The Beginning....

Four staff members, 200 stairs, and over 60lbs of beans. That’s how base camp started to become alive after the three weeks inter phase break. Staff arrived early to clean and organize camp for the 19 incoming volunteers. The food order arrived at our port, bringing enough chickpeas to last 10 weeks and enough veggies to get us through the next week. As much fun as we had carrying all the food up the 200 stairs during the hot mid-day sun (and, we did have fun..), the real fun began on Monday when the volunteers arrived. Despite some minor government issues, the group was eager and excited to be in Ecuador- and particularly to live in the Amazon! Finding their jungle feet has truly built up an appetite because I’ve never served so many seconds of lentils, red beans, and soya before. And, when not eating or learning about our new projects (butterflies and mammals) everyone is gathering their field kit for a walk. Slightly less informative than the intro Ecology walk and talk, but just as much fun, the night stream walk became a quick favourite thus far. The Tailless Whip Scorpions (Amplypygids), variety of frogs, and stream dwellers entice full curiousity and attention, distracting everyone from the intimidation of walking in the jungle at night. Already James has a keen eye for frogs, Kristen has braved a Tailless Whip Scorpion (Amplypygids), Laura has perfected her frog catching skills and Hayley found her balance. No one backed down when needing to wade hip deep in the stream and although we returned to camp slightly damp- everyone is ready for the next walk.

Melanie Forbes - GVI Amazon long term intern, July to December 2010

The Beginning....