What I saw this week, the feelings I felt and the things I experienced are the type of which I can not even express to you. This is my third attempt at trying to explain:
First let me give you a bit of back ground. Its a project started by some French guy to attempt to protect a section of Laos' old growth jungle. Since we all know that slash and burn practices are not the best things for the forest ecosystems, the French guy has introduced ecotourism to the local villages surrounding a forest reserve.
The ride from the boarder of Laos to the "base camp" was extraordinary if not a bit... or really really...painful. My less the good judgement got me a seat in the bed of a truck. I willingly volunteered to sit, for 3 hours up a dirt "road" with pot holes so big and deep I swear if all the muddy water were to be sucked out of them, you could stare straight down into a dark abyss and see straight through the earth to the USA. In some areas the road was like a large orange mud slide and the trucks would slide SIDEWAYS down. Thankfully my death grip won me my life. But, I would have sat in that jostling truck bed for 8 more hours for what was up a head.
We passed small villages who's houses were made out of grass and palm leaves, where children were running around naked and women were walking around topless. We passed green rice patties shimmering in the wind. Then, a steep 2 hour trek up got us deep into the jungle to base camp, where we then zip lined to our tree house. (pause) Yes, I said tree house. And yes, it is everything you are imaging, but more. Complete with a bathroom with running water, shower and sink, three 
bed rooms and a kitchen lounge area. With hammocks. In a fig tree. On the very top of the canopy.
bed rooms and a kitchen lounge area. With hammocks. In a fig tree. On the very top of the canopy. Looking out, all you see is deep, deep green. A green so alive you can feel it. I can not describe what I felt looking over that blanket of trees and vines, but I can tell you I've only felt it 2 other times in my life, one of those times was at white haven beach in Australia.
The sound was an experience in it's self. The constant clicking and singing and screeching of the insects was so blaringly loud. My ears are still ringing. And then there was gibbon's song, which reverberated above all, across the hills and valleys right around to our tree house.
I'm going to stop there because I am afraid if I go on, my poor language and writing will taint the picture forming in your head. So instead, I'll just let your brain finish what I've started.
But I will say this: Those few days showed me so many new elements to life. So many important and beautiful images that the world only offers a few lucky people. And only a few of those lucky people really grasp the grandeur. Ex: What it truly means to live in poverty in a small village. Why we need to keep the rainforest's around. How truly thankful we should be for paved roads. (Questions I will address in the next blog).
Now I can check off one of my life long goals: Live in a tree house- check.
Life update:
I can now successfully pee in a squat toilet. Thank you.
I've been attacked by bed bugs 4 nights in a row... Gaa-ross.
I've been attacked by bed bugs 4 nights in a row... Gaa-ross.
My digestive system is doing great.
Going to the islands day after tomorrow (I cant wait!).
