World Run II / Reports

The map shows the position of which the pictures for the day are taken (if any). The start and finish markers are placed at the first and last valid registered position. This is not nessesary the actual start and finish position, if GSM or GPS signals was not available.

Goto: 2011-10-06 2011-10-08 Peru

2011-10-07:

36
Distance today: 30.0 km (Accumulated: 28969.0 km)
Elapsed time: 02:48:21
Country: Peru

Start 09:30am., 25c, half cloudy & light wind, at km-stone "105" on hwy. 1NN. Finish 13:10pm., 34c & same, at km-stone "135" on hwy. 1NN.

Oilfields, a new road - and a friendly Hotel :-)

...Last night our small team was camping in the middle of an oilfield, falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the puffing' and spluttering' dieselengines of the round-the-clock pumps, extracting petrol from the soil below.

I am currently running through Peru's largest oil-field, situated at the most Western point of the South American continent. As I think you can recognize from the first number of pictures in the series from todays run - it meant a landscape ravaged by oilpumps, pipelines, drills, heavy-truk tracks. I have never seen a landscape so destroyed by human interference and left a waste-land for the generations to take over. Atleast visually speaking - I can't say for certain how the actual ecological impact is; but I doubt its very good!
Iconically I passed by a sign from a Norvegian organisation which on the sign, some 15y. old, proclaimed that the area was an example of good enviromental conduct and in accordance with all ISO-standards. I was surprised to see that ! However; in South America anything is possible with the right 'persuation' (money...) and this looked like a prime example. Unless the quoted ISO-standards on the sign were concearning the latest standard for destroying an enviroment ;-)

Still; it was far from a bad expeience:

As I was running along, beeing a bit burned by the sun and contemplating our tough impact on the planet - I saw a new road beeing build up ahead. And just as I was about to think how that too is one of our many unfortunate needs for petrol-products; then I saw an old woman walking at the side of the newly laid tarmac - She was collecting wooden sticks which often is to be found at the roadside in the dust. These are, as far as I've seen, used for cooking-fire and other domestic uses in the simple brick-houses of the poorer parts of the peruvian cities and villages.

- This old woman in my oppinion show a brilliant example of how it is actually possible to manage our impact on this planet in a way which doenst play havoc with it. I was in deep respect of her. I know very well that her collecting the dusty brances from the roadside is due to lack of other needs. But this doesnt take away that is by leaps and lengths a more 'responsible' way of dealing with our common nature. And a good example of, how "poor" people of the world very often are the ones most rich in their dignity reguarding our planet. Not that I am any different from the rest of us who are leaving a gaping hole in our planets ressources - But it still makes me smile and appreciate when I see how it can be done right !! :-)

Another positive was the accomodation, after an elseway hard day of running, despite the short distance; and afterwards 2-3 hours of searching for a hotel which wasnt hugely tourist-priced (I am now entering one of the prime beach-resort areas of South America! Puzzeling enough right after the oilfield zone - but they are conveniently removed from the tourists view and main routes ;-)

- I found a little hotel/hostel which instead of the 100usd. and upwards charged... lo usd. all included. And to top it up had a very friendly staff which was eager to engage in some talks despite my very limited spanish language. A real gem' here in Mancora village amongst the more 'cool style' tourist resorts along the coast !

Now I'll see if I can gather some strength and relax at the beach a few steps away... Since I should within one or two days put in a much longer distance in order to reach the border to Equador before my visa expires. I suspect; if I dont meet this deadline, that I'll get to feel the full fun' of the authorities in Peru ;-)

PS: I have to add that during the stage the support-car nearly ran out of gasoline !! Humorous in the middle of a large-scale oil-field ;-) But it also show how its Easy to have the 'right oppinions' - but far more of a job to do something valuable about it in our everyday life. I for one could try to find the strength in the legs to run with the running-stroller for support (as in world run one) instead of the support-car to carry my supplies, water & logistics !