It's A Jungle Out There

My Guide, Jhonatan 

I can't even think of how to describe this place.  First of all, it is oppressively hot with temperatures and humidity in at least the high 80's. It is darn hot!  Secondly, you must wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, rubber boots (have you ever hiked in rubber boots?) and preferably a hat.  The reason for this is to protect you while in the jungle from coral snakes, fire antz, a palm tree with spikes, the very poisonous Fer de Lance, etc.  Having said all of that, it is really amazing here.  The people who I have met are incredibly knowledgeable about their jungle and willing to teach you.  The jungle itself is indescribable.  Today we hiked about 3 1/2 miles each way (in rubber boots) to a lake that was beautiful.  We saw an anteater, toucans, hoatzin birds, caracaras, hawks and a sloth that we actually were able to touch.  I have ziplined, fished for piranhas, gone night canoeing and got caught in the most amazing downpour I have ever experienced.  I met some great people including a man in his 80's (Bob) who is going through his bucket list, a young woman (Rose) who is spending a year and a half completing her thesis on the habits of the red urikari monkey and of course Cindy and Luke who have been great people to get to know and who I have hiked with AND ziplined with, and Ellis and Sarah who I accompanied on a fishing excursion - FUN!  I will be leaving in the morning.  Back to Lima for a day and then to Panama for a few days, but I will really miss this place and hope to return sometime.  I highly recommend this to everyone as it will be unlike anything you have experienced and something you'll never, ever forget - I promise!