As we sail out of the Atlantic Ocean and up the Macapa entrance of the Amazon River, it is starting to dawn on me that this trip is more than just a trip of leisure and fun. I am beginning to brace myself for not just the rocky sea ahead of me, but for a glimpse of a world that continues to suffer from disease, poverty, and inequality.
It really hit me today when I took my first dose of malaria medication, a medication used to prevent an infectious mosquito borne disease that kills between one and three million people a year in these underdeveloped countries that I will be visiting. It made me realize how lucky I am to have these types of resources at my fingertips.
All in a matter of weeks before I arrive in Hilo, I will be visiting countries that don’t have access to resources like my malaria medication, things like this that I have often taken for granted.
Although I am ecstatic to visit these countries, I am a little bit apprehensive to see firsthand the role that globalization is playing in shaping these underdeveloped countries. In my lifetime, I have never witnessed these types of global issues firsthand, so I am really curious to see how I will feel when they are suddenly all around me.
I arrive in Manaus, Brazil, centered in the Amazon rain forest, the “lungs of the world,” on Sunday. I hope that going there will give me a better understanding of if and how rural and city life are able to coexist in our modern world. I think it will be really interesting to see this unique fusion of eco and urban all in one setting.
I just looked outside and all I can see around us is the brown waters of the Amazon! It is really happening! I am almost there.
It really hit me today when I took my first dose of malaria medication, a medication used to prevent an infectious mosquito borne disease that kills between one and three million people a year in these underdeveloped countries that I will be visiting. It made me realize how lucky I am to have these types of resources at my fingertips.
All in a matter of weeks before I arrive in Hilo, I will be visiting countries that don’t have access to resources like my malaria medication, things like this that I have often taken for granted.
Although I am ecstatic to visit these countries, I am a little bit apprehensive to see firsthand the role that globalization is playing in shaping these underdeveloped countries. In my lifetime, I have never witnessed these types of global issues firsthand, so I am really curious to see how I will feel when they are suddenly all around me.
I arrive in Manaus, Brazil, centered in the Amazon rain forest, the “lungs of the world,” on Sunday. I hope that going there will give me a better understanding of if and how rural and city life are able to coexist in our modern world. I think it will be really interesting to see this unique fusion of eco and urban all in one setting.
I just looked outside and all I can see around us is the brown waters of the Amazon! It is really happening! I am almost there.
Sydney, I'm amazed at your writing. It captivates me, and I now find myself waiting to read your next post. It's too bad most of our nation cannot see the world the way you do. All it takes is one person to make a difference. Perhaps there is still hope with your generation.
ReplyDeleteAloha,
U Steve
Sydney,
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble opening up the videos.
Steven
i really like this post, bu. miss you.
ReplyDelete