Author: Curtis

Kathy and Curtis stand on the banks of the Mara River

    The migration consists of 1.7 million wildebeest who wander in a large circular region throughout Kenya and Tanzania, following seasonal availability of grazing and water. The migration has various interwoven parts. There are the wildebeest themselves who get it all started. Then there are the zebras who travel along with the wildebeest as companions, along with gazelles, antelopes and impalas. Then there are the predators. The crocodiles lie in wait in the rivers, waiting for a meal to cross. Following the large migrating herds are the large cats and hyenas, right on their heels, picking off the young, old and weak stragglers. Lastly comes the cleanup crew, the vultures. Oh, and I forgot to mention the humans. Dozens of Land Cruisers, loaded with tourists and their cameras, lining the riverbanks watching the spectacle unfold Read more →

 
One of the best ways to discover what a country is all about is through their food. The Netherlands is no exception. We checked around and discovered that one traditional local food is none other than “Pickled Herring”.

Curtis buying the herring at a sidewalk stand

My Story of Tracking Gorillas in Rwanda and the Congo

The Maasai are a semi-nomadic ethnic group of people living in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. (Wikipedia: Maasai People)

Village Map Diagram

Upon arrival just outside the village we were greeted by the chief’s eldest son. I paid him $50 to allow unfettered access to the village and permission to take photographs of the people and structures. When we first arrived in Africa our guide explained that people here are generally very private and do not like their photo being taken. But, they are willing overlook this for a little cash, and $50 goes a really long way in a remote village like this.
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This is a three part series on the Kichwa people living near the Yasuni National Park in the eastern Ecuadorian Amazon Basin along the Napo River. In Part 1 of the series, we discuss the village, schools, and infrastructure. In Part 2 of the series, we visit a Kichwa farm. In Part 3 of the series, we visit a cultural center and see how the Kichwa women are working to preserve their culture.

Part 3 – The Cultural Center

During our recent trip to the Amazon, we have several opportunities to visit with the local indigenous population. We were able to visit a Kichwa community, a Kichwa farm, and a Kichwa cultural area.

The Kichwa (or Quechua) are an indigenous people in South America. They speak the Kichwa language, which is also the same language the Inca’s spoke. They are found primarily in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. Total population of Kichwa people is between 10 and 11 million people, with about 2.5 million of them in Ecuador.

In Part 1 of the series, we looked at a village commune and visited a school.

In Part 2 of the series, we looked at a farm.

Our third visit was to an Añangu Kichwa Cultural Center. Read more →

This is a three part series on the Kichwa people living near the Yasuni National Park in the eastern Ecuadorian Amazon Basin along the Napo River. In Part 1 of the series, we discuss the village, schools, and infrastructure. In Part 2 of the series, we visit a Kichwa farm. In Part 3 of the series, we visit a cultural center and see how the Kichwa women are working to preserve their culture.

Part 2 – The Farm

During our recent trip to the Amazon, we have several opportunities to visit with the local indigenous population. We were able to visit a Kichwa community, a Kichwa farm, and a Kichwa cultural area.

The Kichwa (or Quechua) are an indigenous people in South America. They speak the Kichwa language, which is also the same language the Inca’s spoke. They are found primarily in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. Total population of Kichwa people is between 10 and 11 million people, with about 2.5 million of them in Ecuador.

In Part 1 of the series, we looked at a village commune and visited a school.

Our second visit was to a Kichwa farm. Read more →

This is a three part series on the Kichwa people living near the Yasuni National Park in the eastern Ecuadorian Amazon Basin along the Napo River. In Part 1 of the series, we discuss the village, schools, and infrastructure. In Part 2 of the series, we visit a Kichwa farm. In Part 3 of the series, we visit a cultural center and see how the Kichwa women are working to preserve their culture.

Part 1 – The Village Commune

 
During our recent trip to the Amazon, we had several opportunities to visit with the local indigenous population. We were able to visit a Kichwa community, a Kichwa farm, and a Kichwa cultural area.

The Kichwa (or Quechua) are an indigenous people in South America. They speak the Kichwa language, which is also the same language the Incas spoke. They are found primarily in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. Total population of Kichwa people is between 10 and 11 million people, with about 2.5 million of them in Ecuador.

Our first visit was to a Kichwa commune. Read more →