When I was a boy I had a dream that stuck with me for almost 10 years. It was to save the Amazon.
My friends had different dreams. More "childish", more "boyish". But then, I was always different, since kindergarten, I never really fit in, although everyone respected me for some reason. I spent the whole days alone (or with my dog) in the flood forests around the river at the outskirts of our town. I never felt alone though. I always felt in great company. I could feel the trees and plants and animals, and it seemed normal to me. I felt nurtured and being taken care of. And most of all, I felt excited. Every twist and turn of the curvy narrow path was hiding surprises and adventures. I loved finding rare birds or plants, climbing the trees and getting my shoes in the mud. I had many hiding places, some of them "fortified", some of them on the trees, some of them underground, and all of them well hidden.
When I learned about the Amazon I wished nothing more than going there. "The lungs of the planet" some adults called it. It sounded absolutely magical. Then I learned about Amazon's sad fate in the face of merciless deforestation and since then I had just one thing in my mind: to save it.
Dead tired after days of walking in the untouched jungle...finally back to shelter
I know it sounds crazy, but I actually spent solid amount of time conceiving the plan, and in my world it was a feasible plan. I totally believed in it. Not just a week or few months. For long years. That much I loved my vision of beautiful Amazon and I wanted to dedicate my life for saving it.
But then the reality of high school troubles kicked in and I found myself in the midst of turbulence that ended up by an epic run from my home country and long years of exile. I did eventually go to Amazon, of course. I am one of the lucky lads (although I do not believe in luck but in appropriate action and faith) who fulfilled all his dreams in this life (or at least vast majority of them...). I went to Amazonian forest in quite a few different areas in different countries of South America...probably all of them actually.
This was 1 step away from a very painful death in agony. It wasn't my time to go yet!
And my heart cried with both joy and sorrow. With joy at the sight of the indescribable beauty of it. Majestic old beautiful all embracing merciless and welcoming mother Jungle, mama Selva. And at the sorrow of seeing the destruction of it by human greed. By human indifference.
In 2008 I lived a true adventure in the heart of Brazilian jungle, some 100km from Manaus. It was a dream coming true. And again, it was joyful and sad at the same time.
I will tell you about that adventure some other day. For now, enjoy the pictures. I can't believe that 10 years passed already from that moment.
And what was your dream as a kid?
Blessings to all of you, thank you for reading,
