How did we jump from Port Chester, New York to Iracambi in Minas Gerais, Brazil?
Late last year I held to my plan and notified my landlord that I would not be renewing my lease which ended in March. Ironically, Informa and I agreed to end my temporary position also on March 31. While I had a couple of tempting marketing-related options I could transition into, I held to this part of my plan, too. The next role would be majority sustainability-focused.
I had two big life transitions hitting simultaneously. This could have been an "oh shit" moment, but the universe was sending me good signals.
It's important to remember that I'm still bouncing back from a hellish couple of years. Backsliding on any part of my plan felt like I was falling short. Getting a safe job quickly, moving to another town as a temporary stop gap, would have felt like a loss. I needed more stuff in my Wins column.
That's where Iracambi, Brazil, France, Spain and the rest of this crazy trip comes in. I put my life into storage, opened a PO box in upstate NY and opted to take my goals and my personal regeneration journey on the road. Continue deepening my sustainability knowledge through hands-on experiences and on-line learning; reconnect with nature; explore new cultures; network for new opportunities; all while sticking to a fitness regimen.
Come back to the US in summer a smarter, fitter, more resilient Denise.
Thus, Iracambi.
Brazil had to be my first destination abroad. This vibrant country, young democracy, keeper of our planet's lungs, thankfully now in a post-Bolsonaro era. I'm a hopeless romantic. If I was going to do any extended, immersive volunteer work, it had to be in Brazil.
I searched for short stay volunteer programs and found the most options in Central and South America through Volunteer World. I applied for a two week volunteer stay and was genuinely giddy when I learned I was accepted. It was like a mini-college acceptance letter: they wanted me! (like I said, I needed more in the Wins column)
Iracambi is a NGO, Research Center and protected land about 15 miles outside of Rosario de Limeira, population ~4,000. The primary focus is restoring the Atlantic Forests, about 93% of which has been lost to logging and farming. In addition to forest restoration, the Center covers biodiversity, medicinal plants and hosts an Eco Leaders program for high school children. In Part 2 we'll get more into the incredibly important and impactful work the group is doing. For now, we'll keep it light.
Fun fact: I dislike camping. Hate spiders. Hate snakes even more. Very logical to assume this would be the last place you'd find me. However, I generally love the outdoors and everything happening here, so I anticipate the rewards far outweigh the risks. So far, so good!
Back to the camp, as they call it, which includes a sapling nursery, research lab, office, outdoor cafe, medicinal plant garden, the main common cabin, and five other cabins for staff and volunteers.
I arrived Sunday PM after an 8 hour journey from Rio and met Eduardo, the Volunteer Coordinator who took me through the basics. Instant shock to the system; I was a wave of emotions and clueless, but I managed to get some sleep, avoid getting bitten by anything, and join the other volunteers Monday AM ready for coffee and my first assignment. Enjoy a few pictures of the Center and surrounding property and I'll see you at the next post featuring machetes, cachoeiras, and wild cats. Boa noite.💚
Main entrance and cafe
Outdoor wood stove. Feijoada two days a week. Yum
Spectacular, is all I can say Denise. I am looking forward to following your journey, be well and stay safe. Paula November
ReplyDelete