Tuesday: 9am - the guests arrive with Kris and Doug Thompkins in two planes that are now parked outside of our cafeteria. They surprised us with asking for breakfast, at which Matt and I were pretty stoked on how quickly we wrangled one together and managed to somehow get everyone fed and watered despite a lack of sufficient materials. Picture us running from one end of the estancia to the other looking for eggs and bread while serving coffee, tea, fruit, etc... somebody needs to get us a golf cart! Fun though to be suddenly thrown into work. I, for one, am enjoying the pace... and yet looking forward to some rest at the end of it all.
Tuesday: 1am - wrap up the day after working pretty much solidly through. Bar women. That I am. 15 hour day. Whew!
Wednesday: At the lodge by 7am... packed lunches for a few, lunch to be served at the main house for the rest. I got lucky enough to go hiking in the morning with a few people, including Bruce Babbit and his lovely wife, Hattie. Bruce, despite having had knee replacement surgery in August, managed to go 6 kilometers straight up Tamanguito (a nearby peak) before he and I turned around to come back down. I had a wonderful conversation with him on the way down. It's great to be surrounded by so many heavy hitters in the conservation world. We ended up chatting about Amazon Conservation Association, which I had no idea he was involved in and with whom I have been chatting about bringing Broadreach groups to do community service work in Peru. What a small world. Sitting on the side of the mountain with him, chatting about the scenery, service work, and how the apples we were eating were a nice break from walking was an incredible way to spend a morning. The afternoon was filled with preparations for an asado (BBQ) and then the actual asado, which was spectacular. Two roasting sheep on the side of a fire over which chorizo was roasting made my mouth water... scarfed down a choripan and some lamb meat before realizing I forgot to bring the wine to the asado (DANG... sorry everyone) and then running back to the lodge to get ready for an evening chat with Bruce for everyone. Bruce is a captivating speaker and it was incredible to be in a room with him, Doug Thompkins, Hansjoerg Wyss, and so many other people who work so hard to protect the natural world. They definitely have differing perspectives, but in the end, are all trying to accomplish the same thing. Reverting back to a way of life that respects traditional uses of land but attempting to restore a much needed balance. Finished up last night around midnight again and went to bed feeling liked he luckiest girl in the world.
Thursday: Back at it at 7am. Breakfast. Check. Lunch. Check. Sitting here now getting ready to make a chocolate pie for dinner and run out to the greenhouses to collect micro greens (MMMM!!!!) for a salad.
In other news, I have a baby lamb named Mota to take care of. We found her in the middle of a field, abandoned last week, and she is a week old now. I'll try to throw up some pics of her soon. I don't think I've ever been in love like this. When Paula leaves on Sunday, hopefully I will retain full custody. Jim, one of the volunteers, says I'll last a week... HAH!
Love this place, these people, and these mountains.
Just reading your blog for the first time. Your dad told me about it. Our Jessica is in Montpellier this semester and doing a blog too "Be Here Now" Anyway, the name of Bruce Babbitt was familiar and now I recall why. My niece has been in a movie with him. She lives in California. I'm always seeing them in pictures together. Are you also on Facebook? I'll check to see if you can "friend" her and see those. Small world...this huge world! And both our daughters are too far from home :-(
ReplyDeleteKate Kate,
ReplyDeleteKeep up the wonderful updates. I check almost daily (when i get on my computer). I'm trying to picture everything in my head but having such a hard, hard time. If there were only a way in which I could visualize such a beautiful place more easily... if only.
looking forward to being reunited!
Still waking up at 4am and suffering jet lag after returning from France where we visited our Jessica and other friends in Switzerland. My head is adjusting enough to realize I was all wrong about who Bruce Babbitt is. I enjoyed reading your post and will look back at the others. What a wonderful experience you are having! I love it when Bethel-onians go far and wide and do such impressive things. Thanks for sharing through this blog.
ReplyDeleteKate! I am so enjoying these updates of your amazing experience. Living vicariously off of your experiences renews my belief in the world that can be... You express yourself beautifully - THANKS!
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