Sunday 12 July 2009

Reflections of a Galapagos Volunteer

I feel a huge wrench to have left Jatun Sacha and all the friends I have made during my stay there.

My expectations of this trip were so mixed and any negative worries about whether I would physically cope were completely unfounded. The only negatives actually experienced were the silly niggles you get on any trip under difficult conditions.
So, is my judgement clouded because of the romance of Galapagos?
Possibly...

Is it the people that made it so special? For sure...

Is it Jatun Sacha itself? Certainly...

This has been one of the most amazing experiences I have had ever had the privilege to be part of. I almost think life changing. Cliched? Of course! But true.

The Galapagos archipelago is a very special place and "Jatun Sacha" is part of that package.

They say you should never go back and I would have to seriously think about returning for that reason alone. I'm not getting any younger and this is definately a younger person's venture unless you have the right mentality (which I think I do).

I managed two weeks with no additional adverse physical problems to what the younger people experienced. In fact, some younger people had a difficult time.

I would highly recommend the Jatun Sacha San Cristobal Station if you want to work on land conservation and take part in the wonderful work the staff and the volunteers undertake. If you want to go there to "work with the animals" then this is not the trip for you. There are no animals there to look after (unless you count doing bird observations or equiv).

If, after reading my blogs you think you might like to spend some time in this magical location giving something back to the land (or in the case of the mora, taking something away), don't faff about! Just go for it!


Adios Jatun Sacha!