Manaus Day 6: Workshop, Day 2

Not only was today the last day of my trip, it was also the official reason why I came, as I presented my initial results for their feedback. Our project was to use existing datasets to identify areas important for food security, including non-timber forest products, across the Amazon basin. It was great to have engaged participants who gave a lot of knowledgeable feedback, including proposing a different methodology. Combined with a great facilitator, the day flew by. Unfortunately my post-workshop celebrations were cut short, though, as a map request from our division head before his next trip meant I worked right up to our leaving for the airport.

All our handicraft shopping brought an interesting challenge as we checked in: what to do with my colleague’s bow and arrows. Not surprisingly, they weren’t keen to let him take traditional weapons on the plane as carry-ons, and they seemed too fragile to stick in our checked bags. Thanks to some socks for padding and a lot of plastic wrap, I’m pleased (and surprised) to report that it returned to the US intact and we made it through customs. Our pre-workshop trips helped me appreciate where we were, but our nighttime return flight means while I appreciate it, I still can’t wrap my head around the sheer vastness of the Amazon.


Update: you can read about the analysis and see my maps of this project at http://bit.ly/2kKgj6Y and http://arcg.is/2ceXN3t