Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Prologue-A Paraque's Dream

As promised, I begin my journals today on Guatemala.  This blog post is about getting ready for these big trips.  They always start with an idea. Then they are followed by a financial plan.  Doubt and anxiety are followed.  Most of us call this a vacation.  For me, it's escaping into a new world full of unknowns.  I find that the older I get, the more anxious I become about those unknowns.  I've been on enough of these trips to prepare for those feelings.  And yet.......
Sun rising over the Avocado farms
I fall in between the lines of young and old. Many times on these trips, I'll come across the younglings who have just graduated from high school or are in the middle of college.  It's grand being a young person.  You know everything and everything is soooooo.....you know......cool!  It's like......spiritual.  To prepare for these "free spirited" people, I now try to remove myself from the kinds of places they stay. It doesn't always work. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not antisocial.  But I've been there and done that in my life.  Sadly, for many young people, it's their last big international party before settling down, getting married and having kids.  They have opinions about everything and of course will list off all the places they've traveled in this world to make themselves appear much more intelligent.  Later at night, they will drink lots, speak loudly, and have plenty of free love.  This is the way of the dirty hostels:)  And I admit that when I was their age, it was pretty damned exciting.  But one grows older........
Rufous-collared Sparrow

I avoid these places as much as I can, but as you can imagine, some towns don't always offer these accommodations.  And then you're stuck.  Such was the case in Panama several years ago.  The drunk young ones declared they would be rafting in the morning. We've heard a thing about drinking and driving or texting and driving, etc.  I'd like to add to that list, "Drinking and Rafting".   Needless to say, I did not go on their raft as they had flipped it several times.  I don't know how many panicked kids we pulled out of the water, but it was fun utilizing our safety procedures until I went in trying to help someone out of the water in the middle of the rapids!  It was an adventurous day.
Howler Monkey
So this time, I planned for some quiet and magical places where my thoughts were my own. The night before my trip, I dreamed of birds. I sat at the internet and researched all the birds asking myself, "Can I find all these birds?  Will I be able to enjoy this stay without birds taking over my mind? I dreamed that I was a Paraque.  I flew everywhere.  Seeing everything. Nothing could hide from my night vision.  I knew where to find them all.  As I flew back at dawn, I saw Red Crossbills drinking from a fountain!  Since I've begun this birding quest, I find myself fighting to keep sane. On this trip, I brought my first ever hummingbird feeder.  Would I remember to look up and breathe?
Groove-billed Ani
It was a strange dream.  You know the ones that make you cry?  In this dream, my mother gave me a wooden bug cage that I used once to capture butterflies, spiders and flies.  The gift came from my deceased Grandmother a long long time ago.  But the cage was now open and I remember my Grandmother smiling. I held the item in my hands and began to weep.  I woke up with tears staining my pillow case.  It was one of those intense dreams that kept me up for the remainder of the early morning hours.
Black Vulture
How many times have I gone to so many countries and never really watched birds? I've spent my entire life learning about people and their habits. But now it's different.  I'm finding myself  pulled in the opposite direction.....away from people.  It is precisely why I returned to Guatemala a second time.  I remember birds everywhere while we were on this trip and yet I was only focused on photography.  As of 2011, much of my work was photography based on cultural trends or themes. My friend Lynda reminded me to expand my views and hopefully, I'll present something new and fresh beyond birds. Over the next several months, I'll weave in these adventures and reports with my current AZ treks. There is a lot to share! More to come....

23 comments:

  1. Chris, I enjoyed this first post on your trip. The birds and scenery are beautiful. I loved seeing and hearing the howler monkeys in Costa Rica. I tend to avoid the young crowds and the party scenes lately, those days are in past. Looking forward to reading more about your trip. Have a great day!

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  2. Great post Chris and wonderful photos. Am so looking forward to reading about all your adventures and birding exploits.

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  3. Do podróży należy się przygotować, a nie iść na żywioł. Młodzi ludzie wolą jednak inaczej i to jest niedobre. Życzę, aby Twoje oczekiwania w Gwatemali spełniły się. Pozdrawiam.
    The trip should be prepared, and do not go with the flow. Young people, however, prefer a different way and this is not good. I hope that your expectations were fulfilled in Guatemala. Yours.

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  4. I really enjoyed these insights and the reality of what we look for in our different stages of life. I look forward to more.

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  5. that opening view is gorgeous. and dreams like that - the ones that reach right down and squeeze your heart - can stay with you.

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  6. You've really whetted my appetite with this post, Chris. Really looking forward to the rest of it!

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  7. Really enjoyed this and last post Chris, things have been a bit intense for you, glad that you've decided to relax a bit and broaden your scope. So what are the main differences between twitchers and birders?

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  8. The sun rising over the farms is so beautiful; I love the combo of colors. The Howler must have been fun to watch! Dreams can be such powerful events for sure...take care!

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  9. Great post Chris..I like the monkey and Guatemala is a beautiful natur country..have a nice day

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  10. I look forward to all of your posts about your summer --and the great trips you had... I've followed you on FB --so I do know some of what you have done. Looking forward to more of your thoughts and photos.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  11. Gorgeous pictures! I'm looking forward to seeing more.

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  12. Guess there's a time when most of us outgrow the drunken parties. I'd say your dream shows how you open your mind. So looking forward to the coming posts.

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  13. A wonderful post Chris and a marvelous way to write about the way we are now thinking at a more, I should say, mature time in life. Priorities are different. And these will change in time too.
    The power of now the way Eckhart Tolle writes about.
    I can't wait to follow you in your trip.

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  14. Great photos Chris, and the first one is unique.

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  15. New birds everywhere you look by the look of it - very jealous!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  16. I'm 44 and actively avoid hanging out with braggarts in their 20's who talk loudly to make sure everyone knows how cool they are. I'd much rather hang out with birds, too.

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  17. how fascinating to actually see a wild monkey like you did. I liked the g.b. ani, and the r.c. sparrow is perky looking. Enjoy those birding trips!

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  18. I wish you a nice weekend...and thanks for you kind words...

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  19. Splendid trip, Chris! Indeed, good choice to visit this wonderful place. love it to a beautiful picture series but 1st one view is just amazing. Nice post.

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  20. Wonderful pictures as usual. Your dream story brought a tear to my eye.

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  21. It's wonderful that you're able to craft your life, follow your passion, living each experience to the fullest.

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  22. Beautiful writing, Chris! Yes, you ARE a dreamer! (and perhaps a poet as well!)

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Thanks for stopping by!