Memories of a Carnivore: A Vegetarian in Korea

Memories of a Carnivore: Adventures in Eating Ethically, by Julie Dupuis.

While I was in Korea, I wrote most of a book. I had to sit on it, go back to it, let it go through its process (which took a lot longer than most of the writing did). At the time, I didn’t know it was a book. I suspected it might be, but I never dreamed that […]

March for Merazonia: The La Cloche Silhouette Trek

Scenic landscape view of the tree-dotted white quartzite cliffs of the La Cloche Silhouette Trail during the March for Merazonia.

I was out on a day hike in Killarney Provincial Park, located on the shores of Georgian Bay between Parry Sound and Sudbury, Ontario, when the idea struck for the March for Merazonia. It was early May, the weather was beautiful, the northern verdure was blooming and blossoming in every direction, and I was inspired. I thought to […]

Building a Future for Ecuador’s Fauna at Merazonia

I took this photo of the Rio Pastaza just outside of Mera on our way back from Merazonia one day after working hard building a future for Ecuador's fauna.

Imagine zooming along winding mountain roads in a rickety old bus, feasting your eyes on the changing scenery heading south from Quito, insatiable. Imagine chatting away with an amicable Ecuadorian who points out various sights: a famous waterfall, a deep ravine, a bridge off which to bungee jump, a good discoteca, his own restaurant. Imagine being dropped off […]

Last Work Days at Merazonia and a Zoo in Shell

The kitchen building at Merazonia, with a wooden picnic table outside.

Work’s been pretty relaxed this week during my last work days at Merazonia, so I really can’t understand why I’ve got this blasted cold. Well, in any case, I now know that I’d rather paint three coats in a whole room with drywall than paint one coat on a small cement holding tank. For toilets, no less! I […]

More Merazonia Projects and A Bit of Village Life in Shell

One of the views from the volunteer house at Merazonia shows a forested mountain rising behind the jungle.

This week, we continued with some more Merazonia projects. Jen and I built some drawers to put beneath the future volunteers’ beds. I measured, sawed, planed, and sanded the wood, nailed it all together to make a box, screwed some wheels into the bottom, and voilà! Drawers! I also hauled rocks in a neat contraption we put on […]

“Camping” and Hiking at Merazonia

Hiking at Merazonia and admiring the beautiful scenery.

Thursday evening, David and I decided to stay at the refuge overnight instead of returning to Mera. We had discussed it with Jen and Frank ahead of time, and together we planned some “camping” and jungle hiking at Merazonia (smiley face). We hiked out to the road with Frank, Jen, and Guido because to the right of the […]

Volunteering at Merazonia Animal Reserve

Hacienda-style volunteer house at Merazonia Animal Reserve, Ecuador.

After only a few days here, volunteering at Merazonia Animal Reserve, I now have grease monkey fingernails! Wednesday, which was Day Two for me volunteering at Merazonia, was spent building scaffolding for the construction of the aviary. More sawing, searching for wood, planting poles into the mud to brace our scaffold, climbing the scaffolding to secure the braces, […]

Arriving in Mera and My First Day at Merazonia

This house in Mera is where you spend your first day at Merazonia.

Imagine zooming along winding mountain roads in a rickety old bus, listening to Bedouin Soundclash, chilling, feasting your eyes, insatiable. Imagine chatting away with an amicable Ecuadorian who points out sights: a famous waterfall, a deep ravine, a bridge off which to bungee jump, a good discoteca, his own restaurant… Imagine being dropped off the bus in an […]