Cloud forest

Playing soccer with the children of Junin.

When we first set out on our journey to the cloud forest, I expected a remote area.  My perception of remote before this trip was an hour outside of the nearest city.  I was completely wrong!  We traveled deep into the forest along roads that hugged the mountain side. As we finally reached our destination, I had a real taste of remoteness.  It was intimidating being so far away from society, knowing that if something happened medical care was hours away.  Yet hours from anything, there was a village. They needed nothing to continue their way of life, and they were content.  We saw this same village on the documentary Under Rich Earth.  A copper mining company was trying to mine in the area, and this village was going to have be relocated. They wouldn’t be able to live there, because the destruction mining would cause to the environment.  They have a much more cooperative way of living with the earth than we do.  Instead of retaliating, they were calm and peaceful about the situation. They didn’t turn to violence, and it is the only reason that the mining company didn’t win.  They only want to continue their way of life, and the company was interfering with it.  It isn't only the copper companies, it is the people demanding the copper like you and me.  Copper for our cars and our electronics has to come from somewhere.  Since demand is high, the companies will go to extreme measures to profit from it. Does our desire for the newest electronics and cars come at a price? It does, the earth and villages like these pay.