Water for El Dorado

About 15 miles from Iquitos we visited El Dorado. A village of about 700 including the surrounding area, have been getting their water from a pond that is used for many other things besides drinking.

We worked with Operation Blessing to hook up a Clean Water system to provide them with a virtually unlimited supply of clean water.




Before we went out to El Dorado, we loaded up on candy and toys for the children. 20 bucks goes a very long way.







This is the system.















The mayor came out to thank us and explain to the people that clean water meant less disease and longer lives for all.














I don't want to sound like Sally Struthers here, but is truly unbelievable until you see it with your own eyes. They live in such poverty (poverty that would make the poorest Americans look wealthy) and are so appreciative of the kindness we showed them.



Saying good bye to the kids.

Location:El Dorado, Peru

First Day in Iquitos

We arrived at the hotel in Iquitos early Sunday morning. Iquitos is a pretty busy city about 400,000 population that is known as the largest city that you can't get to be road. Located in the Amazon basin it is cut off from the rest of Peru by the Andes Mountains. It was a big rubber boom town in the late 1800s but not much has happened since.



The primary means of transportation in and around the city is motorcycle and moto-taxi, which is a rickshaw pulled by a motorcycle.


Rather than go to sleep after flying all night, we decided to go down to the market in Belen. We met up with another small group of tourists that had a guide to show us around the market.


His name was Angel and he is training to be a tour guide. He took good care of us.




The Belen market is huge; it is mostly outdoors and booths wind up and down the streets for miles. Sunday is market day so it was fairly crowded.

They sell the typical fruits and vegetables alongside just about everything else you could want (or not want).




Lots of chicken.




...and more magical potions and natural remedies than you could imagine.






Not really sure what kind of meat this is...




... But that's definitely monkey meat.




We also took a boat ride on the River Itayo which runs through the Iquitos area and connects to the Amazon. There was a baptism ceremony down by the riverbank.








We took a walk through one of the poorest parts of town - waterfront property. Waterfront is not considered prime property here and only the poorest people get stuck living there. Mostly due to how inconvenient it is when the river rises 40 feet during the rainy season. They either build their houses on stilts.




Or build houses that can float up and down with the changing water level.




Tomorrow we get up early to visit our first village in need of clean water.

Location:Iquitos, Peru

Leaving tomorrow

One more night in my own bed. Tomorrow I fly through Atlanta to Lima, followed by a flight to Iquitos arriving Sunday morning.

I have had all my shots and meds for all manner of diseases we don't ever worry about in the USA. Since there is somewhat of a dengue fever outbreak in the jungle and it is summer and the rainy season, I had to pack all types of mosquito repellents and deterrents. No vaccination for dengue unfortunately.

Next time I sleep in my own bed will be March 9th.





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Peru Trip

So, a lot of people want to know why I am going to Peru. Well, the short answer is "it just sounded like it would be interesting". The slightly longer answer follows:

Last year, my Rotary Club decided to send some of our members down to Peru to install some clean water systems we had funded. Due to some family commitments, I was unable to go on this trip, so when the opportunity came up again for 2011, I decided to go. Peru has not really been at the top or even middle of my travel bucket list, but sometimes you just have to take opportunities as they arise.

The next question I get is "Are you going to Machu Picchu?" The answer to that one is a No. It seems everyone who goes to Peru (other than me) makes a side trip to Machu Picchu, but I just couldn't fit it in. Kind of like going to China and not seeing that Wall, I guess.

I will be gone for a total of 11 days, part of the time I will be in the area of Iquitos, Peru in remote villages setting up the water systems and generally being a good ambassador for Rotary International. Part of the time, I will be part of an Amazon Basin Eco Tour and finally I will spend a little bit of time in Peru's capital of Lima.

Departure date is less than two weeks away: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011.

As we get closer to the date, I will post more details about my itinerary and the places I will visit. Hopefully, while I am on the trip I will be able to update this blog with pictures and detailed accounts, but internet access might be difficult at times. We'll see.