Sunday Fun-day

 Finding fruits in the forest...

 ...banana and mango trees?...

...Jackpot!

Climbing trees with the local kids...

...who snagged me this jaca fruit - delicious!

Futebol with the locals

No Pé da Serra

Ecoprojeto da Piatã

Flores da Chapada Diamantina

Aqui Reina o Amor

My experience at Sitio Gaya left me more full than when I arrived. I gained knowledge that otherwise would have been hard to come by; knowledge that I will keep with me for the rest of my life, and knowledge that I will use. More importantly I left with new friends, ones that I hope to see again soon but probably will not; ones that I hope to one day be able to call my colleagues; ones with whom I will forever share the memories of "aqui reina o amor." I left Sitio Gaya full of knowledge, friendship, and love but have somehow managed to save at least some room for what lies ahead. I can only hope that the next place I visit is able to offer the same amount of reciprocity as this one, but am afraid that the saying "far and few between" may be the case. Hopefully not, but if so than I am grateful to have had this experience, and am even more happy to have met new people in my life who I can now call friends.

www.projetogaya.com

Backyard Adventures II

Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina, Brasil

Vale do Cachoeirão

Vale da Fumacinha (from top)

 Vale da Fumacinha (from bottom)

 Fumacinha

Rio Preto (Mucugê)

Fire on the Mountain

Fighting fire in the mountains - one of the last things I expected - has become a common occurence in the Chapada this season. A major drought combined with high winds and a local population with simple knowledge of fire prevention and awareness has created major problems. The most significant problem has been protecting the land that my hosts and I live on and depend for our livelihood. There has been only one instance in which protecting the land by fighting fire has been an absolute necessity, but the smoke and illumination of the night sky are constant reminders of the present danger and sensitivity of the land. It seems the only things that will prevent continued fires are rain and increased awareness of fire prevention within the native population; hopefully both are realized in order to save the Chapada region from further destruction.