Made it to Puerto Maldonado

After many delays, I've arrived at the Fauna Forever headquarters. I'm getting ready to be briefed and set out to my station tomorrow morning for 2 weeks. I'll be keeping a journal (I hope) and write when I can. Already seen owl monkeys and a fellow bunk mate (below).


Love to all.

Friday meshes into Saturday

My sleep at the Lima airport rivaled that at the Qatar. This time, there were no chairs since. I have been unable to check in so I am not the departure terminal and therefore STILL lugging the bags around. I feel I found what was "the sleeping place"described by fellow travelers in Lonely Planet: a hallway leading to the security gate.

A few Peruvian men line the floor, already snoring with a newspaper to cover the face as a passerby reads the news he is sheltered with. A cluster of young female travelers sit awkwardly and another young man busies himself inflating his travel pillow. Allowing my overstuffed backpack to crash to the floor, I envision what a nice back rest it would make. Crouching to the ground, I thought this is something I should have done in my 20's but here I am in my 30's, making my nest on the hard surface. But honestly, I don't think I would have been comfortable enough to do this in my 20's and would  probably resemble the uptight cluster of female travelers perched at the end of the hall.

Amazed at how quickly I doze off, I was awake just as easily to pillow man using his hand pump unceasingly. He's blowing up an air mattress! You go dude! Maybe I should have whipp out my sleeping bag...

My next sleep-cycle breaking noises are more common - floors being buffed, luggage being dragged. Gazing around, the entire hallway was lined with folks as sleepy as I. It's Saturday; a day to prove just as lengthy as Friday.

So close but still so far...

I know at this time tomorrow, I'll be in my new home for the next two weeks. Or at least on a boat to Tambopata or wandering Puerto Maldonado in search of knee-boots. But for now, I pace the one-chambered terminal in the Fort Lauderdale airport. Drank some coffee, harassed at TSA agent (per my father's suggestion since we all know I would never do anything of that nature :)

But once I leave here I wait again; this time in Lima. I only just realized I will be needing to claim all my checked bags before finding a spot to sleep in the airport and check into  my next flight tomorrow morning. Those of you who helped me yesterday can stop laughing at any point now!

Peru - Version 2.0

Hola! I return to Peru this coming Friday, August 22. For those of you who did not know me then or do not recall, my yearly traveling really solidified in 2011 with my first trip to Peru. A two week tour with G Adventures that included Lake Titicaca, the Lares Trek through the Andes, Cusco and Machu Picchu, Tambopata in the Amazon and strangers who became instant friends. This trip altered me completely, and I've been on the move ever since!

This year, I return to Tambopata for two weeks to do volunteer research in the jungle with Fauna Forever. Of course herps are my passion, as I completely geeked out on them last time, but as you can see, bats have earned a fond spot in my heart. So I pick up my books, boots and bat gear with plans to migrate into the dense jungle and see what nocturnal mammals await me.

But first, the shrapnel covering my upstairs floor (a.k.a. my belongings) need to find a way to consolidate themselves into my trusty steed of a backpack. Much work to do before the adventure begins.

I will try to keep up posts when I can, so please check in.

All my love,

Lindsay

Spotted Any Rabbits Lately? - Washington City Paper (2013)

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2013/11/07/d-c-needs-you-to-help-it-track-bunnies/