Alice in Wonderland

Last night I began reading Alice in Wonderland, and from what I’ve read so far it seems that Alice and I are having fairly similar experiences. I didn’t grow or shrink, but like Alice, I’m beginning to think that strange things may not really be all that out-of-the-ordinary. Today, we were stopped at a traffic light when a kid came out in front of us to juggle volleyballs in the street. Today it was volleyballs, yesterday machetes, maybe tomorrow he’ll juggle puppies—who knows. Brad continues to get frustrated with the illogical driving we so often observe, but as I’ve spent more time behind the wheel than he has I’ve found that it’s easier for me to just expect people to do crazy things on the road. Then it’s a pleasant surprise when the other cars (and people, and bicyclists, and dogs etc.) behave themselves. Brad’s driving is much improved, so the more he drives the sooner he’s likely to join me in “wonderland.”

This morning I had an important meeting for my research, and this afternoon I began Spanish lessons while Brad worked at Fundacion Donum. As for the meeting, we made a schedule for field work and will go Thursday to identify additional sites for my study. I guess I should explain my study in a little bit of detail. There are three main objectives:
1. To study the critically endangered Atelopus exiguus at Mazan and in the surrounding Parque Nacional Cajas. I’ve already begun this part of the study, because the main study site is a 30 min walk from our house. Additional surveying is going to require the assistance of knowledgeable rangers to access the back country in Cajas. I plan to do these surveys once a month.
2. To study chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease of amphibians, in Gastrotheca pseustes the marsupial frog. To accomplish this, I will be setting up study sites at 500m intervals from 2000m- 4500m. I identified some of these sites when I was here last February, but need to find a few more sites. This is what we plan to do on Thursday. I will be studying both adults and tadpoles of this species. I plan to visit each site once a month.
3. To work with the lab techs at Amphibian Conservation Mazan to establish better husbandry techniques for Gastrotheca pseustes, and to study development of tadpoles that I will collect from my six sites identified above. This will require time spent in the laboratory near our house, and improved Spanish so I can effectively communicate with Fausto and Diego, the techs.
Ok, so now you’re really filled in on why we are here. It’s really pretty cool to be working with local people toward the conservation of endangered species. In many places, captive breeding is the only actively pursued method of conservation. Here, we’re working toward conservation of amphibians in their native habitat while we’re also trying to establish facilities for captive husbandry. Also, the work is connected to a local zoo, Zoologico Amaru. This is the place that my friend Ernesto created on the first floor of his mother’s house. It hosts local school groups, Cuencanos, and international visitors every day. Their goal is to teach about the animals and about conservation. I am hopeful that my work here will provide additional material for education efforts of the zoo.

My Spanish school is called Simon Bolivar, and I hope to study 8 hrs/ week. Most schools require 10-20, but with my research schedule, Brad’s hospital schedule, and living 45 min from the city, 8 hours is as much as I can manage. My professor is a young woman named Berta, and I think we will get along well. Today we spoke in conversation for the first 30 minutes of the lesson, and I think she was trying to gauge my level. Let me assure you, the lessons are much needed! It is nice to have someone who is patient in listening to me speak, and can help me find the correct words or grammar to complete my thoughts. The school has its own curriculum, and in the next weeks we will (hopefully!) progress through the intricacies of the Spanish language as well as customs and phrases specific to Ecuador.

Happy “ride your bike” day! Our friends here are also observing the holiday, and on our way to work we saw several critical masses of students on bike! Today also marks our 4 month anniversary :)