Some field updates from the rainforest

Hey guys!!

I hope everyone is doing well as the leaves are changing back in the states (which I miss so much!), enjoying all the Halloween festivities, cooler weather, and yummy foods.

It’s starting to become hotter during the day here and there is WAY more rain. Welcome to the rainy season!!! *nervous laugh*

The days have been long, ranging from around 12-14 hours a day including lunch and some data entering. We have a group of 5 and one research assistant to help us. The field life has been good. It’s been a great season to see some amazing animals so far and have many good laughs with both new and old friends.

The typical day starts by waking up at 4:30am, leaving by 5am, coming back for lunch around 12, then back in the field until around 5pm. After that- a quick shower, enter some data, eat dinner, then back to bed we go. We have a personal chef that cooks 3 meals for us each day however we have to take breakfast to-go because we leave so early haha. There is lots of rice, eggs, beans, quinoa, lentils, soup, chicken/fish, veggies, and delicious juice. Pretty simple yet very yummy after a long day out in the rainforest.

BBC is coming the 2nd week of November for the first set of recordings. We are super excited but also super nervous. Field work is both a huge advantage and disadvantage. Not being in an office is absolutely fantastic but nature doesn’t always cooperate exactly haha.

So far so good is the best phrase I think I can use for my almost 4 weeks here so far. It’s really an eye opener seeing nature around you 24/7 and being apart of the vast ecosystem here. I love feeling connected to God, Mother Nature, and just really feeling alive. It really is the little things when it comes down to it; playing games, telling a funny story, sharing a good laugh because you both are bleeding from bamboo, jamming to some old school throwback tunes, etc. etc.

Just a little advice from me to you: if you ever get the chance to travel (can even be to the next state over) DO IT! Worth every second. Worth the money. Worth the jet lag/lack of sleep. It’s some of the best memories you’ll make and keep throughout a lifetime. Bring your friends, make new ones, and overall just have a kick butt time.

Like I say every time, go take an adventure and just live a little.

Talk to you guys soon,

Luke