Friday, January 15, 2010
The Land Before Time
There is something inherently magic in really old trees, and, for that matter, ancient forests as well. Standing underneath something that has been alive since the beginning of human beings' ability to record history - and is still alive today - makes mankind’s achievements seem a bit superfluous.
I felt compelled, no driven, to spend some time in the Alerce forests. The Alerce is an evergreen tree growing in the Andean rainforests of southern Chile and Argentina and is the second oldest living organism on the planet, after the Bristlecone Pine. I missed my opportunity to see the Alerce when in Esquel, and so I have seized the chance here, close to Puerto Montt, in the Parque Nacional Alerce Andino.
This place is really so much more than the Alerce trees though - it is a primeval forest with hummingbirds and woodpeckers in force, bees the size of a walnut (with shell) giant trees completely covered in epiphytes, and of course, multi-thousand year old Alerce trees. This is truly The Land Before Time...I don't care what Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas say (actually that movie was an anthem for me when I was six).
Moreover, the weather gods have finally smiled in my direction. I was given two cloudless and utterly beautiful days in a place that generally recieves 3.5 -4 meters of rain per year...very rare. I thank you, oh Weather God, be assured that I have sacraficed in your honor (maybe not a lamb, but definately some flies!).
On a completely less magical note, I am trading temperate rainforests for Chile's central valley's agricultural hub. I am off now to work on a farm in Los Angeles for a guy I met while on the boat last week.
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More information please. How long are you going to work for the guy in LA? Do you intend to return to South America after your stint on the farm? These and many more questions spring to mind, and yes I do know I am a nosy parker. Loving reading your blog (and Matt & Erin's) take care, stay safe,
ReplyDeleteLove F&S
Hey Sylvia. I should be on the farm for the weeks or so...and the LA is in Chile, not California...so I'm not leaving South America, yet.
ReplyDeleteF-ing awesome. Keep up the good work!
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