By Edgar BearAs we were walking within the thickness of the Amazon Rainforest, it began to rain. I’m not talking about a few drops here and there; I’m talking about strong, heavy, rain. We were soaked instantly.
Now, Some would consider this a negative experience. To an extent, I admit that I didn’t enjoy the fact that my clothes got entirely wet, yet, as cousin Dave put it, “it makes the experience more real.” I agree. Not only were we able to see and walk about a portion of what is the largest rainforest on the planet that hosts one of ten known species of plants and animals in the world, we were able to experience one of the most important factors that gives life to the Amazon. ...................................................................................................... The day before, we visited a town that left me in wonder, Papallacta. Driving through it was an experience in itself. The luscious green mountains had clouds hovering all about. Each cloud highlighted the beauty of the mountains that continued far beyond what we could see. Papallacta, a town that requires one to wear a jacket, is known for its hot springs. David and I, almost shivering, decided to check out this natural phenomenon. So, we entered a local spot and saw the water’s heat rising; all this in the middle of cold. Let me tell you that as soon as one enters the warm and refreshing water, all of life’s issues seem to disappear. There is a peace that flows through. ...................................................................................................... The following day we left for the Amazon Rainforest. It would be silly of us who are Driving Latinoamerica to not visit one of the most important and diverse pieces of land in the world. Once we arrived to a town by the name of Misahuallí, we ran across a few Chileans and one Argentinian. We were all looking to walk about the Amazon. Next, we met a local who said he could give us a ride on his boat and guide us in order that we may experience the rainforest. We all jumped into the boat, and instantly, the experience was captivating. It felt like a scene from a movie that depicts the Amazon except, of course, there were no natives shooting darts at us. The boat moved along as we saw all sorts of variety of trees along the water’s edge. For miles, throughout, one would see green as the trees seemed to stand above the others due to the mountains surrounded the rivers. After about a 45-minute boat ride, we stopped and began our first trek into the thickness of the rainforest. At this first location, we arrived at what is known as Amazoonica. It is a place of refuge for local animals and a place that helps prevent deforestation and helps preserve the rainforest. Locals and foreigners come through to serve, to help the cause. At this location, we were able to see a variety of birds, monkeys, crocodiles, turtles, plants, trees, and insects. It is incredible to see the ever-changing diversity as one walks. There are leaves all over the ground that help nourish the earth, all sorts of animals and insects that then are prey to another variety of animals. About an hour and a half later, we got on the boat, and after eating, we went to another part of the rainforest. As soon as we arrived it began to rain. We were instantly soaked. We picked huge leaves from a nearby plant to help block the rain, but the shower was too strong. It was to no avail. This area had a completely different look and feel than that of the former location. The ground we walked on felt different (not simply because of the rain) and there were unique variety of trees, of insects, fruits, and animals. Here we were able to see some of the ingenious practices that the natives used to hunt and to trap a selection of animals ranging from pumas to snakes. An example of how to trap an animal would be encircling an area while leaving an opening. Within the opening would lie both a piece of food and a trip wire that once moved, would suddenly impulse a tree onto the animal that would cause the animal to instantly die which would then result in food for the natives. Soon after, we visited a community of historically indigenous people who resume to live in the rainforest but many of whom do not continue to dress in their traditional clothes. Here, we were witnesses to a traditional dance and were given a taste of food and drink. Both delicious. Then some of the kids wanted to play with us, so we played their instruments and I, at a different time, played soccer with the kids. Subsequently, we went home. ...................................................................................................... Something that I cannot stop thinking about when it comes to the Amazon that also concerns each one of us is the importance of the land to our survival. Now, I don’t by any means consider myself a hippie nor the negative portrayal that comes with a tree hugger. But to say that we do not depend on the land for our survival is ridiculous. As hard as it may sound for some of us who can be considered hyper individualist and independent, we are by no means independent. We are dependent every single instant of our lives. Right now every human is dependent on water they did not create, food they ate, oxygen, and so on. All this is part of the cycle of nature that if we mistreat, can affect the livelihood of people. If deforestation continues in the amazon, all sorts of animals, insects, and plants are affected. Not only so, but humans are affected as well. In the same way, if we continue to negatively affect the nature around us, we will also be negatively affected: example, flint Michigan. The mistreatment of water has brought about poisonous water to a harassed and neglected community onslaught by those in power who still have yet to act. As Christian I am called to be a steward of the land. Being that I consider this land to be His, it is important that I be a good steward that does not abuse what He has given us because not only would that be disobedience, but it is also affecting my fellow neighbor who I am to love while affecting future generations and my own source of survival. A Quick Reflection on Our TravelsBy Edgar BearAfter driving through nine countries in four months, we finally arrived at middle of the world.
After driving through mountains, forests, rain, fog, the coast, at night, tired, during the day, full of energy, and after meeting and conversing with great people, we arrived at the middle of world in Ecuador: the equator; latitude 0 0' 0.” How does it feel? It is as though we have achieved a goal. Yet, at the same time, we have a lot of road to cover. As I reflect, yes, the middle of the world is something to be in awe about. It is a place of beauty where north, south, east, and west meet. It is a location that can be surprisingly chilly. Surprising, because my entire life I was told the equator (near Quito Ecuador) was hot. Nah. It’s chilly, and at night, it can get cold. Yet, as to our drive, it can be seen as a representation of our halfway point. During our first half of our drive, we experienced much. We have had long conversation with locals from eight countries about all sorts of topics from politics, to religion, relationships, travel, work, nature, science, and family. We have also had great times in laughter from laughing nonstop to laughing about ourselves, our differences, our expressions, laughing about jokes, and about life. We have felt the love of the people by way of hospitality where we are received with kisses, kind words, a place to sleep, and with food. As to food, we have tried all sorts of vegetables, meat, candy, fruit, drinks, types of rice, and bread; the names are hard to remember. Yet, each plate of food is unique. As I reflect, I have learned much. I began this trip with my own prejudices and thoughts of an area. Yet, as I meet people and get to know them; as I laugh and joke with them; as I share my thoughts and beliefs and they share theirs; and as I see the impressive ever-changing looks that nature presents as one moves about, I am left longing, in awe, and with a desire to continue. I am left longing because I desire for my friends, my family, immigrants, the people that I grew up with that have said and continue to say racist things; basically I desire that all people from all backgrounds get to know the different cultures of the people and land that I have come to love and appreciate. I desire for them to know the goodness of the people despite the disagreements in politics and religious beliefs. One person does not represent a people as a whole. I am left in awe for two reasons: the first reason is nature and the second the misrepresentation of the people from Latin-American countries. In regards to nature, yes, I can understand why Latinoamérica can seem so, “the same,” but that is the furthest thing from the truth. By simply travelling a few miles in any country, there is increasing difference in nature. Countries that I thought nothing of, I have come to find out are rich in beauty ranging from mountains, trees, ocean, lakes, rivers, and sky. I am of the people who believe that God reveals who He is in nature. And as I travel, I have been left in awe of the goodness of His creation. Regarding the misrepresentation of the people, I don’t know how many times I’ve been told to not go to Mexico, yet it was safe. I have heard people believe all Latinos are Mexican and believe that all Latinos look the same; far from true. There are those of African descent, those who are whiter than Carrot Top, there are Asians, indigenous and there are all sorts of mixed races. But don’t get me wrong, I am not one of those people who lives in a false reality who doesn’t know how to go about cites and thinks everything is perfect. Not at all. But the things we often hear and believe about Latin-Americans are often far wrong. A great example would be Colombia. There is a tremendous fear of entering that country to the point that some have come to believe that there is cocaine on every corner. Not true. The largest majority of the population happens to be good people, but like in all places, there are those who cause harm. So, I am in awe of the misrepresentation. However, at the same time, I need say, I am in awe of the goodness of the people. Lastly, there is a desire to continue the journey. The drive is not over as of yet. We have eight countries to cover, each one having its own type of diversity in regards to nature and people. I am looking forward to the new sights, knowledge, music, family practices, and different forms of hospitality and love. But going back to the halfway point, as I reflect, as of yet, I am ultimately left with a thank you. I would like to thank the people who have helped us along the way. And I thank God for having given me the opportunity to experience His beauty in nature and the diversity of the people created. By David Leija“Passport? Check. Guitar? Check. Backpack? Check. Fuimonos!” I struggled as I crawled out the back door of the van looking like Jim Carey being birthed by the rhino in Ace Ventura, When Nature Calls. I had just parked the van inside the shipping container and had to squeeze my way out the back around both these heavy duty security drawers that my cousin drilled into the van and this makeshift shower made out of buckets and hoses that are in the way. As I walked out of the container and we put the lock on the door, I thought to myself. “Ya estuvo” There’s no turning back now.” We were committed. We were now vanless in Panamá until we flew over an essentially uncrossable jungle, into a different continent and made our way to pick up our van that had just been shipped by boat around said jungle. Fast forward a few amazing days (my cousin wrote about them in his blog check it out!) and we made it to the cumbia capital of the world, Colombia.
*** We woke up in the airport that morning and took a taxi to our friend’s house. The directions said something along the lines of, “Drive to this store, take a right and turn right at the big tree…” It worked; we found the place without a hitch. Disappointingly enough, the rest of the country was not necessarily like that in terms of directions although I wish it were; there’s a certain charm to it. On arrival, we were received by our new friends for life, Paulo and his parents. We had never met them before, but right away we felt the love. Paulo is a percussion student at a private university in the country’s capital –Bogotá. He was home for the holidays along with his cousin/neighbor/college roommate/guitarist and equally cool dude, Andrés. Andrés lived next door with his family and grandparents as well as his little brother – my lil’ tocayo , and the coolest and most trucha 14 year old ever, Juan David. These were the folks we were going to unintentionally spend the next two weeks with. Little did we know that we were yet to meet one of the coolest people we’ve ever met, Liney –she just happened to be at work that morning at the engineering firm. We went into the house looking like a hot mess from having slept at the airport that night. The heat of the Caribbean port-city had me feeling extra sluggish, so after conversing for a bit, we took a nap and woke up for breakfast and sobremesa (conversing during and after the meal). Mrs. Arciniega made sure to make us a different traditional meal every day along with a different flavored water/juice. This was just a taste of the hospitality that was to come. We fell in love with Colombia quicker than you can say patacón. Once I awakened from my slumber, I stepped outside to a whole lot of sunshine and music. The next day, and the day after that, were the same -so much so, that if there wasn’t music blasting from the neighbor’s house… something wasn’t right. It didn’t seem to bother anyone though. This was just the way things were. These were my people. Cartagena was the place where everyone was just as ruidoso as me. As I walked the streets and talked to people, I realized that Colombia wasn’t so different from Mexico. In fact, I find solace in that we face similar issues and have found that we get along perfectly. Colombia has such a strong culture and just like Mexico, it differs greatly from region to region. The area that we were in is known for its delicious food; its vivacious, friendly, beautiful people; and probably the most internationally known of its musical styles, vallenato. Vallenato is considered an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO just like mariachi is in Mexico. Colombia has such a strong culture in every sense of the word, it needs no comparison (I know, I know I just compared it… but you know what I mean) Colombia is Colombia –what more can you want from a place? As if that weren’t enough, 87% of the people that were surveyed in Colombia reported that they were happy, thus making it the happiest country in the world for 2016, according to WIN/Gallup International Association’s annual global end of the year survey. This joy is easy to see when walking down the streets of historic downtown Cartagena. As we walked on top of the murals that surround the city while sipping on tinto, we felt this ever-present elation. One of my favorite moments in Cartagena, and in my life, was walking along the shore, on top of the walls as the sun set on the ocean. There are little windows along the wall where couples go to enjoy the sounds of the city, juxtaposed with the waves crashing along the walls. If there’s a place where you’re going to catch feelings… that’s one of them. ¡Aguas! Walk a little further into the downtown area and you’ll run into one of the many plazas named after Simon Bolivar, The Liberator. At night there are cultural shows on the street with folkloric afro-colombian dances and traditional music. Make sure you find a tintero on the way so that you can sip on some delicious black coffee that will get you all up in your feelings. Fortunately for me, we did this a lot since we ended up staying so long. We tried to pick up the van at the port and ran into some difficulties that my cousin discusses in his blog, Panama. We originally planned to stay in Cartagena for about three days, and then spend the new year in Barranquilla (hometown of Shakira, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Sophia Vergara) but we’ve since stopped planning things because our plans NEVER work out (kidding… kind of). Through it all, the Arciniega family was incredibly amazing and supportive. We felt bad because we didn’t want to overstay our welcome, but the Arciniegas made us feel so at home that, honestly, we felt like we were part of the family. The time came for us to leave; we had our van. We didn’t know where exactly we were going to stay in the next city just yet, but the wind was blowing South and the road was calling our names -but not before one last adventure per the request of Mrs. Arciniega. She told Edgar and I that she wanted to take a little trip to the ocean with the family. So, the next day, we packed the whole family -I’m talking parents, abuelitos, cousins, aunts –everybody, into the van and took a road trip to Playa Blanca on the Caribbean coast –all ten of us for one last adventure. Although it had only been two weeks, I felt like I had known these people all my life. We’d shared meals, music and endless conversations. Our time in Cartagena was over, but our love for Colombia had just begun. As goofy as it may sound, I had my doubts throughout the first seven countries on this beast of a roadtrip. I always knew we would put every ounce of energy into this project and do everything humanly possible to keep going, but it wasn’t until we shipped the van around the Darien Gap and flew over the infamous jungle that I felt closure in that we were in this until we reached our goal at the end of the world. The whole process of crossing into Colombia is really a preamble to what lies ahead, and we could not have had a better welcoming to South America than Colombia. Now, as we make our way onto our 9th country, it feels as though the more borders we cross, the less mental borders we have; the further we travel, the bigger the dream gets. Paulo Coelho once wrote, “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” So why not dream big? Whatever that may mean to you. We’re told this from the time we’re toddlers but do we really believe it? I’m not sure if I’ve ever dreamt so big in my life but with a little help from the people around me, I now dare to dream big, as should you. Now that we’ve started, we’re not stopping. We’ve officially passed the point of no return (at least in my mind) and are ready for anything. I entered South America with uncertainty. Now, my only uncertainty is if we’re ever going to leave this place we’ve grown to love. |
DavidMuchacho simpatico EdgarEdgar is Christian. He loves soccer, traveling, and meeting new people. Archives
July 2016
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