Paradise

We were up at 5:00, and decided to run out of the town of Masisea a little ways and then head left away from the river bank. Soon we were jogging through dense forest, on small damp footpaths. We ran several miles down a tiny dirt trail, ducking to avoid the huge banana leaves that hung down in our path, and leaping over the patches of thick sticky mud.

We crossed four footbridges and wondered at the brilliant butterflies and birds diving around us. The jungle was dense with fog, it was like an enchanted forest. I felt so blessed to be there, filled with the joy of a new day, gasping in the deep selva air.

Finally, we came up to an opening in the forest surrounded by a fence. I was ready to turn around, but the boys were determined to keep exploring.

We were exhausted, and also afraid we'd possibly discover some cocaine fields and the neighbors would come after us with guns, so we dropped to a walk. We hacked through the bush for awhile, absolutely soaked our shoes, then squirmed under the fence and hiked across the inviting field.

In a few minutes we came upon a herd of unfriendly-looking cattle, all in a huddle. Afraid of a stampede and unsure of the outcome of 40 Peruvian horned cows vs. three eager Americans, we retreated.

We found the trail again and as Willa Cather put it, raced our shadows home.