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Piranha fishing made for a fun yet frustrating afternoon. We set out confident that we’d each catch plenty of fish, but the piranhas had other plans—stealing most of our bait or staying hidden in the river’s depths. In the end, we managed to catch only two piranhas and one boca chico (smallmouth), while a few fishing lines ended up tangled in trees. Though our haul was small, we left knowing it wasn’t for lack of effort.
One morning on our field study, we woke up at five a.m. for a peaceful birding boat ride before breakfast. Still groggy and hungry, falling asleep on the boat seemed tempting at first. However, the serenity of the jungle, combined with the melodic chirping of birds, created the perfect space for reflection. What initially felt like a burden became a lesson in living in the moment—reminding us that we are only in Peru once.
On our last day, ten of us had the serene experience of kayaking down the Amazon River, while the others enjoyed a peaceful boat ride. With just one other person in our kayak, this quiet moment allowed us to reflect on everything we had experienced while also strengthening our teamwork. It was also an opportunity to connect with our kayaking partner on a deeper level—sharing personal struggles, accomplishments, and insights about our field study and life in general.
by KATHRYN BERG
"However, the serenity of the jungle, combined with the melodic chirping of birds, created the perfect space for reflection."
FISHING, BIRDING & KAYAKING