The Dean of Travel

Fremont Middle School 8th grade- Mrs. Whitman's writing class

Mrs. Whitman at the Fremont Middle School is having her students write reflective essays about the following photos.

Check back here to read some of the awesome writing by the students!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are random photos that I thought would make for fun writing.  I actually found the exercise interesting for myself.  When Mrs Whitman asked for some photos, it inspired me to start looking for images in a different way.  It is also very rewarding to know some of the images I am capturing are being used to stimulate creative minds! 

I am looking forward to reading what the students create! 

 

Cheers,

Dean

The Young Amazon-Apurimac River of Peru.

I am currently following as much as possible and finding key points of the longest tributary that sources the Amazon River.

Starting at the source of the Amazon in the Andes of southern Peru, I have now arrived in the port city of Pucallpa Peru.  The raging Apurimac River through narrow canyons has now become the flat and fast moving Ucayali River.

This is the Apurimac near Espinar Peru, in the highlands of the Andes. Behind me is a stone Inca bridge. 

 

Where three rivers come together to become the Apurimac in the highlands of the Andes near Espinar. 

 

The Inca bridge at Queshuachaca is rebuilt every June out of grass using traditional Inca techinques.  Below the bridge the Apurimac is a fierce raging river that would offer no merci for a mistake.

It was cold here, the altitude was around 11,000 feet.

I had the whole place to myself, getting here was no easy task. As I walk across the bridge, it swayed with each step, which had my heart beat just a little bit faster. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice.  The place is right out of a Indiana Jones movie!

 

 

The narrow Apurimac widens out, as the river carves its path through the Andes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The river races east and north to make its way to the Amazon rain basin in easteran Peru.

It was to dangerous to raft the Apuramic River near Cusco, the water was too high.  So I apoted for a ride down the Urubamba River!

 Wooohooo!  Love exploring the wilds of South America! 

The rafting trip offered the chance to meet some other travelers and have some fun for moment!

 

Where ever this finds you, I hope it brings you a smile.

 

Cheers,

Dean

 

 

 

 

Nevado Mismi, Peru, South America! The source of the Amazon River.

The Amazon River begins in the Andes of Peru!  

All good journeys have important points along the journey, and experiencing the source of the Amazon is an important mark along the way.

At 5,150 meters, the thin air challenged my determination at times, but the effort was rewarded with a stunning moment of drinking source water as it 

The water of the Amazon starts it long journey by coming out of the cracks of this rock face on the side of Nevado Mismi in southern Peru.

It's humbling to think that a few of these water droplets on the side of Nevado Mismi would travel almost 4,000 miles in the Amazon River to merge with the Atlantic Ocean.  Well, a few didn't get far, because I took a couple of sips as the water poured down the rock face. 

I spent two days here.

The second day, it looked like this!

The weather changes fast at high altitudes! 

One thing you can count on when you travel, fun surprises!

Here's the National Geographic showing the location of Nevado Mismi in southern Peru.

 

 

Cheers,

Dean

 

 

Oil disaster in Ecuador

This article ran in the Fremont Tribune, it's worth a extra look.  Please share with your friends.

 Follow the link to  Fremont Tribune artilce.

Thanks,

Dean

Eating guinea pig in Equador South America

On my way back to the hostal from the bus station I found a food stall serving guinea pig, or what they call cuy.

I decided in celebration of my time in Ecuador to treat myself to a dish of cuy!

 

While I didn't ask for seconds, it was pretty good!

Consider a delicacy in South America, Cuy or what we know as guinea pig is a real treat. Of course it tastes like chicken. The skin tasted like pork rinds. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice!

What's for dinner mom? :)

Good eating!

Cheers,

Dean Jacobs

 

Welcome.....

Welcome dreamers of beauty and kind things,

    welcome those who see color in the world,

        welcome those who wish to sit by the fire and spin tales of adventure,

welcome those who have hope in their heart,

    welcome those who hear the whispers in the wind,

        welcome those whose heart sees wisdom in history,

welcome those whose heart is in awe of nature,

    welcome those who see joy in a child's face,

        welcome all those who know the darkness will pass....

 

For this journey of life is for you, those who know the gift of life, the dance of the divine to the music of the cosmos.  Dance as the colors play, as the wind blows, the sun shines and the rains fall.  It all brings life.

- Dean Jacobs, 12-7-11

Quito Ecuador, South America

 

 

A message from Ecuador to Nebraska.

Something you should be aware of in Ecuador. 

 

 

Extended stay in Ecuador.

I am still in Ecuador, a little longer than I planned, but it is a nice place to be delayed. Cuenca to be exact.

This is the largest church in Ecuador, a cathedral in Cuenca.  It's a part of my temporary daily routine, I go there for a moment of quiet and reflection.

 

Last weekend one of my lenses took a tumble onto a stone floor, ouch!  So given I still have the majority of my journey ahead of me, I am having my brother send me a spare lens from home to replace it.  ( I am lucky to have a cool brother, thanks Dale )

 

Thank goodness I added a spare lens some time back for just this kind of situation.

 

In the mean time, I continue to edit photos, catch up on my writing and go for walks around the beautiful city of Cuenca.   I’ve gotten into a little bit of a routine, one of the things that is a challenge when traveling.   It’s fun to return to some of the same food stalls, the people always welcome me back with a large smile.

A little side trip out of Cuenca allowed me to see the continental divide in Ecuador, Cajas National Park.

 

It feels like I am beginning to get my travel legs back under me.  It’s been some time since I last traveled.  In Africa I was stationed in the same place, now I am moving once again, like I did in the past.  It is a special window in time, one that I love and flourish in because you never know what to expect.  Every day is a surprise and filled with something new!  Even the days that look or feel like routine, are not.

 

My time in Ecuador has given me the opportunity to experience some of the indigenous cultures of the Andes and the upper Amazon.   Insights into ways of living that are simple and powerful, in that they offer a different view of life.  This is one of the important objectives of my journey.

 

Up until the last week I have been traveling with friends and companions from the Pachamama trip, now I am on my own.  I love both ways of exploring.  A part of me truly relishes the challenge of being on my own and a part of me celebrates the ability to share an experience. Balancing that out is one of my dances of life.

 

 There is perfection in the delay, as it lays the foundation for the unforeseen to show up and offer a surprise of the unexpected.  What I have learned about long-term travel is that it unfolds in its own way and timing, and when you try to force a situation, you only create frustration and stress.

 

With luck with customs and Fed Ex, my lens will show up in a few days and once again I will begin the long trip south to Peru.  The next clear objective is to go see the headwaters of the Amazon way up in the Andes of Peru.  What happens along the way, what surprises show up or opportunities that present themselves because of the timing of where I find myself is all a part of the magic of the journey.

 

 

It is our job to follow our hearts, to trust and learn from the lessons of life as it unfolds, to rise to the challenges with out forcing life into a small box. Having a dream, and being open to something even bigger.  Doing this allows us to make the greatest contribution possible, with a sense of peace, joy, happiness and love.  Everything else is but a bonus.  And I am all for bonuses to!

 

And so the adventure continues.

Where ever this finds you, may it bring you a smile.

Cheers,

Dean

 

 

 

 

 

 

South American Entry for Highland Elementary in CO.

Hola Highland Elementary in Littleton!

Greetings from Ecuador in South America.  It has been a special journey so far, one where I have learned a great deal about the indigenous people and places.

It's really great to share this journey with you and I am looking forward to answering your questions.

This is me on the front of the canoe going down the Bobonaza River in Ecuador, which eventually connects to the mighty Amazon river.

Would you like to be in the canoe with me?  

In case you are wondering, I still don't swim well, but you never let your fear stop you, remember!

Cheers,

Dean

ps I was chatting with Mrs Tharp today right before heading out for lunch.  I promised to take a photo of my plate so you could see what's for lunch!  At the moment I go every day to the local market where you can find food stalls and all kinds of yummy foods!

Any guesses as to how much lunch was?  This is fresh fish from the Pacific Ocean.

 

 Would you like to see a flock of these guys in the Amazon?

 

 

 

 

Zoo Academy Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha- photos to key

Hola amigos at the Henry Doorly Zoo Academy!

 

Below you will find serveral photos for you to key out from my exploration of the upper Amazon rainforest in Ecuador.

Insects, birds, reptiles, plants

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Cheers,

Dean