The Last Remaining Light

The Amazon has been my favorite experience so far. I loved the Tiputini Research Station. The best part about the whole place was that it was so untouched. There were paths and some lights installed, but over all, nothing. We woke up every morning to monkeys and all sorts of birds outside of our cabins every morning. It was incredible to be there.

The mornings and afternoons were fun because we could see so much of the wildlife and the plants. But at night, when it was clear, that´s when you really get to see something that isn´t in Ohio: the stars and the Milky Way. Sure, we can see some in Ohio, but not as clear or as many as there were there.

The Amazon became a special place for some of us because it became a place of bonding, massages, keeping up our neighbors, Pete Oxford´s British humor and  his giant camera, and...Well, Mike McGinty...But that´s another story. But possibly the best day was the last day we were there:

We started off the morning with the normal hike in the forest. Our guide, Romero, the guide of all guides, somehow spotted a sloth (Cross off bucket list. Next on list: to hold one.). It was practically impossible to see from the ground, but somehow he saw our mossy, fuzzy friend.

We had lunch, then when for a dip in the Tiputini River. It was rather refreshing even though we really couldn´t see what we were swimming with, but that was just another part of the adventure. We really didn´t care about the big stuff that could have been swimming with us. We were a little paranoid about the candiru, though (I suggest looking it up and using it to scare kids into not peeing in the pool).

The best part of that day was the night time. Two others and I sat down at the dock and watched the sun set over the river and the forest together listening to Jason Mraz and just soaking in moment. Slowly the stars came out and the faint arm of the Milky Way was right above us. The jungle became more alive with its nocturnal critters and they sang us their songs from a distance. It was so refreshing to just sit and listen and reflect on where we were and what we were doing. I really hope that one day I can return to the station and do research there.