Out and About

Hi all!
Sorry it is so long between posts. Internet access here is sparse and slow. But, we have gotten a lot accomplished since the last time I wrote you.
We have completed our workshop. The teachers seem to have taken to the concept very well. They were very enthusiastic. We are now working with the director of the teacher's college and with a woman who helps design the national curriculum about a follow-up workshop and about trying to include Investigating Environmental Issues in the school system here.
This past weekend we visited the village of Nickerie. It's in northeastern Suriname. We talked with a few classes of teachers about our workshop and about our research: how the people of Suriname use and value their local plant knowledge.
Since then, we have been in Domburg--Dirk's home village. It's very peaceful, very quiet, and right on the edge of the bush. So, we have been able to talk with many people, including the local medicine man. We have been travelling to nearby markets and villages to conduct interviews, and we have been hiking and looking for wildlife. Yesterday, we biked to Jakin, about 10 kilometers away, and spoke with several people. In the evening we biked back to the bush and saw a whole troop of monkeys! Very cool.
I'm sorry I cannot really condense 2 weeks into a few paragraphs - but this is at least a summary and some highlights. This weekend, we will be back in the jungle with Frits van Troon, a very well-known botanist and shaman. I am very excited about it; he is very wise and very kind.
I hope everything is going well for all of you. Hope to talk with you soon. Peace,
Kelly