Although the days are very long here in Nicaragua, the last 3 weeks have come and gone quite fast. While I’ve traveled a good amount in the last couple years, this experience was like none of the others. Below is a list of 21 things I’ve learned during my time here.
- I am no longer a member of the arachnophobia club
- Hammocks are a great idea until you fall asleep in them at night and mosquitoes attack you
- Never ever say no to leftovers
- Bring a light source into the bathroom at night, as the generator may and probably will turn off during a shower
- Embrace the humidity and mud of the rainforest and the trails
- A compass and knee high boots were the best investment I’ve ever made
- Anti-malaria pills will induce strange, eerie nightmares
- Positivity will go a long way and is contagious
- Spiders back at home are quite small and harmless
- Having no phone around is freedom
- Bring an extra mp3 player, as you never know when yours will break the second you get on the plane
- Bring lots and lots of trail mix and a big jar of peanut butter next time you travel
- A giant toad is probably hiding in the scary crevice you’re searching, and you will definitely think it’s a leaf
- The under story is thick with vegetation beyond imagination
- Canoe rides down the Rio Bartola at night are always a good idea
- Time management is key to a field research project
- Seeing a sloth in the wild is a dream come true
- I know very little about how natural behaviors actually function
- Identifying birds is fun
- I can successfully wake up from my watch beeping while wearing ear plugs
- If you see a bullet ant nest, start running
The rainforest is an incredible place, and any words I have will not do it justice, but these lessons learned I will bring back home. I’m very grateful for such a life changing experience in such a location full of life and serenity.