Evil Jungle Prince

Thousands of them came rushing towards me! Out of the corner of my eye I had seen them slowly creeping up to me, but now they were charging toward me, full speed! I was alone and my only hope was a desperate leap into the river.

That's how it felt as it dawned on me that I was lost in the jungle. The forest surrounded me.
I was fortunate; people knew where I was; I had 3 hours of daylight left; and if all else failed I could walk down the Cosanga River until I reached town (it would have taken me a day and a half). I was extra fortunate because after only thirty minutes Rafael came charging through the underbrush looking for me.

Harold was back for a week before he left for 3 months. The day I got lost was the day Harold decided to 'show us around a little bit'. I think I packed my binoculars and a PB&J sandwich for that little tour --- what I really needed was a a chainsaw and a swimsuit. I can't say that we were ever off trail because I never saw a trail in the first place. We were mostly walking hip deep through rivers and streams and belly crawling through the bamboo and ferns. I'm still getting used to walking around on the slick rocks and thick mud so I fell behind... way behind. Fortunately Rafael was looking out for me.

I guess my ego needed a kick in the butt. Just the day before Harold came back I had practically become chief of Yanayacu (after only 5 weeks!!). An Ecuadorian news crew came to tape what was going on at the Bio Station. And who did they decide to interview for expert testimony? Why Aaron Fox, of course! (It was absolutely ridiculous but when it came down to it I was the person who had the best combination of Spanish skills and Biological know-how). So I'm on Ecuadorian TV!

But then Harold returned. And the Evil Jungle Prince showed me just how much I have to learn out there in the forest. He must have been about a mile ahead, bounding over boulders, when I got lost.

Harold the prince has left now. Before he left he put me in charge of getting Jacob, Julia, and Inka (the Alemanes) safely to the Paramo (4000 meters above sea level). Then Jose, the station's manager (he's 24), went to Tena for a few days, and he left me in charge of Yanayacu. Who knows, maybe by time I leave here in February I will be an Evil Jungle Prince too.

Shana Tova

-Aaron

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