The Adventure Continues

Rio Cumbaza flows through Tarapoto on its way to the Amazon.
The rivers (and airplanes) are the only transportation east
from Tarapoto 

Peace Corps has once again invited me to serve as a water and sanitation specialist – this time, in Tarapoto, Peru – in the Amazon Basin. I’ll be the first Volunteer ever sent there, though many others, including some of my WASH 18 group served in Chachapoyas, about 4 hours away and high (7,000 ft) on the eastern side of the Andes. I’ll be at about 900 ft altitude, 1800 miles (straight line) from the mouth of the Amazon River. I begin my new assignment in mid January, 2019.

I’m excited about the assignment and at the prospect of returning to my beloved Peru and all my friends and host families there. I’m flattered that the PC Peru staff reached out and invited me back for another adventure and opportunity to serve the good folks of Peru.

The Beaver is now my mobile home, though with gas mileage
of only 4.3 MPG, I don't travel far.

Meanwhile, I am thoroughly enjoying my time here in beautiful Fort Myers, FL, getting to spend some long-overdue time with my son and 4 grandchildren. Alden found a very comfortable Beaver 31 RV, which I bought. He also got me a spot in the RV park right across the street from the firehouse where he works. I have a scanner that alerts me to his calls, so I can step outside and cheer the lads on, as they head out for emergency calls. I also get to eat dinner with the fire crew on occasion – a great bunch of men. When Alden was called to an emergency at my neighbor’s trailer, I got to see him in action – so proud of him, what he does and how he does it.

The Beaver kitchen includes a microwave/convection oven and a dishwasher

Plenty of space in the Beaver living room

It’s also been a joy to explore this area of Florida, after living exclusively on the Right Coast for so many years. The many rivers, bays, estuaries and islands have captivated me, though the beaches and surf are somewhat lacking. I arrived just at the end of a Red Tide and algae bloom, which cast a great pall on the areas beaches. I’ve visited Sanibel/ Captiva and most of the other areas around here, with Pine Island and Bokeelia being my favorite spots. The mango plantations and “Old Florida” rural feel are a welcome respite from the mega condos and over-development of the “other” coast.

Alden and the kiddles come to visit

I’ve visited the shrimp fleet and sampled their pink delights, learned about the gladiolus bulb industry which dominated the area from the 1940’s to 1980, and about the history of the beautiful Calusa Indians, who populated the area and fended off 2 incursions by the famed Ponce de Leon, though eventually succumbing to their universal gift of European disease.

 

Entertaining some of my new neighbors

Alden's firehouse Engine and Rescue 72 are right across the street

Dinner with Alden and his great crew at the firehouse

Grampa introducing the kids to the microscopic world

My angelic grand-daughters

Lover's Beach, south of Ft Myers beach

The community is proud of their beaches. I've helped with
two beach clean-ups since I arrived

Thoroughly enjoying my time until January, when……

The Adventure Continues.