bosque walks
Granja Organica, Jatun Sacha
Granja Organica, or the Organic Farm, is one of 5 activities for volunteers at Jatun Sacha to get involved in. Set in tranquil surroundings about a 10 minute walk from the main site, Granja Organica´s purpose is to experiment ways to improve production of vegetables and plants in poor soil areas and to produce natural pesticides and fertilisers with a view to passing on gained knowledge to the local communitites.
Perhaps here, more than the other areas of Jatun Sacha, the immediate results of a day´s work can be seen. Managed by Pedro, volunteers undertake a variety of tasks from moving worms from one compost stand to another, building a base for a shelter for the plants from the weather and adding a plastic roof the next day, sewing nets to protect the seedlings from insects or returning to the roof that blew off because it wasn´t deemed necessary at the beginning to tie it down! Occasionally the initative had to be taken over Pedro who is quite happy, although probably unaware he is doing this, to allow the volunteers to stand and watch while he does most of the work.
One way some volunteers tried to fill their spare time while they were supposed to working was by tasting the small, round and red vegetables that look like peppers. However for all those brave enough to sink their teeth into one of these innocent looking vegetables they soon realised the error of their way when the rather hot chilli left them gulping countless mouthfuls of water!
After dinner during our time at the research station, Jatun Sacha we would peacefully sit on the hammocks as the sun went down and have the same conversation night after night. ´What are we going to do tonight?´ It was always the same welcome reply.....´go to the bar´.
It´s always quite fortunate to be situated 5 minutes staggering distance from the closest watering hole when you´re in the jungle for weeks on end. Although our bar had no name...(that we knew of)...it was run by the family of the village president, Don Gabriel. The bar is closely guarded by a rather beligerent dog - but shining your torch directly in his eyes usually backs him down.
If you like variety in your drinks...look no further. El Bar de Gabriel serves the very best Pilsener, Crystal Limon and Rum. The crystal limon has to be recommended, being one of the few drinks that can get you from sober to comatose for under $5. It´s a good atmosphere and the family play an interesting mix of The Police, Salsa and our old favourite...the German version of the song, ´Moscow´. When this comes on, it has become almost religious ceremony for the whole bar to stand up, join in a circle and make can-can like movements while individuals take it in turns to astound everyone else with their dancing prowess in the middle.
There is plenty of salsa opportunity too as many of the locals are more than keen to show you their moves. There is even a glitter ball and atmospheric red lighting. If you get the opportunity, dance with one of the bosque guards from the research station called,´El Gato´ - it´s an experience not to be missed.
The bar will also oblige if you wish to see live football matches and if you are really lucky...you may see the famed boa constrictor that lives in the roof or a tarantula passing through for a quick one before the nightly hunt.
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