Welcome to the Jungle, Baby!
Trip Start
Mar 17, 2009
1
21
23
Trip End
Jun 17, 2009
Puyo,
Ecuador
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Shanrgi- La is a beautiful lodge set up on a ledge about 100 meters above a fast moving river, deep in the jungle. For $40 day, I got to stay at the lodge all weekend (my own room), have 3 fantastic meals served up by the courteous staff, and be apart of 2 non-stressful activities per day. This also included a bi-lingual guide that was knowledgeable about various indigenous customs and the local flora.
Our activities included jungle hikes, river tubing, caving, and even scaling a waterfall. These adventures were reached by a short walk from the lodge, so much of our off time was spent lounging lazily in a hammock, reading a book or talking to the local guides
Wookie
. This weekend was super relaxing, and one of the first times in South America, I actually felt like I was on a real vacation. Only after viewing the face-size, tarantulas that live in the attic, did I have any stress. Nightmares of waking up with these monsters in my beard were more than frightening. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend, something well needed after a week of battling rapids in a kayak.I would like to talk about the backpacking counter-culture that I have encountered since I left the states. I am pretty certain that budget travelers are some of the kindest humans roaming the earth. There must be something about living out of a bag that makes people super sincere and extra friendly. I would usually never think about approaching someone in a bus terminal, and ask them if I can sit and chat about our travels together. After only a few weeks away, it started to seem natural. Two dirty, exhausted, people lugging around big packs seem to have something in common, something unspoken that seems to draw you to this person. Friendship is the natural progression.
The emptiness of traveling solo really makes one extra confident. Everyone on the road is constantly looking for others to share experiences and travel with, meeting new people is easy. I have met so many wonderful people on buses, tours, and cafes in South America that I hope we remain friends forever. Usually, I meet someone, or a group of people with similar travel plans, and end up traveling with them for a night, or even for a week. Sooner or later the travel plans cease to be aligned and everybody goes there separate ways. Promises of keeping in touch are made, but I assume will eventually fade. But knowing I have friends in many random parts of the world gives me a happy feeling
Dugout
. One of my pre-travel regrets was not having a Facebook account before leaving, this is how ALL travelers keep up with each other down here.Hostal life is also something extraordinary that I have had way too much experience with down here. Many times I think I would rather be sleeping outside than in some of these dumps. There is absolutely no privacy in these places. Hostals are really not for the shy, but shyness is a virtue that is quickly shed by backpacking. One little issue I have with traveling in South America is that the toilets cannot dispose of paper waste, so all of it must be put in a little trash bin next to the toilet. This is something I donīt think I will ever get used to, and a custom I will not be bringing back home with me.
Most of these places are wonderful though. Some will organize tours and even cook meals for the residences. In fact, some of the best meals Iīve had were at hostal BBQs. Itīs also a great place to meet like-minded travelers, exchange books, and pass the time. Bigger hostals have movie rooms with extensive libraries. A great way to pass the time on a rainy morning.
Some countries seem to encourage their people to volunteer and travel around the world
Aracnaphobia
. It seems like I run into travelers from the same 5 countries. Canadians are everywhere here, many of them doing volunteer work. The British are well-represented, and their slang is starting to rub off on me. Swiss travelers are all over South America, and they all seem to be traveling for at-least 6 months. Does anyone work in Switzerland? Many Israelis come abroad after their mandatory years in the military. They party at all hours of the night. The Aussies are also everywhere, and drink more cervezas than any other nationality. The few Americans I tend to meet seem to be from the west coast and very chill individuals.Anyway, I am nearing the end of the trip, and hopefully I will come back being as open of a human as this trip has forced me to be.
Trivia Question:
I have been wearing a Jeff Francour Jersey-Tee all trip hoping for a complete turn-around from his abysmal 2008 campaign. What are his current batting statistics, and how are my Bravos doing so far?
Michael
"So take it as a song or a lesson to learn
And sometime soon be better than you were
If you say you're gonna go, then be careful
And watch how you treat every living soul"
Band of Horses "Detlef Schrempf"
Comments
francoeur vs facebook
lets just say facebook is better. ironic how facebook makes the world go round. braves released glavine adn picked up nate mclouth, the stud all star from pittsburgh last week. he has been pretty clutch so far. they won their last 2 games and bobby cox got his 2000th win last night. they are playing the yanks and red sox back to back the week after you get back.
Re: francoeur vs facebook
they are in 3rd place, 5.5 games back from philly and are 28-28 right now. over
Wow
So many experiences, so many new friends, and so many more tarantulas!!! Can't wait to hear the long version of all. Enjoy your last few days, Michael. Sounds like you're ending on a wonderful note.
I love you,
Mom