How are you? We're fine! We just got back from three months
on the Peruvian Amazon. We thought you'd like to know what we
did with the $1000 donation you gave us to protect the giant
trees of the Amazon.
Our story begins the night we are to leave Iquitos for Connecticut.
The Captain of our boat on the voyage you took with us came over
to say goodbye. We talked of our last voyage together while sipping "demasiado
raices" in the courtyard of our home. Tropical plants threw
exotic shadows on the old plaster walls. Erman, the Captain,
looked around a nd said, "Why don't you buy this place?"
Gerry said "If I buy anything, it will be the high jungle
with the giant trees on the banks of the Rio Marañon." Erman
said, "That land is still for sale. I know the owner. She
lives around the corner from here."
Gerry and I looked at each other and said, "Let's Go!"
That night we waited outside her door in a tropical downpour.
She arrived in a taxi rickshaw. Erman introduced us and explained
our mission. The carved wooden door of the building opened into
palatial surroundings. The noise of the busy street was shut
out.
Yes! She will sell the land to us because she came home to find
us waiting by her door at night in the rain. The timber company
with whom she had been negotiating had not yet responded to her
acceptance of their offer. She would sell the land to us.
But, before our decision could continue, she must have a down
payment of $1000! We were holding that amount from you, K, for
just such a chance. The money was handed over.
We all met the next morning at the lawyer's office to draw up
contracts and titles embellished with finger prints, signatures,
wax seals and more cash drawn from our credit card accounts.
It was done! Gerry and I agreed to transfer the unpaid balance
to her from America.
The name of the land was "Cazual" meaning "By
Chance" or "Fortuitous." She asked us if we wanted
to change the name. How could we when the name so perfectly reflected
the way in which we were given "the chance" to protect
such a huge tract of virgin rainforest.
The original land deed states that "Cazual" consists
of one mile of riverfront going back ten miles into "terrenos
balidos" meaning "unknown territory." We will
all go there together the next time you travel the Amazon with
us.
Many thanks and much love,
Chris and Gerry
