Monday, June 05, 2017

Travel Bite no. 73: El Chino        
Duncan MacSwain to you (Bcc) + 1 moreshow detailsshow image slideshow


Hi Traveler,
Welcome to Travel Bite no. 73:  El Chino

El Chino:  population 200, no roads, no cars, no bikes.
A four hour boat trip from Iquitos, 15 minutes by boat from the Tahuayo Lodge. 

El Chino is subject to annual flooding.
The water level rises and falls dependent on snow melt from the eastern slope of the Andes.
The water level will rise 35-40 feet each year, sometimes more.
I took the attached photo last September.
Last month the water level was at the top of the ladder and level with the grass field on top.
I was able to step directly from my boat onto the grass field.
    No wonder houses are on stilts.

The new high school opened with 19 students two years ago.
Last year there were 30 students and three teachers.
Friend and fellow high school teacher Glen Dickey taught a one session math class there last year.
I taught a biology lab. Fun. Somewhat challenging for each of us.

I’ll lead a group of 21 Leadership class students, two staff members and two parents, to the Amazon next week. 
Students will be spending part of the time in El Chino with their new pen pals.
They will also provide needed active support for a few village projects.
And students will bring soccer balls, basketballs, frisbees, and three large world maps -
one for each classroom at the high school.
The trip promises eight days filled with adventure in the Amazon jungle, good will and intercultural immersion.

Have a great two weeks.
Look for Travel Bite 74 on Monday, June 26th.
Duncan
  
show image slideshow

 
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