Hello All,

It’s really incredible how slow time moves here. My day starts with either the explosion of rain on our tin roof or the ominous shrieking of Mantled Howler Monkeys.  From there I divide the time between meals with my two projects, trekking up and down canyons and wading through streams.  By the time I return to the rancho, my boots usually weigh another couple pounds from the mud that I’ve accrued in my journeys.   It is in that state that I’m now writing to you with my reflections from the past couple days.

The first thing I’ve learned in Nicaragua is the value of patience in fieldwork.  Nothing ever takes how long you think it will—sitting and waiting for an orchid bee is no exception. After twenty minutes of watching a log it is easy to get discouraged, but without notice the flash of iridescent green can make the whole wait worthwhile.

These past five days have been an exercise of perspective.  The first night, after settling into our rooms, a few of us went for our first hike.  We ventured for what seemed like quite a long time on a stretch of trail along the Rio San Juan, stopping and obsessing over every spider and frog we encountered.  In the light of day, we had barely stepped onto the trail network; the newness of our surroundings had completely captivated us.
With the beam of a headlamp, the trail paths look like diamond paved roads from the eye shine of the litter dwelling spiders.  What I wouldn’t dream of touching in the US now fascinate me beyond belief.  Driven by my awe of the immense species diversity and the smallness I feel among the towering canopy trees, I am braver and more alert than I ever imagined I would be.  I look forward to what changes I will see in the next couple weeks.

Best,

Joey