Day 4
Sunrise (see pic)

We went frog hunting last night after dark. We caught about 20-25 frogs and this morning we are making frog, pumpkin, and bird soup for breakfast. We went looking for frogs in the rice fields and along the river. I could not help but be a little nervous about stepping on a cobra. Living in Hawaii you never have to think about snakes or any poisonous animal, insect, or reptile. It gives an extra sense of safety in the woods. You never have to think about what you are going to step on.

I do remember many close encounters with fur-de-lance (terciopelo) snakes (Central and South America’s most deadly snake). Living in the rainforest of Costa Rica it would be a rare sight if my clothing was anything more than a pair of board shorts and sunglasses. Walking barefoot in the rainforest I came within inches of stepping on the fur-de-lance while hiking along the water. This is an experience that puts your heart into your throat.

As I hunted frogs I hoped we would not come along any snakes. Snakes however love frogs as much as the Carway people. They also know where to find them.


Other than my toothpaste and brush I have not seen any other type of cleaning product. At meals they grab food with their and hands and serve it. When we are done we dump our plates on the floor (inside their home) and the dogs come to eat the scraps. Before coming on this trek I wanted to experience something as different from what I am used to as possible. Doing this gives me a better perspective on everything. I wanted to really challenge myself. Having no idea what to expect I open myself up to whatever comes. Also I have an uncanny ability to shut things out of my thoughts. It comes in handy when I find myself thinking about things I can do nothing about. When holding a bird brain in my fingers getting ready to bite I can either think about how mushy and slimy it looks or I can just shut my mind off and enjoy it. I’ve been good at the latter on this trip.

One of the guides has brought his 10 year old son along on the hike. It is nice having him along. He has a constant smile on his face and his laughter is filled with absolute joy. Even though we do not have any verbal communication we are having a lot of fun together.

I think we can learn a lot from little kids. They don’t worry about the future, they don’t have regret, they don’t have past heartache. They have not been let down so they allow themselves to soar. Everything is new to them and their brains are sponges soaking it all in. They live in the present moment and try to fit as much fun, joy and laughter in to each minute of each day. As far as I can tell there is nothing more important than that.

It’s nice being on this trek alone. I feel I can experience much more this way. If I could talk with someone, share this experience with them it would make it different; somehow less foreign. Combined my guides speak less than 50 words of English. Those fifty words they use sparingly. Having someone else there would give me an escape option and take me away from where I am.

Last night for dessert we ate BBQ’d cow skin. It was strange. No real flavor and about as tough as a thick piece of leather.

I can think much better as I walk. When I am just sitting my brain jumps around a lot. When I am hiking it is much easier for me to stay on one topic. It is the same when I go running. It gives my restless energy an outlet.

One of my favorite things to do is make plans for the future. When I am on one adventure I like to scheme about the next. All of these plans don’t need to come to fruition, in fact most do not. I just like to play with many different adventures in my head. What I’ve found happens is when the time comes for me to go on a new adventure the idea I had been playing with the most recently is the one I do.