Her 'Fitbit' didn't survive! ( I admit to having to google that). This reporter will need grief counseling, medication and a support group. I also recommend she watch the 'South Park' episode about the joys of a rain forest jungle.
dunno. lived in Puerto Maldonado for a few months in 1971. drank water from the madre de dios & tambopata rivers & worked for public works. wonderful place then, but not much going on. gold miners sold to Peruvian government at discount rate. they came to town sometimes. never saw anyone rich, lots of gold teeth and ragged clothes. people have to make a living. the selva is not so rich, all people really get out of it is children. wish I could return, I owe some apologies there.
1
What an odd comment from the author, "Most spoke not a word of English." Just downright odd. In my childhood, I lived and was educated in, foreign countries. One was a teensy mining town near Nasca. All I can say is, why the expectation that people who have no use for English in their lives should know any words of the language? Would you expect a reporter on assignment in the US from Burundi to add the comment, in their story, that you could not speak a word of Swahili? Your next story: Typical School Day of the Poor in the Peruvian Amazon: A Comprehensive Education with Four Core Subjects, Sports, and a Foreign Language.
4
When trekking in the jungle, bring 100% deet. Don't bring some goofy diluted mix with lotion and what not. Don't wear waterproof boots, get vented jungle boots with drain holes. Altama brand boots are the best. Wear 100% wool socks, no blends. Bring fresh socks in zip-lock. Bring motrin to bring down foot swelling while sleeping. Lots and lots of fresh water, more than you think you'll need. If there is a chance of having to stay overnight, nothing wrong with bringing at least a mosquito net but an Army Gore-tex bivy sack bought off ebay will help keep the bugs off and dry your skin while sleeping. Bring moleskin adhesive backing to wrap blisters. I always just popped and drained blisters than slapped mole-skin directly on top of the raw skin, then took it off after letting my feet soak when back at home. Doing this wasn't "advised" because it *can* cause infection, but it always worked for me and I never got an infection ... so ymmv, just keep an eye on your body and know your limits. Bring wet naps for deucing and keeping your hands clean. Wear loose clothes that dry very quickly; sweat soaked clothing will bring your temperature down at night, will make life miserable, and can be dangerous if the night is cool after a hot day. Bring a flashlight because being under a jungle canopy means losing light quicker, and you need to see what you're about to sit/lay on when it gets dark. Tie or blouse your pants in your boots to help keep things from crawling in.
6
I think the international mining corporations so frequently decried by Peruvian nationalists and their unwitting fellow travelers in the West actually do less damage to the environment--they are more likely to operate within the law--than do the legions of unregulated prospectors who descend on these wilderness areas where gold is found.
4
What happened after sighting the jaguar? Were the illegal gold miners found and raided? Was any of their gold seized? How did the would-be raiders make it back out?
6
That is exactly what I was thinking. What actually happened?
1
You have to read the actual article, this is the "Times Insider" piece about the experience of the journalist.
This article describing the difficulties of slogging through the jungle to find and neutralize illegal mines raises the question: “Why are soldiers walking in rather than simply destroying the mines and mine equipment by flying in attack helicopters such as the AH-1Z Viper?” This weapon system carries Sidewinder missiles, Hydra rocket pods, and Gatling guns...more than sufficient to knock out illegal equipment and infrastructure. To avoid killing the miners and their families the attack could be preceded by a warning broadcast (in all local languages) from PA systems mounted on regular helicopters.
The cost of such a program would be significantly less than trying to clean up the ongoing environmental disaster. Unless the mining and other illegal exploitation of the region is stopped there will shortly be no viable ecosystem left to save or clean up.
The question is also raised as to why the miners have no other means of support other than illegal mining. The answer to that question may be that any government that ineffectively sends ground troops through a swamp may be simply too corrupt and inefficient to provide legal employment opportunities. Maybe the Vipers should first be directed at the politicians?
The cost of such a program would be significantly less than trying to clean up the ongoing environmental disaster. Unless the mining and other illegal exploitation of the region is stopped there will shortly be no viable ecosystem left to save or clean up.
The question is also raised as to why the miners have no other means of support other than illegal mining. The answer to that question may be that any government that ineffectively sends ground troops through a swamp may be simply too corrupt and inefficient to provide legal employment opportunities. Maybe the Vipers should first be directed at the politicians?
1
I'm not sure why you even pose this question. I work on gold mining issues in Madre de Dios and the suggestion is basically laughable. The government clearly doesn't have the money to do this. A helicopter like that costs over $30 million and then costs thousands of dollars an hour to operate, not to mention the cost of ordinance. And sure, that would be less expensive than cleaning up the environment after, but that doesn't mean the money is there to do either.
If you don't have money you don't have money, it doesn't matter what your needs are.
And turning to illegal means happens everywhere. There are some corrupt politicians, like anywhere, but Peru's economy is developing and has a great record of growth. The key is to try to make sure that development happens somewhat sustainably using lessons learned elsewhere.
If you don't have money you don't have money, it doesn't matter what your needs are.
And turning to illegal means happens everywhere. There are some corrupt politicians, like anywhere, but Peru's economy is developing and has a great record of growth. The key is to try to make sure that development happens somewhat sustainably using lessons learned elsewhere.
4
Hello Max M. The cost effectiveness of my approach is substantially better than the current one. Because the rape of the Amazon Basin is a global issue certainly the governments of the world should supply the means to prevent it. How about asking the US for starters. Washington seems ready to send attack helicopters almost anywhere and for far less justifiable reasons.
3
Obviously you have no understanding of the economics of a country like Peru, that's first. Second, they don't want to kill the miners for simply wanting to make a living. Third, you last sentence shows that you aren't a serious person.
1
The gold rush spreads throughout the Amazon region: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. What the article describes could have been read throughout the 80's. That time, the gold rush was entered in the Brazilian Amazonia. There is a "army" of miners that circulate around the Amazon countries. If your reporter could speak other languages, I am sure she would detect nationals of neighbouring countries. What moves this army of diggers is poverty, lack of proper development in their countries, no protection of the environment and lots and lots of corruption. Oh we should also mention the "dream" that each person has that their lottery ticket will be a gold nugget that never materialises. Most of them surely end up getting malaria. The environment is destroyed for the centuries to come. The uncontrolled use of mercury by miners has been compromising the waters of the rivers in the Amazon and causing serious health issues (mercury poisoning) to Indigenous and river side populations.
6
Typical Gringo arrogance " Most spoke not a word of English " Expecting young conscripts,or volunteers, to speak a foreign language.Some do speak another language Quechua. And how about a cosmopolitan , highly educated journalist learning the language of the country to which she is traveling ?
15
Personally I don't consider expectations of English speaking arrogance. When one considers the worldwide acceptance of US films it should be expected for the most part.
As for your comments about "learning the language of the country" her description of the lack of knowledge of English clearly defines the area of the illegal gold mining as decidedly backwaters barely untouched by civilization.
Your comments in English pretty much make that point.
As for your comments about "learning the language of the country" her description of the lack of knowledge of English clearly defines the area of the illegal gold mining as decidedly backwaters barely untouched by civilization.
Your comments in English pretty much make that point.
1
I don't think her point, in context, was that they should have been able to speak English, or that she expected them to. She was describing, in a very non-arrogant way, how kind and accommodating the soldiers were to a journalist who did not speak their language and who had been separated from her translator.
3
The author is recounting her experience reporting the article (not this column). For her, since she doesn't speak Portuguese, noting that none of her companions spoke English is a relevant detail about her experience.
Hurray. Wonderful reporting. The sort of thing that makes NYT the great paper that it is: nonetheless, and this is said to be encouraging, I would love to hear more about what is happening with illegal gold miners. Is there much gold in that eastern Andean mountainous terrain leading to Madre de Dios and Amazonas? Are there fortunes being made? Is it generally penniless? Are their gold mining towns like our long ago Klondike? Do the gold miners overlap with coca growers? With drugs? Que pasa? You have whet our appetites with your brave and exciting and unparalleled reporting adventure, and now we want more info!!!
1
Interesting. I have been here several times, visited several gold mining communities and have taken dozens of photographs. I have always been treated well by the miners and locals. If I smile and wave, they smile and wave back. The only time I though I was in trouble was after I took a photograph of a man and I was walking away. All of a sudden, he yelled:"Gringo." Of crap, I thought, now I am in trouble. But not so. He pointed to the man next to him. He wanted his picture taken, too.
1
The rainforest eats everything, including clothes.
Hopefully Manu, just north of where you were, will survive the attention of the gold miners. But I am not optimistic.
Hopefully Manu, just north of where you were, will survive the attention of the gold miners. But I am not optimistic.
1
I think a mark of a great piece of journalism is if at the end of the article I say; better you than me. Better you than me.
4
Great story about getting the story!
6
....once you leave, the mining begins all over again..
Peru is, in many ways, a third world developing country - it has a very high rate of poverty with a per capita income of $4,700. I wouldn't have great expectations for it's efforts to prevent deforestation in the Amazon.
Peru is, in many ways, a third world developing country - it has a very high rate of poverty with a per capita income of $4,700. I wouldn't have great expectations for it's efforts to prevent deforestation in the Amazon.
2
Well I absolutely appreciate the work that went into your getting onto location to witness the raid, it would indeed have made for some great context as you described the drama and excitement of the raid itself.
Any plans to tell that seemingly significant part of the story?
Any plans to tell that seemingly significant part of the story?
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hi Peter,
Maybe I don't understand your comment. But here is the original story which ran last week. Best, Suzanne Daley http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/world/americas/peru-illegal-gold-minin...
Maybe I don't understand your comment. But here is the original story which ran last week. Best, Suzanne Daley http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/world/americas/peru-illegal-gold-minin...
Gold mining is absolutely devastating to the rainforest. Just look at this time-lapse video of the Madre de Dios River in Brazil: https://earthengine.google.com/timelapse/#v=-12.86,-70.33,9.148,latLng&a...
The spreading brightness is sediment exposed by miners water-cannon-blasting the forest. Consider the scale. Zoom out if you need to. I understand people are doing what they need to in order to survive, but this practice is growing at alarming rates.
The spreading brightness is sediment exposed by miners water-cannon-blasting the forest. Consider the scale. Zoom out if you need to. I understand people are doing what they need to in order to survive, but this practice is growing at alarming rates.
8
Amazing video. I had never seen it before. Best, Suzanne
I don't understand why you would show up in the area without waterproof boots and a waterproof bag. Even as a tourist to that same area, I knew to bring those things. I would think a journalist would put more research and preparation into such a trip.
7
Not only that, but I failed to check the weather forecast before heading out that morning! But seriously, I always planned to buy the boots and poncho on the ground rather than lug that stuff from New York City, which is where I live. On the plus side, I had brought enough bug spray to keep an army bite free and I was wearing quick drying camping gear, though it just doesn't dry when you are standing in the rain.
1
Waterproof boots are terrible idea, you want jungle boots: ankle support and drains so water can get out, vented so air can circulate. Waterproof boots keep water in as much as it keeps it out, are heavier, and will hold water causing more energy exertion and fatigue.
Impossible to beat the quality and price of a pair of U.S. Army jungle boots. I'm a former infantry grunt and I've slogged through swamps, deserts, mountains, forests and all manner of awful terrain normal people wouldn't go, and I've been in some remote areas of Peru.
Best advice, get a new pair of Altama brand jungle boots (too many cheap knock-offs, so avoid other brands). Have the steel straps removed from the soles, which are used protect the feet from punji stick traps. Break in your boots at home by wearing them into the shower, soaking them, and wearing them for as long as you can stand it. Dry them out, then wear them on a few hikes. They'll fit like a glove.
Wear standard issue Army pure wool socks, stay away from cotton blends or you'll get blisters and there is zero advantage to dropping $40 on pricier socks. You need your feet close to the boot material to avoid having it slip around inside and getting hot spots. Bring extra socks in a zip lock bag, foot powder, and Motrin to help with swelling at the end of the day. Every hour or so, rest with your legs up for about 10 minutes to bring foot swelling down. While sleeping, pop motrin, hang wet socks to dry, and wear fresh pair in the morning.
Impossible to beat the quality and price of a pair of U.S. Army jungle boots. I'm a former infantry grunt and I've slogged through swamps, deserts, mountains, forests and all manner of awful terrain normal people wouldn't go, and I've been in some remote areas of Peru.
Best advice, get a new pair of Altama brand jungle boots (too many cheap knock-offs, so avoid other brands). Have the steel straps removed from the soles, which are used protect the feet from punji stick traps. Break in your boots at home by wearing them into the shower, soaking them, and wearing them for as long as you can stand it. Dry them out, then wear them on a few hikes. They'll fit like a glove.
Wear standard issue Army pure wool socks, stay away from cotton blends or you'll get blisters and there is zero advantage to dropping $40 on pricier socks. You need your feet close to the boot material to avoid having it slip around inside and getting hot spots. Bring extra socks in a zip lock bag, foot powder, and Motrin to help with swelling at the end of the day. Every hour or so, rest with your legs up for about 10 minutes to bring foot swelling down. While sleeping, pop motrin, hang wet socks to dry, and wear fresh pair in the morning.
true grit I hope all her shots were up to date.
3
Good on shots. At least that. Best, Suzanne
My congratulations to you on surviving what sounds like a totally mismanaged government operation. Are they serious about stopping illegal mining? Doesn't sound like it.
3
Careful with that old jungle rot.
Amazing adventure Suzanne. And great reporting. I read your article on Peru's efforts to curb illegal mining.
2
I love your writing Suzanne! Your writing took me to the rain forests of Peru. You made me feel like I was trudging through the muddy water! Great Job. I wish there were pictures of the fat Jaguar lol.
1
I guess your team's shortcut wasn't all that good. You should have followed the path that the motorbikes took.
In any case, you survived and got to see what few do. The adventure will ripen over time, and you'll impress all with your fat jaguar story.
In any case, you survived and got to see what few do. The adventure will ripen over time, and you'll impress all with your fat jaguar story.
2