2015 in Brazil
2015 has arrived! And how did I
spend New Years Eve in Brazil, dancing around drinking beer/vodka to classic
rock in a thunderstorm wearing a headlamp because as usual the power was
out! 2014 for me has been the year for
maturity, personal growth, hard work and going outside my comfort zone. Safe to
say it’s been one hell of an emotional year which will continue into 2015. I
have so much to look forward to as well in 2015, Including Carnival in February
and hopefully booking Iguazu Falls and Pantanal soon and also a lot more field
work followed by a 10,000 word report. Best yet even my Joe might be coming
here for July! In 2015 I will also be returning home and catching up with
everyone. In September starting final year at university with a whole new group
of classmates! Scary and exciting stuff! To sum up my new year revolutions this
year, be more charitable, try and learn more Portuguese! And tell everyone how
grateful I am for the ongoing support through 2014-2015 J.
I have talked a lot about my
emotional journey in previous blogs, but my physical journey is almost as
difficult. Doing tones of 6 hour hikes when my body isn’t used to much exercise
at all is taking its tole. First is the obvious aching muscles, I swear I ache
in places that I didn’t even knew existed. Secondly my foot! In august I badly
sprained my foot and it’s never fully recovered which mean it often hurts in
the field and I am at more risk of re-spraining it. Another occurring problem
is my knees; apparently this is a common problem among people who are abusing
their bodies going too many down-hill hikes. The only solution is apparently
aspirin, rest and some knee braces I have invested in. Not great as my research
doesn’t take rest into account and I am therefore feeling older than my
years. Another consideration when hiking
is equipment as you needs to take everything with you! Including my first aid
kit (which has come quite in handy as I’m usually the person bleeding),
Hydration pack, Fashionable waterproof pants and coat, which completely clash
and best of all quick dry tops; because despite the sophisticated woman I am ;)
women still sweat! But well I guess it’s all in the name of science right!
Despite all this the rainforest
is now becoming my second home. I almost know every inch of my 2400m transect
line including every loose branch and every slippery rock but it never seizes
to surprise. Everyday spent in the field something new and exciting always
occurs, keeping me interested whether it’s the diversity in bird choruses or
the capuchins angrily throwing fruit at me. However at times the wildlife here
tests my patience, trying to survey birds whilst dart around quick, struggling
to grasp and position binoculars, and worse of all those darn Thrushes taunting
me with their high chirped calls whilst they hide amongst dense vegetation. All
this field work has given me a good grasp of on the direction of my project. I
have decided that I am to investigate the importance frugivorous species in
fruit dispersal and how this can be used in the development of ecological
corridors and reduce the threat of fragmentation within the park. My paper aims
focus on the distribution of species in relation to fallen fruit, how size and
diet of the frugivorous effects distribution which interlinks which also
interlinks with seasonal changes and the mutualistic relationship between fruit
trees and frugivorous species. This is
something I am actually looking forward to investigating more.
One thing I think I should
mention about how disorganised Brazil as a whole is or maybe how organised
England is. Every time you do anything simple such as the supermarket or
anything queing takes about 45 minutes sometimes just to buy one item and the
till breaks every time. Technology here is terrible and that’s coming from
someone who is a technophobe. When you
have a problem you have to go to five different places. Its hard to put into
words but nothing is ever quick or simple here. Keeps me on my toes to say the
least and my teeth are beginning to grind down to my gums at times.
Recently a friend said to me that
I should forget about the once in the lifetime stuff as I can go to Brazil at
any point in the future. But also consider the fact I’ve began to appreciate the
people more at home, and he’s right in saying despite being so apart im more
close with Joe, Friends and Family than ever before. This is something I will treasure forever.
Finally one thing I want to add is how crazy the Thunderstorms have been!, it will be sunny all down and then the heavens will open. It sounds like the worlds going to end! and the flashes are light are surreal! although this is often comes with Blackouts and attracts insects, frogs and worst of all Snakes into my room! yes I found a snake into my room in which Joe had to guide out with a stick! alongside picking up the frog. I guess you can say our room is truly as wild as the rain forest itself
Finally one thing I want to add is how crazy the Thunderstorms have been!, it will be sunny all down and then the heavens will open. It sounds like the worlds going to end! and the flashes are light are surreal! although this is often comes with Blackouts and attracts insects, frogs and worst of all Snakes into my room! yes I found a snake into my room in which Joe had to guide out with a stick! alongside picking up the frog. I guess you can say our room is truly as wild as the rain forest itself
"The future belongs to
those who believe in the beauty of their dreams".- Eleanor Roosevelt
"All our dreams can come true, if
we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
"The best years
of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You
do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize
that you control your own destiny".- Albert Ellis
Last Hope – Paramore < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEm7q5feofk>
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