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Published: November 13th 2010
I certainly did. I have long identitfied as an ¨environmentalist¨, not only because of my concern for imbalanced global human ecology but also because just seems natural for me to live a lower-impact and simplistic lifestyle. It is interesting to recall the connotations of the Amazon from my life back in the States. Everything from it being hailed as the biggest, widest, most biodiverse, etc. river-rainforest ecosystem in the world; to its destruction for soy crops to make tofu for rich people (I often heard this as a critique of diets that included soy as a protein source- relevant during my 8 years of vegetarianism and veganism). Anyway, coming from a forested region myself (where clearcuts scar most horizons), and being a student both academically and otherwise ecology, I was naturally quite interested to investigate human-forest relations first hand while here in the Peruvian rainforest, along with my other goals of learning Spanish, Shipibo, and about the art and lives of Shipibo texile artists.
Also, as anyone who knows me well and they will tell you I am happiest in the forest. Who doesn´t love nature? I would be crazy if, during my months in the Pucallpa I never onced ventured into to wild. My logic is a little something like this: ¨Oh goodness! Not only is there forest but it´s tropical! I have no idea what plants, animals, geographic features predominate in this land! Let´s check it out!¨
I want to tell you the story of the month I spent with Madereros (people who work with wood resources), but first of all I would like to address one thing. As my family, the faculty of my college, and some friends may tell you, there was a tad of concern raised because of the informality of this adventure, and I was at least one week late coming back into contact. I definitely was late coming back, but this was beyone my control. To be fair, I had sent information regarding my location and the names of several people accompaning me to my family and to Fairhaven college. As this was not a touristic activity (to say the least), I was not able to supply information about a company, guide, resort, or any other such infrastructure. I used as much responsibility as I could to assure the folks back home that, in the case of me going missing for way too long, they would have something to go off of. I was surprised when I got back at what felt like a critisicm of poor communication and irresponsibility on my part. I know for sure that I did everything I could, and that people who are prone to being concerned will do just that. I would do the exact same thing in a heart beat. One thing I know for sure about myself is that I am an optimist, and for a good reason. Well, thanks for bearing with me. I needed to communicate that. Read on in my blog for the story itself.
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Sus, I am not worried.
I think I get this from my father who has the ability to choose not to worry if something is out of his influence. Well, I am glad you took the Madereros opportunity! I look forward to reading about it. This is the first time I have read your blog online, but I have read everything Kathryn had printed and placed on the wall as of two weeks ago. I wish you well, Sus! I am glad you are adapting your plans and experience as you need.