Training Day

I just got back from our training day. I learned so much today! First we had a delicious breakfast of omelettes, toast, oatmeal, and fruit. Then we sat down in the "dining room" area and Sally, the principal investigator, gave a talk about what we'll be doing for the next week. She explained that the goal of this project is to prove that the rainforest can be used to make money in a responsible way that does not destroy the environment. Our job here is to take measurements on a variety of trees, so we had to learn how to use all the different tools. Here are photos of the dining area and Sally:

Then we were off on a hike into the rainforest! We had to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect ourselves from razor grass and toxic tree sap. It was a HOT and HUMID day, so I got pretty gross and sweaty! We hiked for a while until we found some trees to practice taking measurements. My favorite tool to measure with is called a "clinometer". We used it to measure the height of each tree.. Just being out in the rainforest for the first time was amazing! It is a beautiful place, and I can see why Sally and her team are trying to find ways to preserve it. Here is a photo of the canopy (top layer) as I looked up at it from the ground:

Here's a challenge for you: I took this photo of an interesting plant I saw in the rainforest. See if you can figure out what it is!

(Hint: it hasn't quite "unfurled" itself yet.)

It didn't rain yet today, but I'm hoping for some later tonight! After all, it IS a RAINforest!

I finally made it!

After a long day of traveling, I'm finally here in the middle of the beautiful green Puerto Rican rainforest. (Although my luggage didn't quite make it yet... but that's another story.) I flew out of Phoenix at midnight and arrived in San Juan at 1:20 p.m. As soon as I stepped outside, I could feel the humidity. My hair, skin, and clothes all felt immediately damp and sticky, which I am not used to at all, since I live in a desert! Then I met up with my team: another teacher from Boston and 9 other volunteers, all very interesting people from different parts of the world. We packed all of our luggage in a big white van and crammed in. Then we drove for an hour and a half out of the city and into the rainforest. As we drove, I watched the scenery pass by and I couldn't believe how green everything is here! There are giant trees and plants with massive leaves!

When we got here, we were given a tour by Sally Silverstone, the principal investigator for this expedition. She showed us where we would be sleeping... women in a bunkhouse (I'm on a top bunk!) and men in tents. We saw the bathroom, which is basically a small building with stalls containing showers and toilets. The kitchen is in a separate building, and the living/dining area is attached to it, but it's an open-air area with no walls... just a roof with tables, chairs, and a comfy hammock underneath. To get from "room" to "room", you basically follow a path outside. It's so neat! I am surrounded by nature!

I can already hear the call of the coqui frogs all around me. They are pretty noisy, and as the evening grows darker, they are getting even louder! I think I'll be using my earplugs tonight. I'm off to bed early, since I didn't sleep much on my flight. Tomorrow is supposed to be a "training day", where I'll learn all about the project and how to use the different tools. Check back tomorrow for an update!

Almost ready!

Wow! I can't believe I'll be in the rainforest of Puerto Rico in just a few days! I spent this past weekend looking over my packing checklist to make sure I have everything I need. I will be taking lots of extra socks and t-shirts... I don't want to be walking around in wet clothes. I'll need to use my BIG suitcase!

I have been looking online to learn more about the rainforest and the coqui (tree frog). Here are a couple of good websites I found:

Eye on the Rainforest (Info. about the place where I'll be staying and working)

Coqui tree frog (About the coqui)

You can also learn more about my expedition by clicking on the links under the map on the right side of this page, or by clicking here: Earthwatch Expedition

I am getting so excited for this adventure! I hope you'll check in on me to see what I'm doing... you can post comments and questions, and I'll answer you!