– Son, for many years, the Oaxacan ravine has been home of the green macaw, and its future and ours, is in our hands. Just a small fragment of the cartoon painted on one of the little stores’ wall in Santa María Tecomavaca. None of them sold ice, but at least we got some hats and cold beers, which quenched our thirst after going down to the river. But what a heat! we just had arrived to the place of the macaws.
Don Antonio and the commissar had kindly answered to my call for booking the cabins at the sighting area, those without electricity and closer to the trail. But it seemed they had forgotten my booking, or perhaps they didn`t believe we were going to arrive.
After a debate about the calls and messages, we were given the cabins that are located 5 km from the town, which belongs to the spectacular Tehuacan Cuicatlan biosphere reserve.
Christian, Don Antonio’s son, would pick us up at 4PM for the hiking tour to the canyon, and watching the precious green feathers. So, we hurried up and took out the cooler to eat at the «Cacalote» camp.
Christian-Paul appeared with another guide just some minutes after four. They were in his pick-up truck, on which they always carry a black water tank, just in case they have to fill the cabins` storage tanks, since the only running water is the river under the road.
Hastily, Christian told us to take the road with a slightly hostile tone to me, but later I would realize, that we were just in time to start a fairly steep trail before sunset.
The entrance to the canyon is on the road to Oaxaca at kilometer 104, by controlled access and an unpaved road, preventing anyone from getting into it. A few meters from the parking lot are there two cabins, with outdoor bathrooms and a palapa with a fire pit, perfect for rural lodging lovers.
The trail up to the canyon is very well traced, with some inclinations of 45 degrees, which undoubtedly made some of us dog tired. Among the coniferous forest and xerophilous vegetation, we heard a macaw call in the distance, instinctively inciting our sight to the sky in search of some signal.
Motivated by the song and in total silence, we found the first «ara militaris» perched on a naked branch, just a few meters from us.
It is inexplicable the thrill of seeing birds in their natural habitat; being able to listen the variety of songs that bounce between the walls of the cliff with unparalleled views, feeling drops of sweat reminding you, why are you here at Santa Maria Tecomavaca MEXICO.
Ale Rots
VIVENCIAS MEXICO
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