Project Peru

Notes from the Trail

Flourishing In the Flooded Forest

After spending six weeks winding our way from river to river and town to town in the flooded Peruvian Amazon, I will leave this place far more amazed than I ever anticipated at the way plants, animals, and people... May 6, 2005

Vanishing Cultures In a Changing Forest.

The last week of Project Peru has been different because we have spent a lot of our time in communities learning how people survive in the flooded forest. When we were in Chicago visiting schools in March, we told... May 4, 2005

The Changing Amazon

We've spent the last week or so hopping from village to village every few days, constantly meeting new people, making new friends, and always learning more and more about life in the flooded forest. One question that is always... May 2, 2005

A Long Day Ends With a Warm Welcome In Yarina

Yesterday, we paddled 56 kilometers in 11 hours, and the light of a cooking fire signaled our late-night arrival to the small Cocama community of Yarina. We stretched our stiff legs, which had not touched terra firma in over... April 29, 2005

Lake El Dorado

Lake El Dorado - wow! You told us to spend extra time here looking for animals. I'm happy to report that the lake named for its beautiful golden sunsets has lived up to its reputation as a great place... April 27, 2005

Traveling to Lake El Dorado

It felt great to climb back in our canoes yesterday and continue our journey through the flooded forest. However, before we could start paddling we had to carry our canoes and all of our supplies over a swath of... April 25, 2005

Life in Transition: Planes, Trains and Lanchas

"Finish Samiria River. Go to headwaters of the Yanayacu River." I admit, our trip plan lacked detail. As it turns out, getting six people, all of our food and gear, and 750 pounds of dugout canoes to go where... April 22, 2005

Under the Hot, Hot Sun

The sun baked us to a crisp yesterday as we sped along the Maranon River from the mouth of the Samiria River to the town of Nauta. The trip took about seven hours, and I spent most of the... April 20, 2005

A Change of Plans

We've turned on the afterburners these past couple of days--two days of paddling, to be precise--and we've made it 72 miles down the river in that short time. The heat and sun have been brutal and unrelenting, and our... April 18, 2005

Deep into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Ten days of hard paddling have brought us deep into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Our bodies are adjusting to the wear and tear of life in the rainforest, our group is coming together as a team, and we are... April 15, 2005

A night and day filled with spiders, ants and pigs

It's day number five in the jungle for the expedition team, and we're having a heck of a time! We picked an interesting place to camp last night. Warren, our local guide, chose a location a few hundred yards... April 13, 2005

The Flooded Forest Lives Up To Its Name!

When we left the ranger station in Santa Rosa and began paddling down the Samiria River, the river was near the top of the river bank, but the forest was not flooded. After a few hours I wondered if... April 11, 2005

Let the Paddling Begin!

Today was the day we were all waiting for! After months of packing and planning, days of flying, lancha-ing (boat riding) and, finally, hiking, we made our way to the Samiria River, hastily unloaded our gear into three dugout... April 8, 2005

Some serious hang time!

We have spent the last three days swinging in our hammocks, talking with fellow passengers, and observing the river and its inhabitants. Our five-person crew has joined over 200 Peruvians for the trip by lancha from Iquitos to Lagunas.... April 6, 2005