Vacation?

I have left New York City many times before to visit new paleontology expeditions and to participate in meetings all over the world concerning new species, but for the first time in 9 years I am leaving my home and work for a vacation. My company is paying for my plane expenses because I won an award of "most devoted". When I was leaving the office, all of my coworkers were so happy for me to finally come to my senses and go on vacation that they gave me "going away cards". Yesterday I was on the plane with all of my labeled suitcases and with my secretly packed paleontologist tools; I never travel without them. Even though this trip is supposed to be work free, I just did not feel right traveling without them. I felt if I did not bring them I would loose a part of myself. For my first vacation in 9 years I am heading to Columbia. I was there once about five years ago for seminar that lectured the famous discoveries found by people of my profession. I chose Columbia to travel because when I went there for the seminar I couldn’t help but notice its outdoor beauty. I love the outdoors, partly because my work is outside, but also because I always appreciate nature’s beauty. So I guess you could say I was excited to soon be in Columbia.

For the majority of the trip I turned on the mini TV in front of me connected to the headrest and watched the science channel. I asked the passing stewardess for some green tea, which she brought shortly. After a few shows about reptiles and fungus growth had ended, a man wearing a safari hat came on the TV. He started examining a fossil that was over 70 years old, I watched in fascination as I sipped my Arizona green tea intensively. As they zoomed in on the fossil, I could easily recognized the markings: a salmon, located from the Salmon River in Idaho. My eyes began to get a little fuzzy, and I realized I will miss my work on this trip: I was stupid to leave my home and what I do best, just to go to Columbia.

A couple hours later after my cup of tea was empty, the loud speaker started to crackle  just about to declare something I was not ready to hear. The pilot then informed everyone on his speaker that due to the plane’s disfunction we have taken a different path: we have past Columbia and we are heading to Argentina. At this moment the passengers were groaning and complaining to the stewardesses, who were trying to calm everyone down. A slight pain began to rumble in my stomach as I tried to think of what would happen to me next. I clutched the suitcase my work tools we located in and thought “was I really not meant to go on vacation? What will my trip turn into next?” After my puzzling questions I asked the stewardess when we would be landing she replied answering “in about twenty to forty minutes we will land at the nearest airport in Argentina, where you will be able to take the next flight to Columbia.” 

As the plane was getting lower I was able to see a view I would never forget. This was the type of outdoor beauty I love. After we landed, I got lost in the big crowd all the passengers, who were running off the plane to catch the next flight to Columbia. After I found my way to the line for the next flight, I reached to a nearby table and looked at some brochures. I flipped one over and saw a picture of an Eodromaeus dinosaur. I glanced at a little blurb that read “Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks”. These names sounded familiar. I thought for a minute and then remembered these mountains were known for their dinosaur fossils. In the middle of my thought I was interrupted by the man wearing a uniform behind the desk. I had already reached the front of the line so he asked “mam, are you ready to purchase your ticket to Columbia?” I glanced at the brochure another time and gripped my suitcase with my tools inside. Then I replied “not today” with a smile that broadened my face. 

I left the airport with a brisk walk that gave me confidence that read “I know where I am going: The Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks." I know I was supposed to be in Columbia by now having the time of my life, but for me having the time of my life includes doing what I love. I couldn’t help it, I love my work and I can never live without it. I had already thought of all I could do in the parks. With all of my tools I would be able to take samples to bring back to my lab in New York City. I was also hoping to hike throughout the parks experiencing the beauty of this nature. In all of the places I have been to around the world for work, Argentina differed from any other location I had been to. I could sense there was something special about this place and I knew this was going to be the best vacation yet!

"Ischigualasto." Wikipedia. N.p., 13 Aug. 2011. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.      <http://en.wikipedia.org>.

"Southern South America." Map. DK Publishing. 2008. Concise Atlas of the World       Digital Mapping for the 21st century. Ed. Debra Wolter. 4th ed. Singapore:      DK Publishing, n.d. 62-63. Print. Concise Atlas of the World Four.

Lost...

Staying in Argentina had seemed like the smartest decision I have made yet! Though this decision took a turn towards something I did not expect. The first thing I did was go strait to the Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks. One of the brochures I picked up at the Argentina airport included a map. I used this to locate the parks, which I soon found out was giving a special tour. They usually only allowed people to tour with their own transportation, but this was an exception. Immediately I jumped at the chance to experience these parks I have never been to before because there was a possibility I could find fossils there. The first tour group meeting was at six forty five in the morning. It was not much different from an average work day. My job requires every minute of my time, so I have adapted to being an early bird. 

I was so excited for the tour, that I brought my paleontology tools with me. We left the station and on the bus’s speaker a woman began to dictate “The site contains a complete sequence of fossiliferous continental sediments representing the entire Triassic Period, which was 45 million years ago of geological history.” I could tell the other passengers were drowning out her voice and admiring the vast view outside their windows. I was was listening intently, but I couldn’t help but catch a glance out my window too.

            Soon we made a stop deeper in the parks. The woman with the speaker stopped dictating and the bus’s doors opened with a swoosh sound. People filed out onto the dry, lightly sandy surface. The other passengers started to spread out a little farther from the bus, until the tour guide huddled them together and dictated some more facts about the parks. Slowly creeping back towards some bushes, I made my way around a corner. I laid my tools case down and hunched over on the ground. My pants started to get a little dusty as I removed a small shovel from my suitcase and began digging into the ground. About five inches deep and all I found was sand. I checked my cell phone for the time and realized it was dead when the screen savor of a fossil I found in 2004 did not show up. Soon I came across a small rock, so small it could fit in a newborn’s hand. I put on my gloves and gently picked it up. Now the sound of the woman dictating began to disappear, but I did not pay attention to that at the moment. Squinting with the sun just beginning to rise, I scrutinized it. Through my magnifier I noticed soft scratch and marks on one of the sides. A slightly excited feeling began to make my stomach rumble. I smiled as I put the rock into a portable, clear bag that I would keep it in until further testing. I packed up my gear, refilled the hole I dug and thought about if this rock could possibly be a fossil. This thought absolutely delighted me, so I strolled slowly back to where the bus stopped. 

When I returned the bus was gone. In the distance I saw a small green square speeding off away from me. My heart began to jump and I started running towards the bus that kept getting smaller and smaller. I was running so fast that I was out of breath. I shouted “Wait! Wait for me!” Then I stopped running when the bus had disappeared into the horizon. I was left alone with only my paleontology tools and a dead cell phone; I was stranded.

            I had calmed down now and pulled out the map. The sun had fully risen and beamed. I started looking for certain landmarks that were on marked with arrows on this map. I turned around 360 degrees and tried to find any of the landscape formations. After a couple spins around, I didn’t find any resemblance. I sat down on the dessert floor and put my head in my hands. Light tears greased my face as I tried to think of what I could possibly do. 

1 hour later, I looked at the map again. I noticed San Juan was the capital, so there must be signs somewhere. I got up and began walking. The sun now poured its’ light heavily onto me. Along my search for civilization, I passed a couple cardoon cacti and an algarroba plant. I had read about these species last year for a separate project, but of course I did not spend that much time studying the geography of this place. As I continued to walk, feeling a slight pain in my right ankle, the millions of dinosaurs that possibly once lived here tempted me. I was fascinated that there could be fossils under the very ground I was walking on. An urge in side of we wanted to stop and look for fossils, but then I remember my problem; I was lost and needed to get help.

I heard a noise that I was regretting; the sound of my stomach grumbling. I felt so stupid, I had passed an edible plant and thought nothing of it. I went back, trying to retrace my steps to find the algarroba I passed. Finally when I relocated it, I kneeled on the ground and carefully removed the plant from the surface. I held it up to the light as if the most valuable possession in the world. “Algarroba is carob!” I thought proudly as I indulged in my delicious chocolate substitute. I held the stem of the algarroba pod and gnawed at the other end. The bitter taste ran down my throat, I held my slightly held my breath so I wouldn’t inhale the bitterness. I was never a big fan of carob, but right now it was heavenly. After my feast, I wiped my mouth on my sleeve and headed off once again to find civilization. The sun wasn’t as bright now, which made me slightly relieved, but also worried that it would be getting dark soon. 

I kept on walking as time went by. Then I made an abrupt stop at a scuffle noise up ahead. It was a serpent. It moved too quickly for me to in defy what type it was. I gulped hard as it approached me. As it wriggled in a “s” shape, its’ skin rubbed against the dessert floor enhancing its’ “hiss”. I started biting my lower lip, not remembering wether to run or hold still. I was not used to snakes, I had no idea how their species reacted to humans. I held still at stone, but the serpent knew I was there, it increased its’ pace towards me and I screamed. I began to run as it was less than a foot away from me. Its’ jaws opened wide and snatched the air as my foot jumped out of its’ frozen position. I ran as fast as I could not looking back, until the hiss stopped. The snake was no where in sight, but I still continued to run. It was getting dark out and more scuffling noises began. 

http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/mar/stories/desertsur.html

http://www.lastalive.com/survival_guide/wilderness/desert_survival.htm

Returning home

Three long, tiring days have gone by and I have remarkably been able to survive. Instead of getting off the subway at 5 am to go to work, I now start my day off waking up  then in search for more carob plants. So far that’s been the only food that has appealed to me. There aren’t many choices in these parks so I only eat the algarroba. Since this biome does not receive much rain I have slept on the dessert floor, clutching my paleontology tools. I have not located any water that I can drink so I try to reserve my energy when searching for food. I have checked my tool kit various times trying to find something in there that I could use, but I have found no use for them. After eating my carob I stare into the sample bag containing the small rock I found. I say to the rock “because of you I am stuck in the middle of no where”.

I haven’t came across any more serpents lately, but I have had to defend my carob from a grey fox. It didn’t scare me as much as the snake but when I first saw it come towards me I jumped a little. The fox backed up a few steps then pounced on me. In shock I grabbed my bag and tried to get up. It got half of my algarroba and nibbled on it fiercely as I left the scene. 

Life has been hard and I often get depressed until I find my catch of the day; the algarroba plant. Now I have fully adapted to its bitter taste. It is my essential life source. One day when I was eating my carob plant I opened my tool kit and took out my mini shovel. I used its’ side as a knife to cut up my meal into smaller pieces. I put it back into the compartment made for its’ size when another compartment was revealed. After I opened this pocket, a circular disk slipped out and hit the dessert floor with a light sound. I turned it over and a grin wiped my face clean of its’ sorrow. It was a compass! I had a compass all three days and had not even known it! I laid it on the ground with the impatience of a six year old at christmas. But the arrow didn’t move, I tried to level it, tilt it, and shake it until I gave up. I didn’t work the arrow must have been stuck or unbalanced. 

Angry, I thought of tossing it, but instead I clutched it and studied it. “Maybe I could fix it” I thought hopefully. Looking at the “N” standing for North gave me an idea. Then I looked at the horizon and got up slowly. I packed up my remaining algarroba and headed off. I couldn’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner; I guess I have been too overwhelmed to do so. All explorers fallow the rule: “the sun sets in West and rises in the East”. Bingo! I was on a role now, all I had to do was fallow the sun. 

Before dark I had reached, San Juan, the capital! I looked up at the sky. There were little clouds and the sky was crystal clear. Even as out of breath as I was, I gained all of my remaining energy to yell out my shout of pride. My dry voice echoed. I raised my arms as if I had just preformed an amazing stunt in a gymnastics competition. I ran up towards the town to the bus station I first left at. I asked for a taxi and the money I paid for the tour back. They didn’t understand my American speech but got me the taxi ride. I went straight to the airport and took the earliest flight home. On the plane ride some people gave me dirty looks when they smelled the odor I carried from my journey through the parks. I saw the stewardess walking through the isle and demanded water, hot coffee, chips, pretzels, and nuts, including the salted and non salted. She gave me a strange look but returned with everything I asked for.

Getting off the plane felt victorious. I had finally made it home! I was so excited to finally be back in New York and soon return to my work and regular life. I couldn’t wait to find out if the rock I had found was in fact a fossil. I couldn’t believe my coworkers had persuaded me to go on vacation! Why ruin a perfect record on 9 years just to get lost in the wilderness? 

I went to the luggage claim where my other belonging were forwarded from Argentina. As I got my large brown suitcase off the conveyer belt, I heard someone call my name. It was my coworkers welcoming me back home. Before they could ask how my vacation was, one blurted out “What happened to you?”

I slightly chuckled as I picked out a leaf from my hair and brushed dirt off my face. I replied “It’s a long story. Let’s just say ‘the more things change, the more they remain... insane'”.