Demarcation Diaries
18 September 2001
 The scene of collective siesta reappeared in Comte Savio again.
Everyone took advantage of their last chance for good rest before we begin camping out
in the forest. For those who are not used to taking a siesta, like me, this was our
last chance to read peacefully on the deck, or talk to friends
who would soon depart with their separate team. All in
all, the atmosphere was filled with subtle sentiments particular to
the moments of leaving. But the excitement of moving to another stage was
also felt by everyone, for finally we would set up our working
base camp in the forest. This would have happened days earlier, if not for
the Brazilian bureaucracy and the terroist attack in the United States.
The Brazilian military claimed that they were fully occupied
with preparing for any similar terroist attack in their air, so they did
not have time to review the document presented by Greenpeace. As a result,
the work of Team C had to stop for the moment because they were running
out of supplies, while our team, Team A, would have to wait for further
plans because our next point of demarcation was too far away and thus
unsafe for us to camp out without a helicopter on stand by to evacuate people
if an emergency arises. It is amazing to see how
the chain reactions of the attack is affecting our work even in the most
remotest region of the world.
For the rest of the
day, most of us were occupied with preparation and packing things for
living in the forest. Although we are all looking forward to camping out
in the forest, we also feel certain anxiety about how we will adapt to
the life of the forest. The Amazon is unlike any camp sites we have been
to. Besides, having worked in the field for days, we all know that
conditions in the forest are harsh.
We have a mission
to accomplish, to make sure that the Deni will have enough food and water,
that they will have good sleep at night, and the demarcation will progress
smoothly and safely.
When night fell, the Amazon sky was
decorated with million stars. I sat on the top deck, looked at the
constellation of Scorpio which was just above me, and slowly a tranquil
feeling took over my anxieity. I am sure everything will work out at last,
under such beautiful sky, with the beautiful thing we are doing.
Kontau
Find out about the different
volunteers on the demarcation project.
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