The Dean of Travel

Achuar Education Project- Ecuador South America

Deep in the Amazon Rain Forest of Ecuador is a nation of people living a simple, difficult and beautiful way of life.

These people, known as the Achuar, maintain traditional practices and ways of life. They love the rain forest and what the forest provides; food, shelter, medicine and a spiritual sense of life.

 

 

 

A young Achuar girl in the village of Tiinkias with traditional face paintings.

 

 

The view of the Amazon rain forest from above in the eastern part of Ecuador and home of the Achuar.

 

 

 

 

 

Outside pressure is growing on the 7000 Achuar people living in 56 communities spread across 2 million acres of virgin rain forest from oil and mining interests.

Desiring to maintain and protect their traditional way of life in the forest, they are aware of the necessity of education.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As I was filming, my chair fall over, so these two young students took it upon themselves to take care of me.

 

Recently I met with several community leaders to create a new idea.

The Achuar Education Project.  (AEP)

The purpose of this service learning project is to link US schools with the village schools of the Achuar.

These villages are deep in the rain forest, and are only accessible to the rest of the world by flight or canoe. Because of their isolation and difficulty to get materials they receive minimal support from the Government.

The intention of the project is to support the Achuar obtaining an education and provide tools to help them maintain and protect the Amazon rain forest.  And in turn provide an opportunity to educate school children about the rain forest and the people that call it home.

Donations can be made through the Travel4life Foundation ear marked for the Achuar Education Project.

The details are still being worked out and several ideas are being tossed around.  The same isolation the Achuar live in that helps protect the rain forest is also a challenge to work around.

My trips to Ecuador and into the rain forest have provided the opportunity to make several connections and create relationships with people who are willing and trustworthy. Both key ingredients are needed to have this type of project be successful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pilot project will start with the village school of Tiinkias.  I met the students and teacher of this one room school on two different trips. They provided a list of needs and wants. Details of which are coming soon.  I met with the village leaders to discuss the idea.  They are excited and see this as a wonderful opportunity for their children to share their wisdom and knowledge of the rain forest.   They want their students to write letters or make drawings to send back to students or others who participate and support the project.

 

A certificate of appreciation and a photo of the Tiinkias village kids will be sent to all donors. 

This is a powerful way to help protect a portion of the Amazon rain forest and make a positive difference in the lives of school kids in both worlds.

Please feel free to contact me, Dean Jacobs at dean@deanjacobs.org with any questions or suggestions.

Your supportand consideration is greatly appreciated.

Warm regards,

Dean

The end of the Amazon River and bonuses in Brazil.

The long journey down the Amazon River in Brazil has come to an end and marked by two special rituals. I have found over time, it is important for me to mark the end of journey with something special.  It allows me to reflect on what has been accomplished, and to feel a sense of satisfaction. 

First, I decided to take a boat across the mouth of the Amazon to deepen my appreciation for just how big the river is.  The journey from Belem to Macapa took 24 hours! 

My boat is the one of the right.  The captain even let me stear it for a short period of time as we crossed the river!

 

While in Macapa I visited a fort built by the Portugese 250 years ago to keep the French out, a key part of the Amazon history. 

 

 

Exploring the fort in Macapa was fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I stood on the Equator.  This was pretty cool!

 

Ocean going ships anchored at the mouth of the Amazon River.

 

Second, I dipped my feet into the Atlantic Ocean,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once this part of my mission was accomplished.  I decided to fulfill another dream, and that was to go see Iguazu Falls in southern Brazil.

This was a really cool place!  Wow!

 

And a unexpected bonus was exploring the Rio Prata, a very special river in Brazil.

 

Now I just completed a visit to the Amazon rain forest of Ecuador to visit with the Achaur people where I made some new friends.

 

 

A wonderful way to cap off a very special exploration of South America.

Cheers,

Dean

 

Floating down the Amazon River in Brazil

I have continued to make my way to the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil.

It takes many hours by boat, as the Amazon is a huge river now, several miles wide and averaging over 100 feet deep!  There are very few roads in the Amazon region of Brazil, the river is the main highway and how most people move in the area.

As my boat works its way east, I have had the privilege to meet local people.

These two young people passed the time on the boat playing games with each other.

 

 

These two young people, Diego and Wendy did their best to teach me Portuguese.  It is a very difficult language for me. We laughed often as I stumbled through the words. The brown hammock above my head is what I sleep in at night.  In the evening, even though we are in the tropics, it gets very cold and I sleep with a sheet to help keep me warm.  My hammock is also a great place to take a nap in the middle of the day. This guy below would agree!

 

 

Traveling by boat also provided many opportunities to see beautiful scenes like watching the sun set over the Amazon River.

Or like these storm clouds in the distance below.  This photo also gives you a sense just how big the Amazon River is now.

As I meet local people, often they greet me with a "thumbs up." This is one of the friendly gestures they do in Brazil.

Exploring the Amazon River is a slow process.  You can only move as fast as the boat will go.  Sometimes it's good to slow down the pace of life, I think it allows you to appreciate the simple things, like the smile of a new friend.

Where ever this finds you, sending you a hammock smile from the Amazon River in Brazil South America!

Cheers,

Dean

 

A day with pink dolphins in the Amazon of Brazil.

I was lucky to have the chance to see pink river dolphins up close and personal while exploring the Amazon rain forest here in Brazil.

 

I love this photo, the dolphin looks so happy to see people.  River dolphins though are almost blind, they navigate the dark and sometimes murky waters of the Amazon with sonar.

This river was the Rio Negro, it meets the Amazon River at Manaus Brazil.

What do you guess the dolphin is saying?

 

 

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Pink River Dolphins in the Amazon River of South America

By TheDeanofTravel

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 Check this out!

 

Dolphins are mammals, which means they must breath air to live.  Can you find the blow hole on this dolphin? 

 

 I love it when you tickle me here!

 

Oh, you are so cute!

 

 

Pucker up baby, how about a little kiss??

 

 

I recently learned from my friends at INPA, or the Amazon research institute that the pink dolphin is in danger, apparently people are killing them and using them for fish bait...so sad.  They tell me if this practice continues the dolphin could become extinct in 10 years.

Let us hope this changes quickly.

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Heading for the Amazon of Ecuador.

Sunday morning we will begin our journey toward the Amazon Rain-forest of Ecuador. An organized journey, created by the Pachamama organization designed to introduce western cultures to the traditional amazonian cultures.  A rare and once in a lifetime privilege for someone like me. 

It was good for me to arrive a coupe of days early.  A chance to catch up a little on some rest.  Creating some distance from the hectic run until the wheels fall off the wagon pace that has been going on ever since Wondrous Creatures was published.   The last two months were fun, seeing the book come to life and being used by students, teachers and parents was a real thrill.

 

The hotel arranged a pickup for me at the airport, a nice touch when you land at 11 pm. 

 

Arriving early offered me the chance to look around some of Quito for a few days.  The last time I was here was in 2004, and at the time I was very sick.  It was nice to see Quito in a healthy state!  It's a lot more fun to travel when you feel good.

 

The Ecuador government rolled out the red carpet to welcome me to South America! 

 

Okay, maybe not, but it was fun to see.

 

Quito is a sprawling city of 2.5 million people that covers the floor of several valleys and hill tops.

 

I love the shining faces of South America. 

Bright lights.

 

I haven't done independent travel since my 2007 journey and have felt a bit rusty.   But that rust is quickly wearing off as I remembered how fun it is to engage with school kids.  I still remember how to teach the Hokey Poky.   My heart sang with joy as these kids giggled with delight.  The teacher came up to me as I was leaving and said; "thank you for being so kind to the students."  

 

Tomorrow we will begin the 10 day journey.  Look for me in a couple of weeks, I am sure to have amazing stories and photos to share.    

It feels so good to be back out in the world again!

Let the journey begin. 

Cheers,

Dean

 

 

 

 

Collaboration with the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha

Before leaving on my South American journey I met with the Zoo Academy at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha.

 

We will be collaborating as I travel through the Amazon.  The students have offered to help me key out animals and plants that I photograph while traveling.   This is awesome, as this will allow me to add more scientific depth to my journey and at the same time be able to share in the magic of what I am discovering.

 

A sincere thanks you to Pat Purkhiser and the staff at the zoo academy for the invitation to present the outline of my South American journey to your students.  I’m looking forward to connecting with you over the next six months.

 

Cheers,

Dean