Who we are...

I am a high school earth and life science teacher in Long Beach, California. I am married with 3 children. I really dislike grasshoppers so this has been an experience. I am using muscles on this trip I never knew I had!!!

Natalya is from Belarus and works for British American Tobacco although she doesn't smoke. She works on anti-smoking campaigns. There is no peanut butter in her country so she will be taking some home with her. Tonight she is making us authentic potato pancakes, a Belarussian favorite.

Elles (pronounced Ellis) is from Holland and works for Shell. Her boots fell apart the first day of our trip and she has been seriously duct taping them each morning. She thinks that our American cars are entirely too big! Don't get her to try something new, she won't do it!!!

Claudine is from Ireland and is half Dutch, half Irish. She works for a medical device company and recently graduated college with a major in Geology. Claudine enjoyed several firsts this trip: first twinkie, first trip to a Big Kmart and first experience with a yellow school bus.

Mike is an economist from Chicago. He is married with baby #1 on the way. He ran the Chicago marathon in October, 2006.

Jean is my fellow North American buddy. She is from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and works for Shell, eh. When she left to come here, it was -30 Celsius with lots of snow.

Aziz is from Uzbekistan and works for British American Tobacco. He claims to be a professional anaconda hunter.

Ali is from Southern California and volunteers at the Aquarium of the Pacific. She is currently in college studying geology.

Karen is a naturalist from Virginia. She is here with her husband Kit. They have participated in the following Earthwatch Expeditions: Idaho mountain lions, Virginia's Shenandoah wildlife, Mexican forest carnivores, Polar Bears in Manitoba, Grasslands of Brazil and the Puerto Rican rainforest.

Kit is here with his wife Karen. He works in finance from Virginia and has participated in 6 Earthwatch Expeditions.

Sabine is from Holland, works for Shell and loves frogs.