stop at a local indigenous community, where we paint our faces using the seeds from a fruit (a similar experience I had had when I travelled in Peru nearly two years ago..). We then continue to our destination for the afternoon.. here we meet Javier´s wife who preceeds to show us how to make Pan de Yucca. We walk through the jungle to the Yucca plants where together we pull up the roots and then begin stripping away the outer layer. Aline carries the large pile back Ecuadorian style.. from her head.. First we grate the yucca.. a tiring process.. eating watermelon between.. next the remains are drained and afterwards the substance left is put through a sieve.. This is then scooped into a cup and spread into a circle on a hot plate over a fire which cooks the yucca to create the bread. Whilst this is going on David cooks a tuna/chilli sauce which we then eat with the tasty yucca bread. For lunch we have a traditional rice dish.
One of the Shaman from the area arrives and first we have a chance to shoot a target using a traditional hunting weapon.. a long thin pipe which you then blow out a dart.. Chantal manages to hit the target with her first attempt!! Next we all sit and are told about the role of the Shaman, the process to become one and about the rituals that take place. They are the spiritual leader and in the past were the only doctor for the community.. today they are still the first point of contact but they will give permission for the people to journey to a town or city to seek more substantial treatment. An example of part of a ceremony is performed on Aline.
After arrivng back at the lodge we nap before heading out for a night walk in the jungle.. we see many different insects, spiders, snakes .. it is fascinating but creepy! After our walk we make a search around the lake to spot caimans.. we are unsuccessful but after leaving our boat at another lodge we see a large caiman lurking in the water. Our dinner back at the lodge is great once again, and we open up the rum we have brought with us for a few drinks before bed.
Sabado 4 de abril
Today we have another jungle walk but this time during the day. We again spot a lot of wildlife.. including monkeys, birds in the distance trees and find out about the different types of plantation and tree life. For part of our route we have to walk through (often balancing on tree trunks) a swamp.. anyone who falls in will have to buy a round of drinks... plop... there goes Chantal!! David spots and catches a small caiman..
We then return back to the lodge for lunch, a chilled out afternoon and then head out for another search for wildife on the boat before grabbing our swimming gear.. some alcohol.. and taking the wooden catermaran into the lake where we swim, chill out and enjoy the awesome sunset.. can life get any better?
After dinner we are heading to bed early in preparation for our 5.30am start, for a morning of bird spotting.
Today we have another jungle walk but this time during the day. We again spot a lot of wildlife.. including monkeys, birds in the distance trees and find out about the different types of plantation and tree life. For part of our route we have to walk through (often balancing on tree trunks) a swamp.. anyone who falls in will have to buy a round of drinks... plop... there goes Chantal!! David spots and catches a small caiman..
We then return back to the lodge for lunch, a chilled out afternoon and then head out for another search for wildife on the boat before grabbing our swimming gear.. some alcohol.. and taking the wooden catermaran into the lake where we swim, chill out and enjoy the awesome sunset.. can life get any better?
After dinner we are heading to bed early in preparation for our 5.30am start, for a morning of bird spotting.
Domingo 5 de abril
So far we have been lucky with the weather.. having only experienced a heavy downfall of rain whilst on the boat on our second day.. and today this fortune continues..
We are up and heading off soon after 6am.. David, our guide, tells us of the large decline in birdlife over the last decade.. further down the river there is now a great amount of oil drilling taking place.. We manage to spot a few birds during the morning and then return back for breakfast..
Cuyabeno Wildlife (courtesy of Ryan)
Pygmy Mormoset (smallest primate)
Black Montle Tomoria
Common Squirrel Monkey
White Fronted Capuchin
Common Woolly
Monk Saki
Blue Headed Parrot
Hoatzin
Ringed Kingfisher
White Throated Tucan
Screaming Pike
Anhinga Anking
Red headed Woodpecker
Roadride Hawke
Harpy Eagle
We chill out until late morning when we then get packed up, and leave the lodge for the final time to head back to mainland! It is extremely hot and humid when we arrive back at our starting point on the river four days ago.. we are given a packed lunch to eat on the 2 hour bus ride back to Lago Agrio..
Lago Agrio.. is even more sweaty.. after a wait we board our bus to Quito.
After a long journey to Quito.. and then across the city to the bus terminal.. and then Ambato.. followed by a taxi to Salasaka.. we eventually arrive back at the volunteers home close to 1am... and then crash.. back to school tomorrow!
So far we have been lucky with the weather.. having only experienced a heavy downfall of rain whilst on the boat on our second day.. and today this fortune continues..
We are up and heading off soon after 6am.. David, our guide, tells us of the large decline in birdlife over the last decade.. further down the river there is now a great amount of oil drilling taking place.. We manage to spot a few birds during the morning and then return back for breakfast..
Cuyabeno Wildlife (courtesy of Ryan)
Pygmy Mormoset (smallest primate)
Black Montle Tomoria
Common Squirrel Monkey
White Fronted Capuchin
Common Woolly
Monk Saki
Blue Headed Parrot
Hoatzin
Ringed Kingfisher
White Throated Tucan
Screaming Pike
Anhinga Anking
Red headed Woodpecker
Roadride Hawke
Harpy Eagle
We chill out until late morning when we then get packed up, and leave the lodge for the final time to head back to mainland! It is extremely hot and humid when we arrive back at our starting point on the river four days ago.. we are given a packed lunch to eat on the 2 hour bus ride back to Lago Agrio..
Lago Agrio.. is even more sweaty.. after a wait we board our bus to Quito.
After a long journey to Quito.. and then across the city to the bus terminal.. and then Ambato.. followed by a taxi to Salasaka.. we eventually arrive back at the volunteers home close to 1am... and then crash.. back to school tomorrow!
What a fantastic four days this has been.. sitting on the hammock before leaving.. no wifi.. great company.. no contact with the outerworld.. at peace!! Take me back!!
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