Things change so fast sometimes—So fast that I have a hard time processing life.
Growing up in the country is something I am thankful for…….the pace of life is consistently slow, nothing much changes--You always have time to stop and appreciate the beauty of peace and quiet.
I miss that. A lot.
Currently I a month into my new job as a Multimedia Specialist for Governor Schwarzenegger’s office. Ha, it sounds so strange. If you had asked me a-year-ago what I would be doing today----I would never had guessed this in a million years.
Going to work everyday is like dropping into Carson Falls---you ship your oars, and then all becomes chaos. It’s a love hate relationship.
I guess I gotta roll with it in hope that I don’t get drug under the buss anytime soon.
This past Monday was one of the craziest days of my life, and this next entry will explain why.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Behind the Pipe and Drape--New York City
4:45 AM-- Grand Hyatt Hotel
I am up and about in my room 15 minutes before my scheduled wake up call. I brewed a pot of coffee and sat down in a plush recliner next to my 30th floor window. The sounds of the city serenaded me as my mind started to envision a checklist of things to get done in the next 2-hours.
Camera gear was first on the list.
I laid out a Mark III, Mark II, 70-200, 16-35, 300 2.8, 580 EX, Battery Pack, CF Cards, and a bunch of other random crap I always think I will need.
With the camera gear ready I took a shower, threw on a suit, and did my best to cram all my stuff back into a suitcase. Draped in camera gear I grabbed the handle of my bag, and was ready to check out.
6:00 AM--Checkout
After swiping my credit card I headed out the revolving lobby doors, and into a pleasant city morning. Steam billowed from manholes, construction workers lingered about, a few cabs roamed the streets, and the laughter of couples rang through the air as they stumbled home from a long night out. It was like something out of a movie.
I grabbed a fresh coffee and started the 20 min walk down to the United Nations building. Once I started getting close the streets were closed off, NYPD officers were questioning anyone wanting to pass by. I showed my credential, and was allowed through.
Once I reached the entrance to the UN I took my place in the line of media waiting to get in. There were photographers, and videographers from all over the world, and everyone was speaking a different language---the diversity amongst us was a really beautiful thing.
9:45 AM—The Chamber
Once inside the chamber I was blown away by how big it is. Filling this room were representatives from a majority of the world’s nations---it was a really neat thing to see. From my second story side view booth I could have dropped an egg on the Sudanese reps---they were directly below me.
After two speakers Governor Schwarzenegger approached the center podium and began his speech on climate change. It lasted 5-minutes, after which I was escorted downstairs by a Secret Service officer to meet up with the Gov.
When the Gov came through the door we all headed outside into a tent where we hopped into the motorcade………four black SUV’s and a police escort. We went flying out of the UN parking lot and into the streets of New York.
Our destination---Central Park.
Riding in the motorcade was great; we rallied through town, people on the sides of the streets watched in wonder as we flew by. I watched them through the tinted windows and could tell from their expressions that they wondered who we were.
Once we reached the park we all hopped out so the Gov could do a TV interview on Columbus circle, right next to Central Park. The interview lasted around ten minutes, plenty of time for people to realize what was going on. Before I new it people were screaming and yelling, “It’s the Terminator, Oh my God…..Arnold we love you.”
After the interview he waved to everyone, lit his cigar, and hopped back in the car with a big smile on his face. We were off.
I would love to give you all the breakdown of everything we did that day, however, I would probably have to clear it with communications---I really don’t feel like doing that.
I can say though that there were a few more events spread throughout New York City, and an unplanned stop at Starbucks. We were really moving---I couldn’t believe that I was in the thick of it.
1:15 PM---The Mad Dash
As we exited our last event I ran to the motorcade and grabbed some camera gear, just before the train took off for the airport. My blackberry would not stop buzzing and I had 2-hours to get to the airport.
After 45-minutes in a cab I made it back to the hotel, dropped off my camera bag, grabbed the 300 mm 2.8 lens and started running for Times Square. I had 30-minutes to get back to catch a cab to the airport.
I had borrowed this lens from Reuter photographer Lucas Jackson, with directions to leave it with the guards at the Reuters front desk. Upon reaching them they said there was no way they would take responsibility for it, I had to figure something else out. Lucas was down covering the protests outside the UN, finally I got word from him to take it up to his boss on the 19th floor.
When I got out of the elevator he was waiting for me with a weird look on his face. I could tell he was wondering why the hell I had Reuter’s glass; I handed it to him, said thanks, and hopped back into the elevator. Rather then complicate matters I figured it was better to just let Lucas dig himself out of this one.
Once I was back on the street I realized I had 5-minutes to travel eight blocks. Cabs weren’t an option due to traffic so I decided to hop on a bike cart, this would give me a moment to respond to the many emails I had been receiving. I let out a sigh, lit a smoke, and sent the Sacramento Press Office a note letting them know that I would have the photos from the UN to them in less than an hour….or so I thought.
Note to self—Don’t trust the bike taxis. Once I finally looked up from my Blackberry it was to late, the guy was giving me the run around. I was now farther from my hotel than when I started. After some choice words I just took off running.
I arrived back at the hotel 20-minutes late to find my co-worker waiting impatiently. We grabbed our stuff and headed out the front doors, within 5-minutes we were in a Taxi, and I had the laptop open and started the process of importing the day’s pictures. I inserted my first CF card into the reader and nothing happened. “This can’t be happening,” I kept saying, “this is my worst nightmare coming true.”
To no avail I franticly tried to get the thing to work—I was hosed.
I sat there and all became quiet around me. I silently said a prayer and asked God to make my card reader work. I slowly turned my head to look out the window and low and behold there was a camera store.
Call it Devine intervention, luck, fate, or whatever—all I know is that the powers that be stoked me out big time. Within a few minutes I was back in the cab and successfully importing images.
Before I new it I had made my edit, checked into my flight, and sent everything off to Sacramento. All with enough time to spare to catch my breath and have a beer in LaGuardia Airport before my flight boarded.
As we took off I let the days events sink in. What an experience, I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity, I will never forget that day in NYC…..
I am up and about in my room 15 minutes before my scheduled wake up call. I brewed a pot of coffee and sat down in a plush recliner next to my 30th floor window. The sounds of the city serenaded me as my mind started to envision a checklist of things to get done in the next 2-hours.
Camera gear was first on the list.
I laid out a Mark III, Mark II, 70-200, 16-35, 300 2.8, 580 EX, Battery Pack, CF Cards, and a bunch of other random crap I always think I will need.
With the camera gear ready I took a shower, threw on a suit, and did my best to cram all my stuff back into a suitcase. Draped in camera gear I grabbed the handle of my bag, and was ready to check out.
6:00 AM--Checkout
After swiping my credit card I headed out the revolving lobby doors, and into a pleasant city morning. Steam billowed from manholes, construction workers lingered about, a few cabs roamed the streets, and the laughter of couples rang through the air as they stumbled home from a long night out. It was like something out of a movie.
I grabbed a fresh coffee and started the 20 min walk down to the United Nations building. Once I started getting close the streets were closed off, NYPD officers were questioning anyone wanting to pass by. I showed my credential, and was allowed through.
Once I reached the entrance to the UN I took my place in the line of media waiting to get in. There were photographers, and videographers from all over the world, and everyone was speaking a different language---the diversity amongst us was a really beautiful thing.
9:45 AM—The Chamber
Once inside the chamber I was blown away by how big it is. Filling this room were representatives from a majority of the world’s nations---it was a really neat thing to see. From my second story side view booth I could have dropped an egg on the Sudanese reps---they were directly below me.
After two speakers Governor Schwarzenegger approached the center podium and began his speech on climate change. It lasted 5-minutes, after which I was escorted downstairs by a Secret Service officer to meet up with the Gov.
When the Gov came through the door we all headed outside into a tent where we hopped into the motorcade………four black SUV’s and a police escort. We went flying out of the UN parking lot and into the streets of New York.
Our destination---Central Park.
Riding in the motorcade was great; we rallied through town, people on the sides of the streets watched in wonder as we flew by. I watched them through the tinted windows and could tell from their expressions that they wondered who we were.
Once we reached the park we all hopped out so the Gov could do a TV interview on Columbus circle, right next to Central Park. The interview lasted around ten minutes, plenty of time for people to realize what was going on. Before I new it people were screaming and yelling, “It’s the Terminator, Oh my God…..Arnold we love you.”
After the interview he waved to everyone, lit his cigar, and hopped back in the car with a big smile on his face. We were off.
I would love to give you all the breakdown of everything we did that day, however, I would probably have to clear it with communications---I really don’t feel like doing that.
I can say though that there were a few more events spread throughout New York City, and an unplanned stop at Starbucks. We were really moving---I couldn’t believe that I was in the thick of it.
1:15 PM---The Mad Dash
As we exited our last event I ran to the motorcade and grabbed some camera gear, just before the train took off for the airport. My blackberry would not stop buzzing and I had 2-hours to get to the airport.
After 45-minutes in a cab I made it back to the hotel, dropped off my camera bag, grabbed the 300 mm 2.8 lens and started running for Times Square. I had 30-minutes to get back to catch a cab to the airport.
I had borrowed this lens from Reuter photographer Lucas Jackson, with directions to leave it with the guards at the Reuters front desk. Upon reaching them they said there was no way they would take responsibility for it, I had to figure something else out. Lucas was down covering the protests outside the UN, finally I got word from him to take it up to his boss on the 19th floor.
When I got out of the elevator he was waiting for me with a weird look on his face. I could tell he was wondering why the hell I had Reuter’s glass; I handed it to him, said thanks, and hopped back into the elevator. Rather then complicate matters I figured it was better to just let Lucas dig himself out of this one.
Once I was back on the street I realized I had 5-minutes to travel eight blocks. Cabs weren’t an option due to traffic so I decided to hop on a bike cart, this would give me a moment to respond to the many emails I had been receiving. I let out a sigh, lit a smoke, and sent the Sacramento Press Office a note letting them know that I would have the photos from the UN to them in less than an hour….or so I thought.
Note to self—Don’t trust the bike taxis. Once I finally looked up from my Blackberry it was to late, the guy was giving me the run around. I was now farther from my hotel than when I started. After some choice words I just took off running.
I arrived back at the hotel 20-minutes late to find my co-worker waiting impatiently. We grabbed our stuff and headed out the front doors, within 5-minutes we were in a Taxi, and I had the laptop open and started the process of importing the day’s pictures. I inserted my first CF card into the reader and nothing happened. “This can’t be happening,” I kept saying, “this is my worst nightmare coming true.”
To no avail I franticly tried to get the thing to work—I was hosed.
I sat there and all became quiet around me. I silently said a prayer and asked God to make my card reader work. I slowly turned my head to look out the window and low and behold there was a camera store.
Call it Devine intervention, luck, fate, or whatever—all I know is that the powers that be stoked me out big time. Within a few minutes I was back in the cab and successfully importing images.
Before I new it I had made my edit, checked into my flight, and sent everything off to Sacramento. All with enough time to spare to catch my breath and have a beer in LaGuardia Airport before my flight boarded.
As we took off I let the days events sink in. What an experience, I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity, I will never forget that day in NYC…..
Monday, July 9, 2007
Its funny what the day can bring.
Walking from the bus stop to the Capitol this morning my stomach was filled with nervous anticipation. I couldn’t figure out if this pain in my gut was because it was Monday morning, or because I was excited to find out what the day would bring.
After reaching my office I looked up at the wall size schedule and saw that today was Joe Weider day……or it would be in about 4 hours after the Senate declared it.
This excited me even though all I new was that Weider was one of the Gov’s old body building buddies. I sat down at my computer and decided to find out a little more about these two’s history.
I knew that Schwarzenegger has a remarkable life story, however, I didn’t know that Weider’s was close in comparison. These two have been in each other’s lives since Weider influenced Schwarzenegger to come to the United States 39-years-ago.
Weider is to body building what Bob Barker is to the Price is Right. He pretty much founded the sport and Schwarzenegger was one if it’s greatest competitors.
The interaction between these two today was quiet and subtle; the only way that I can describe it is to paint a picture of father and son. The steadying hand of Governor Schwarzenegger accompanied every move that Weider made.
Reading that these two men started with nothing, and seeing them with everything, is a true testament of the American dream. I find inspiration in their life stories as I myself embark on a journey to follow a dream.
After reaching my office I looked up at the wall size schedule and saw that today was Joe Weider day……or it would be in about 4 hours after the Senate declared it.
This excited me even though all I new was that Weider was one of the Gov’s old body building buddies. I sat down at my computer and decided to find out a little more about these two’s history.
I knew that Schwarzenegger has a remarkable life story, however, I didn’t know that Weider’s was close in comparison. These two have been in each other’s lives since Weider influenced Schwarzenegger to come to the United States 39-years-ago.
Weider is to body building what Bob Barker is to the Price is Right. He pretty much founded the sport and Schwarzenegger was one if it’s greatest competitors.
The interaction between these two today was quiet and subtle; the only way that I can describe it is to paint a picture of father and son. The steadying hand of Governor Schwarzenegger accompanied every move that Weider made.
Reading that these two men started with nothing, and seeing them with everything, is a true testament of the American dream. I find inspiration in their life stories as I myself embark on a journey to follow a dream.
So many situations….
One of the greatest things about this job is that everyday brings something new and unpredictable. So many situations spring out of nowhere, keep me on my toes, and provide me with opportunity to create images that could never have been pre-visualized. Here are a few examples of what I am talking about.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
What to say……Where to start?
A few days ago I was at work at the capitol in Sacramento, I had just finished shooting a press conference and gotten back to the office. Everyone that I work with was running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I put down my camera bag and tried to filter through multiple conversations to figure out what was going on.
The reason for the confusion was that Governor Schwarzenegger spontaneously decided that he wanted to go to South Lake Tahoe to give a press conference. This conference announced that the Angora fire was 100% contained; Tahoe was open for business and ready for 4th of July.
Within five minutes I was heading out the door with the Advance team on our way up to South Lake Tahoe. Blackberrys buzzing and wide eyed, we franticly piled into a min-van and took off. We had three hours before the Governors jet was wheels down in Tahoe, and an hour and a half drive ahead of us. Logistics were the topic of conversation as details streamed in.
The reason for the confusion was that Governor Schwarzenegger spontaneously decided that he wanted to go to South Lake Tahoe to give a press conference. This conference announced that the Angora fire was 100% contained; Tahoe was open for business and ready for 4th of July.
Within five minutes I was heading out the door with the Advance team on our way up to South Lake Tahoe. Blackberrys buzzing and wide eyed, we franticly piled into a min-van and took off. We had three hours before the Governors jet was wheels down in Tahoe, and an hour and a half drive ahead of us. Logistics were the topic of conversation as details streamed in.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
The all-encompassing trip
I haven’t updated in a while because I have been traveling all over California and Oregon visiting friends and family. I said my goodbyes to the northern California coast, redwoods, and my hippie friends—all of which contributed to my time in Arcata being truly enjoyable.
After I left Arcata I headed north up to the beautiful Applegate valley, and my parents house. I spent four days lounging around with my family, picking strawberries, and soaking in the spring Oregon sun. This visit went by way to fast as it always does, it’s all right though because while I was there I successfully divided my time between my parents and my four other siblings.
I am now settling down for a few months in Davis, CA. I really didn’t know what to expect from this little valley town, however, I have been delightfully surprised. Beautiful trees line the streets letting just enough light through to dramatically illuminate people as they cruise by my house on beach cruisers and skateboards.
As I drove up Highway 1 a few days ago I had the pleasure of driving alongside the ocean as the sunset. My window was down, my favorite Pearl Jam album serenaded me, and the coastal air blew away all my unease. It’s funny how subtle moments like this can ease all troubling thoughts and emotions. I felt at peace.
“Do you see the way that tree bends?
Does it inspire?
Leaning out to catch the sun's rays
A lesson to be applied
Are you getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?
Have you ideas on how this life ends?
Checked your hands and studied the lines
Have you the belief that the road ahead, ascends off into the light?
Seems that needlessly it's getting harder
To find an approach and a way to live
Are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?
You can spend your time alone re-digesting past regrets, oh
Or you can come to terms and realize
You're the only one who cannot forgive yourself, oh
Makes much more sense, to live in the present tense.”
…….as sung by Eddie Vedder.
After I left Arcata I headed north up to the beautiful Applegate valley, and my parents house. I spent four days lounging around with my family, picking strawberries, and soaking in the spring Oregon sun. This visit went by way to fast as it always does, it’s all right though because while I was there I successfully divided my time between my parents and my four other siblings.
I am now settling down for a few months in Davis, CA. I really didn’t know what to expect from this little valley town, however, I have been delightfully surprised. Beautiful trees line the streets letting just enough light through to dramatically illuminate people as they cruise by my house on beach cruisers and skateboards.
As I drove up Highway 1 a few days ago I had the pleasure of driving alongside the ocean as the sunset. My window was down, my favorite Pearl Jam album serenaded me, and the coastal air blew away all my unease. It’s funny how subtle moments like this can ease all troubling thoughts and emotions. I felt at peace.
“Do you see the way that tree bends?
Does it inspire?
Leaning out to catch the sun's rays
A lesson to be applied
Are you getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?
Have you ideas on how this life ends?
Checked your hands and studied the lines
Have you the belief that the road ahead, ascends off into the light?
Seems that needlessly it's getting harder
To find an approach and a way to live
Are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?
You can spend your time alone re-digesting past regrets, oh
Or you can come to terms and realize
You're the only one who cannot forgive yourself, oh
Makes much more sense, to live in the present tense.”
…….as sung by Eddie Vedder.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Diggin Thru The Archive
I am sitting here amongst boxes and piles of books realizing that I am a bit of a pack rat. It is the end of the school year and I am in the process of moving out of my house; a process that I have become far to accustomed to. It amazes me how much stuff I can acquire in only one years time. Books, schoolwork, magazines, and other random things tend to just pile up on me--especially National Geographic's. Why can't I ever bring myself to get rid of these things? It must be the pictures. I can't even bring myself to delete my own pictures that I don't need. Like the numerous folders I have of high school girl's volleyball, freshman football, or JV soccer that I shot while on assignments for the local paper. I am 99% sure I will never use these images, however, I just can't seem to bring myself to drag them to the trash can. Since I am doing this house cleaning I felt motivated to organize my images from this past year. Here are a few I had forgotten about, however, now that I see them I can't send them back to their boring dark folders at the back of my hard drive. This is their chance to shine.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Developing A Bond
Over spring break this year I had the pleasure of going to Death Valley with my dad for his 50th birthday. Sand dunes, craters, narrow canyons, lakebeds, and tons of other geological wonders entertained us throughout our stay. Everyday I was blown away by how diverse and beautiful this desert is, however, what really made the trip amazing was getting to spend quality time with my father. I now have a deeper understanding of this man, one that I couldn’t have gained any other way. Our conversations around the campfire will forever be ingrained in my memory. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Follow Your Nose
The afternoons in Arcata can be a beautiful thing when it isn’t raining. The wind usually turns onshore, and when I stand in front of my house I could probably smell the ocean if the air wasn’t filled with an incredible stench. One day I decided to get to the bottom of the funk and figure out where it was coming from. I started heading west and before I new it I was leaving town, and traveling down a one-lane dirt road. At the end of the road was the answer to my confusion: The Windy Acre’s Dairy Farm. From that day on I have been working on a story about this family farm and the people who run it, here are a few "off moments" from the project.
Check Out The Story…..
Check Out The Story…..
Northern California Crabbing
It's 2:00 a.m., Tuesday morning, January 9, 2007. I've just shown up at Woodly Island Marina, where I sit in the dark with butterflies in my stomach as a light drizzle sprinkles me through a thick layer of fog. My mind runs wild with anticipation and thoughts of what will come in my approaching 26-hour crabbing adventure. How will I handle the open water? Will I get sick? Should I take Dramamine or just balls up and hope for the best?
At around 2:20 a.m., Wayne Sohrakoff, captain of the Drifter, pulls into the parking lot in his ford f-150. He slowly climbs out and gathers his things and heads down the ramp to his 51 foot fishing vessel. Then, the diesel engines fire to life and the boat becomes illuminated with a beautiful Tungsten light--a signal that the day is just getting started.
As the boat fires to life, the face of deckhand Casey can be seen through a porthole, where he is busily preparing coffee inside the galley. Captain Schrakoff stands silhouetted in the cockpit, barking commands to Casey about what exactly should be done before the boat can shove off.
2:35 a.m. Still no sign of the 3rd crewmember, Worm, who by this time is 35 minutes late. Schrakoff begins to worry that Worm could possibly be “drunk somewhere.” Casey just shrugs his shoulders and rolls his eyes, as if to say that this scenario is nothing new to him.
2:45 a.m. Worm finally decides to grace the Marina with presence and the Drifter successfully pulls away from its slip, heading out for the open ocean. It's about a 2-hour boat ride north to get to the first string of crab pots, so Casey and Worm head straight to their bunks and passed out. I on the other hand, stay on deck and hold on for dear life, taking in deep breaths of the morning air with the hope that I won't get sick.
I queasily watch as flying fish sparkle in flight next to the boat, and then I slowly take a pull of my cigarette and do my best to take everything in. The muffled ringing of a bell can be heard as we pass the last buoy at the mouth of the harbor. The ringing in my ears not only signals that the boat is now in the open ocean, but also that it is time to start getting sick.
Knots start forming in my stomach, so I take solid hold of the railing, lean over and start vomiting. The sound of the engines, the smell of bait and the rocking motion of the boat rolling over 14 ft. swells, all take a long time to get used to. Feeling as sick as a dog, I'm left wondering if my decision to venture out on the turbid waters of the northern California coast was the right one.
4:45 a.m. The voice of Captain Schrakoff comes over the loud speaker and announces, “10 minutes,” which lets Worm and Casey know that we have reached the first string of pots. Sleepily, these two men climb out of their bunks and start to put on bright orange and yellow rain slickers. Once on deck, Casey and Worm finish running frozen blocks of squid and anchovies through the bait shredder and start filling bait containers--positioning themselves to be ready to process the first crab pot of the day.
The sound of a horn signals that the boat is coming alongside the buoys from the first string as Worm gets his buoy stick ready. The buoy stick, a 12-foot long piece of bamboo with a large metal hook attached to the end, is used to grab the lines attached to the Crab pots. The line is then threaded through a wheel, which mechanically starts bringing in the line and pulling the crab pot to the surface of the ocean so that it can be emptied, baited, and then either stacked on the boat, or thrown back into the ocean. This process takes about 3 minutes from the time that the line is hooked until the pot is thrown back in to the water, and is done with amazing coordination and precision between crewmembers.
As the sun starts to come up, I finally began to develop sea legs, and I no longer feel like I'm going to vomit whenever I put the camera to my eye. The rocking of the boat actually becomes rather soothing, along with the constant cries of seagulls flying behind the boat.
Deckhands Casey and Worm work almost non-stop the entire time we are out at sea. One of their few breaks comes only after we have been at sea for almost 20 hours. Then, the boat had to travel 3 miles to the next string of pots. In this small window of downtime, Casey grabs a large link cod that had gotten stuck in a crab pot, fillets it, breads it, and fries it up in the galley. This meal was one of the best fish dinners I have ever had.
The 26-hour crabbing adventure with the Drifter ended up taking 36 hours. When we got back to shore, I was delirious from sleep deprivation, and I stunk like bait, crab, and bird shit. It took almost a month for my 30D to loose the fishing boat smell; I don’t think I will ever get the smell out of the Aquatech rain cover.
I love adventures like this one that push me to experience things that are out of my comfort zone. These moments teach me about who I am, what I am capable of, and give me confidence for the next time I decide to grab my camera and step outside of my bubble.view images
Ecuador Adventure
Recirculating air, a cold soda, and a window seat--I was stoked. As I looked out, I saw a muted sea of green pass below me. Thoughts were bouncing through my mind: What is the jungle going to be like? Will I adapt to this environment? Did I forget any gear? Will these people accept me? My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the landing gear lowering, so I snapped out of my daze, buckled my seat belt, and prepared to land in the city of Lago Agrio, Ecuador.
Stepping off the plane, I was met by the hottest, most humid blast of air I have ever experienced. It threw me back a little. And by the time that I walked across 100 yards of tarmac, I was already drenched in sweat. From the airport, it is short cab ride into town, and intto the chaos.
Buses, cars, mopeds, and bicycles flew down the streets at overwhelming speeds. Venders lined the main street selling anything from fish, to the latest in designer knock off sunglasses. The sounds of horns, people, and music filled the air. It was a little overwhelming at first, so I bought a coconut popsicle, sat down on my bag, and took it all in. That first night I couldn’t sleep, so I just decided to lay on my bed with the AC on high, and let the city noises serenade me.
The next morning I woke up ready to take care of business, which was trying to track down my contact. If you have read this far then you are probably wondering where I am going with this, well here it is. The reason that I went to Ecuador was to do a story on an indigenous tribe named the Cofan. I had been in contact with a tribal representative through email, which led to a name and a phone number of who to contact once I arrived in Lago Agrio. I called this number only to realize that my broken Spanish did not work at all on the phone. Without hand motions and smiles, my communication skills drastically went down hill. Although the conversation was a disaster, I was able to figure out that I would be picked up at 8:00 am the following morning to begin the trek out towards the Cuyabeno Wilderness and the Cofan village of Zabalo.
The following morning arrived quickly, and at 8:00 am I was sitting contently on my bag out in front of the hotel, enjoying another coconut popsicle. Twenty minutes rolled past, then an hour, then two hours, and still there was no sign of my ride. Finally, around noon a beat up old wood sided truck pulled up in front of me, and the adventure began.
I walked around to the back of the truck only to find that they barely had room for me, already sitting there were around 5 children, 6 or 7 adults, a dog, a bunch of chickens, and a pile of bags. I threw my gear on the pile, grabbed a hold of the truck bed and let out the universal whistle that meant I was ready. As the truck thundered to life, I managed to say hello to everyone in Spanish, only to receive a few smiles and then silence.
After about an hour and a half of washboard road, the truck finally screeched to a halt in the town of Dureno. Dureno is a place where the Cofan have a canoe building business, and it is where they launch their canoes to begin the 275 kilometer journey down the Rio Aguarico to the village of Zabalo.
We unloaded the truck and stacked everything next to a tree that had a canoe tied to it. These canoes are very long and skinny, and at first glance you would have no idea that they can hold such an incredible amount. After loading everything it was time to shove off, and if my memory serves me there ended up being around 25 people, 8 chickens, two dogs, our luggage, and two 50-gallan barrels of gasoline that I had the pleasure of sitting next to.
The canoe had a pretty good size outboard motor attached and still they announced that we weren’t expected to get to Zabalo for another ten hours, if all went smoothly. After we made a successful ferry out of an eddy and into the current, the drinking began. Box wine was the drink of choice that day and they were generous to me, too generous. Before I new it, I was a little tipsy and loving every minute of it.
I wish I could fully describe to you how surreal it was that day in the canoe, heading out into the unknown, with people that I had just met. As soon as we left the shore in Dureno, everybody stopped speaking Spanish and switched to their native dialect, A’ingae. At this point I was a little buzzed, wide eyed, and in awe; all I could do was sit back against the railing and watch the jungle fly by.
The two weeks that I spent with the Cofan were probably some of the craziest times of my life, however, I have never met a more generous or welcoming people. As a culture that has been decimated by greedy western capitalistic culture, they never once directed any animosity towards me. I am using this blog as a look into my head, my journal, not as a platform to argue, so I wont list the many horrific things that have happened to the Cofan due to the fact that their land is rich with oil. Please visit the Cofan site and read the history of this amazing group of people.
view images
Stepping off the plane, I was met by the hottest, most humid blast of air I have ever experienced. It threw me back a little. And by the time that I walked across 100 yards of tarmac, I was already drenched in sweat. From the airport, it is short cab ride into town, and intto the chaos.
Buses, cars, mopeds, and bicycles flew down the streets at overwhelming speeds. Venders lined the main street selling anything from fish, to the latest in designer knock off sunglasses. The sounds of horns, people, and music filled the air. It was a little overwhelming at first, so I bought a coconut popsicle, sat down on my bag, and took it all in. That first night I couldn’t sleep, so I just decided to lay on my bed with the AC on high, and let the city noises serenade me.
The next morning I woke up ready to take care of business, which was trying to track down my contact. If you have read this far then you are probably wondering where I am going with this, well here it is. The reason that I went to Ecuador was to do a story on an indigenous tribe named the Cofan. I had been in contact with a tribal representative through email, which led to a name and a phone number of who to contact once I arrived in Lago Agrio. I called this number only to realize that my broken Spanish did not work at all on the phone. Without hand motions and smiles, my communication skills drastically went down hill. Although the conversation was a disaster, I was able to figure out that I would be picked up at 8:00 am the following morning to begin the trek out towards the Cuyabeno Wilderness and the Cofan village of Zabalo.
The following morning arrived quickly, and at 8:00 am I was sitting contently on my bag out in front of the hotel, enjoying another coconut popsicle. Twenty minutes rolled past, then an hour, then two hours, and still there was no sign of my ride. Finally, around noon a beat up old wood sided truck pulled up in front of me, and the adventure began.
I walked around to the back of the truck only to find that they barely had room for me, already sitting there were around 5 children, 6 or 7 adults, a dog, a bunch of chickens, and a pile of bags. I threw my gear on the pile, grabbed a hold of the truck bed and let out the universal whistle that meant I was ready. As the truck thundered to life, I managed to say hello to everyone in Spanish, only to receive a few smiles and then silence.
After about an hour and a half of washboard road, the truck finally screeched to a halt in the town of Dureno. Dureno is a place where the Cofan have a canoe building business, and it is where they launch their canoes to begin the 275 kilometer journey down the Rio Aguarico to the village of Zabalo.
We unloaded the truck and stacked everything next to a tree that had a canoe tied to it. These canoes are very long and skinny, and at first glance you would have no idea that they can hold such an incredible amount. After loading everything it was time to shove off, and if my memory serves me there ended up being around 25 people, 8 chickens, two dogs, our luggage, and two 50-gallan barrels of gasoline that I had the pleasure of sitting next to.
The canoe had a pretty good size outboard motor attached and still they announced that we weren’t expected to get to Zabalo for another ten hours, if all went smoothly. After we made a successful ferry out of an eddy and into the current, the drinking began. Box wine was the drink of choice that day and they were generous to me, too generous. Before I new it, I was a little tipsy and loving every minute of it.
I wish I could fully describe to you how surreal it was that day in the canoe, heading out into the unknown, with people that I had just met. As soon as we left the shore in Dureno, everybody stopped speaking Spanish and switched to their native dialect, A’ingae. At this point I was a little buzzed, wide eyed, and in awe; all I could do was sit back against the railing and watch the jungle fly by.
The two weeks that I spent with the Cofan were probably some of the craziest times of my life, however, I have never met a more generous or welcoming people. As a culture that has been decimated by greedy western capitalistic culture, they never once directed any animosity towards me. I am using this blog as a look into my head, my journal, not as a platform to argue, so I wont list the many horrific things that have happened to the Cofan due to the fact that their land is rich with oil. Please visit the Cofan site and read the history of this amazing group of people.
view images
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)