Baby steps

The first step in starting my research began long before I set foot in Ecuador. I researched on the web and read numerous books on the rainforest and indigenous peoples. Information on the Achuar was quite limited at that time. I prepared outlines and questions for my interviews with the Achuar. I also spend many hours in my attempt to learn Spanish.  There was also the preparation for the trip itself.

Now that I will be returning to the rainforest, I am remembering what I had to do to prepare for my first research trip.  I checked with the health department to find out what immunizations were required and what were recommended. Recommended were Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Rabies, MMR, and Tetanus. I decided I needed the rabies protection, since I would be staying in the communities. Ten Achuar children died from rabies transmitted by vampire bats in Morona Santiago province in 2011. This is the area where I would be staying. It is not possible to get the needed immunizations in Yuma, AZ. I had to travel to El Centro, CA. I visited my primary provider for scripts for mefloqunine, cipro, an anti-dirrheal, and an anti-fungal cream. I also needed an adequate supply of my regular scripts.

Then came the decisions about what to take. I was allowed 25 pounds. The last legs of the journey to Kapawi ecolodge are in a small aircraft and then a canoe. Less is more when traveling that way. Packing was very challenging.  I would be staying in Kapawi for 7 weeks. The lodge provided a list of suggestions for the tourists that visit for a 3 or 5 days stay. Three changes of clothes and knee socks. limited personal items.That was a start. Eco-friendly shampoo/soap would be provided at the lodge. Electricity would be available for recharging cameras. What is important is long sleeves, long pants, and knee-high socks to help prevent insect bites.  I would need lots of flashlight batteries, insect repellent and hand sterilizer. One mistake I made was to take my lace-up hiking shoes. After one hike in the rain they never dried out! I packed and repacked many times, continually triaging and eliminating items. Surprising what  you can manage without when you have a 25 pound limit! What I will take this time is powdered gator aide and chocolate.

My journey from Yuma to phoenix to Miami to Quito went well. I arrived at the hotel late and had an early morning meeting with the Kapawi staff in the Quito office. We reviewed the logistics and discussed the parameters of the project. Fortunately, their English was better than my Spanish. Since we were meeting for the first time, it was a relief to find such able, helpful, and cordial staff. The following day was sightseeing around Quito and dinner with   Sebastian, our Ecuadorian naturalist guide from 2008. We had a wonderful visit and he gave me guidance regarding my stay in the communities.

Next, the bus ride through the Valley of Volcanos to reach Shell, Ecuador

e-version

"The Achuar of the Pastaza River" is now available in e-version. It is available on Amazon.com. Kindle Edition Auto-delivered wirelessly

To convert a print book to e version format is time consuming. I thought removing page numbers was all I would have to do. I found out it is much more. There are many format and font issues. Especially when there are photos and captions. I decided to pay for the service. That did not work out as well as it could have. The conversion process took two 2 months. There were many wrinkles in the process.

The importance of an e-version out weighs the frustration and personal time involved in producing it. The book will now be more accessible and portable. Ecotourists, naturalist guides and volunteers going to the Amazon can download the book at any time. It is a great resource. I hope it is enjoyed by many.

Writing a manuscript is just a start...

My initial project was to live with the Achuar and write a book about their culture. Kapawi Manager Andrés Ordóñez arranged for me to live at the lodge and visit 6 communities. During my stay I interviewed many people, took photographs and observed the Achuar way of life.

It was a new challenge for me to be in a foreign land, not speak the native language and not be able to go anywhere without a guide. The Achuar are a warm and accepting people. I was welcomed and they tolerated my endless questions.

Little did I know that when I started this project, I would also be the publisher, and then do the conversion to e-format. I have learned much more working on the book "The Achuar of the Pastaza River" than the Achuar culture.

I will go back to Kapawi and do follow-up research and visit my Achuar friends. I miss them and look forward to seeing them again and learning more about them.

And I will have many more questions for them.