Hello from Peru!

I hope everyone is having a great first day of Spring Break! (Sorry if you’re not on Spring Break right now.) I just want to share with everyone what I am up to during my Spring Break.

I’m enrolled in a course called “Peru: Sustainable Development, Democracy and Human Rights” through the UMD Short Term Study Abroad Program.

We’re just now in the beginning part of our trip, and we’ve spent the last 3 days in the Amazon jungle in the Madre De Dios region. We’re staying at an ecolodge called Posada Amazonas to learn about the native Infierno community, the work they do for ecotourism, and the ecosystem of the Tampobata region.

Today, we went on 4 different hikes, walked over 10 miles on difficult terrains, sat in on several scary boat rides, and had a lot of interesting experiences. Here are my two favorites:

1. Hiking in the Flood Plains Forest in the Tambopata River Basin. It really is walking through a swamp. As you can see, I got a part of Peru in my shoes. This hike is especially special because the local guides wanted to show us a special Ceba tree, which is so huge that it won’t even fit in a panoramic. This tree is supposed to  be the biggest in their forest region and believed to be tied to a lot of spirituality and beliefs.

2. I also got this opportunity to make a new furry friend! Meet Lucas the Capuchin! I saw him when my group and I went to see a Fish Farm the locals are starting up. This business aims to bring in tourists who wants to learn more about the Infierno community by eating at their restaurant for authentic food and learning how to fish with bow and arrow. Definitely did not expect to see a friendly little monkey there!

Well, that’s it for now since wifi is spotty, and we have 4:30am wake up calls!

To be continued…