My nephew Joe is taking an international studies course in Ecuador. Here’s his latest message.From: Joe
Sent: Sunday, November 9 2003 15:34:11
Subject: San Lorenzo, Chocó, Rio Bogotá, and the gringas.
HOLA ENFERMERA (or, hello nurse!),
Anyway, I had the most amazing weekend of my entire life!
We first went to San Lorenzo which is a coastal town about (——) that far from Colombia. But could we cross the border? Nooooooooooooo! Sissy Kzoo staff. Anyway, we hung out in the manglar forests there and climbed around like monkeys. Well, mostly I was a monkey, but the others WANTED to be like monkeys. We also swam in the sea off the coast of the Isla de San Pablo, or Pedro, or something like that. The weather was amazing and the boat ride was marvelous.
That night we drove to Durango, which is a ‘town’, I guess, but I only saw one building. Anyway, it was about 19h00 and getting dark, so what did we do? Broke out the flashlights and hiked 4 hours through the rain forest, that’s what!! It was amazing. I was tired, I was sweaty, I was hungry, but by golly we all made it to the Rio Bogotá, where we took a quick swim to cool off and went to bed in this lovely wooden building located just feet from the river. The next day was filled with hiking along the river, looking at the jungle and its flora and fauna. After lunch, we set about the task of making our transportion back to civilization: rafts. With a couple locals, we went into the jungle, cut down 8 trees, stripped them of bark, and dragged/carried them to the river. That’s Ecuadoran ecology for ya. The next morning we assembled the rafts, put all of our things aboard, and set out on the 8 hour ride to San Fransisco. I can’t explain it properly, all I can say is that the ride was amazing and the entire jungle experience makes me want to get the heck out of Quito, asap.
After my jungle adventures two gringas were awaiting my arrival in Quito. Kim and Melissa, two friends from my place of business in the states came on a visit to ecuador. Together we visited Baños, everyones favorite tourist location. They now find themselves somewhere in the middle of the Amazon jungle. I hope their jungle times are as amazing as mine.
So, I feel I have burned enough of your time, take care everyone. Hopefully I have attached some pictures for your enjoyment.
Joe
Sent: Sunday, November 9 2003 15:34:11
Subject: San Lorenzo, Chocó, Rio Bogotá, and the gringas.
HOLA ENFERMERA (or, hello nurse!),
Anyway, I had the most amazing weekend of my entire life!
We first went to San Lorenzo which is a coastal town about (——) that far from Colombia. But could we cross the border? Nooooooooooooo! Sissy Kzoo staff. Anyway, we hung out in the manglar forests there and climbed around like monkeys. Well, mostly I was a monkey, but the others WANTED to be like monkeys. We also swam in the sea off the coast of the Isla de San Pablo, or Pedro, or something like that. The weather was amazing and the boat ride was marvelous.
That night we drove to Durango, which is a ‘town’, I guess, but I only saw one building. Anyway, it was about 19h00 and getting dark, so what did we do? Broke out the flashlights and hiked 4 hours through the rain forest, that’s what!! It was amazing. I was tired, I was sweaty, I was hungry, but by golly we all made it to the Rio Bogotá, where we took a quick swim to cool off and went to bed in this lovely wooden building located just feet from the river. The next day was filled with hiking along the river, looking at the jungle and its flora and fauna. After lunch, we set about the task of making our transportion back to civilization: rafts. With a couple locals, we went into the jungle, cut down 8 trees, stripped them of bark, and dragged/carried them to the river. That’s Ecuadoran ecology for ya. The next morning we assembled the rafts, put all of our things aboard, and set out on the 8 hour ride to San Fransisco. I can’t explain it properly, all I can say is that the ride was amazing and the entire jungle experience makes me want to get the heck out of Quito, asap.
After my jungle adventures two gringas were awaiting my arrival in Quito. Kim and Melissa, two friends from my place of business in the states came on a visit to ecuador. Together we visited Baños, everyones favorite tourist location. They now find themselves somewhere in the middle of the Amazon jungle. I hope their jungle times are as amazing as mine.
So, I feel I have burned enough of your time, take care everyone. Hopefully I have attached some pictures for your enjoyment.
Joe
Joe, at top left
Joe, second from left
