I'm living in my dream

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Things change, and so does my flight ticket. As many times as it can. This time it is for a volunteer work I got here in Amazonas, on the river dolphin, Boto vermelho. It is pink. I applied for work as an intern here a while ago but first of all I didn't know either spanish or portuguese, so that was it. But now, as I am here, I asked again if I could come as a voluteer. It didn't seem likely as they didn't need anyone for only one month, but if I could stay until the end of january it would be ok. I couldn't and thought that was it and started planning a great trip along the east coast of Brazil. I was getting over the frustration of missing out on the volunteer work, and getting quite excited about the trip.. All plans set (I was even planning, imagine), then I got an email saying that they will take me anyway! I thought I was dreaming! I was going to take the slow boat (2 days) to Mamariuá reserve. It was so messy, the boat didn't leave and the next day there was no boat.. I figured maybe I wouldn't go after all.. I didn't enjoy hot and crowded Manaus at all, and saw it as a test... In the end I got the fast boat (only 12 hours) and made it to the reserve... There I joined the Projeto Boto team for the catching trip!!! There was Tony and Vera, the researchers, Mariana who's an intern and Miriam, Luiz Claudio and Ellen (volunteers/new interns). There was also a bunch of local fishermen who went out early every morning (like 6 am) to put out nets to capture the botos. Awesome guys, always laughing. For 3 weeks I assisted when the dolphins were captured for branding, getting blood samples etc. It was so interesting and every day I was thinking what I did to be so lucky to be part of this! I learned a lot about the botos and doing field research. I've had a great time out there on the river. After the capture the floating house was moved back to its original place (very cool!!! I got to drive the boat that moved the house!! Only dared to do it for 30 sec!). Almost all people left and only 5 of us were left.. It was very quiet and I started enjoying the surroudings - the trails, the bird life, having pink botos and huge caimans all around, and just living on a floating house on a river somewhere in the amazone river system. Also, we continued with the regular working routine, which meant daily observations of botos. This is how data about the botos is collected, and the work that is done by interns all through the year. And, slowly slowly I'm getting the hang of portuguese... It's not that easy at all.. I think I speak some kind of mix between spanish and portuguese, but it seems to work most of the time.

Right now I am in Tefe, the closest town, and since its been one month since I was last in civilisation, it is quite exciting.. Noise, cars, kids running on the streets and music playing from different places.. Wow.. Hopefully there will be some party tonight, since no drinking is allowed in the reserve and I've been a good girl (well..). Then I'm going back to work for another week and after that my time in Brazil is almost finished..

My travel plan for those who are interested and I will meet somewhere: 7 dec to Rio, 12 dec Sao Paolo to NY, In NY/Boston until dec 18, then to LA, (meet Henny, mum and Josef!!!), travel around in Cali, 3 dec back to Boston/NY....... then..... back to Sweden jan 15 (to Stockholm).

But until then, if youre looking for me I'll be in a floating house on the river...

Sorry, I can't put any pictures up right now but will try to do that as soon as possible! Promise it's worth the wait!!

Until next time...

Helena

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Photos

Boto calf
At first they look like any dolphin, later body shape and colour changes

Conceissâo
Our excellent chef

Luis Claudio, Mariana and Miriam
interns/volunteers

Comments

[libi]

wow, it sounds like a dream !!!!! don't wake up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!