Day 26: If in doubt, ask (I ask 20 questions)

Before I know it, it's nearly March and I'm no closer to booking. If I'm going to do this trip I have to reserve my place soon.

I have more or less eliminated going as a standard tourist for the reasons already mentioned on my previous posts, but I'm having a problem deciding whether I'm up to being a volunteer.

I speak to the very nice people at http://www.ventureco-worldwide.com/ who make me feel special with their enthusiasm and don’t make me feel like an idiot when I ask simple questions as “what does rustic accommodation mean” or “what exactly will I be expected to do as a volunteer?”

In order to help potential future volunteers, here are 20 of my questions:

1) What’s the food like? (I like to get my priorities right!)
Apparently, it’s excellent – right now one of the volunteers is a chef so you won’t be living on a diet of re-fried beans. There will be a lot of yummy dishes that mostly, though not exclusively, revolve around rice, vegetables and fruit.

Don’t worry, you won’t go hungry. You get three hearty meals a day so no need to bring supplies of Mars Bars from home.

2) What kind of work will I be doing? (Yes, this should have definately been my first question!)
The project on San Cristobal is mostly involved with land conservation. You will mostly be clearing introduced species such as blackberry bushes and other endemic flora. The bio-diversity has been seriously affected by many invasive plants and there is only one way to remove them: manual labour. Herbicides cannot be used as they will kill off indigenous flora/poison the fauna.

The project has been very successful clearing large areas of blackberries for example.

2a) I’m not a young person. Will there be work that suits my age and fitness?
Although most volunteers are gap students or people taking a career break, older people also work on the project. There is a 65-year old lady there right now, so if she can do it, you can do it.

You won't be expected to do this work every day (5 days on, 2 days off, 8 hours a day); there are plenty of light duties such as observation and classification of native, endemic and invasive species (flora and fauna) and helping in the kitchen.

3) Because I’m a woman and able to cook, does that mean I will be expected to be help in the kitchen every day?
Definately not! You may be rota-ed to help in the kitchen but the chef’s in charge. If you’re hurting after a day of clearing vegetation, you may even be glad of a quiet day at the project peeling or chopping vegetables.

4) What’s the island like where I’ll be actually working?
You will be living and working on San Cristobal. It is situated in the far south-east of the archipelago and since the island has an airport it has become the start and end point for many tours.

The population is approx 8-10,000 and is the Ecuadorian administrative headquarters for all of the islands.

However, just because planes land here, it doesn't affect the amount of wildlife you'll get to see. If wildlife is what you want to see, you will certainly be surrounded by it. You will get to know the island very well, being close up and personal with parts of the island and experiencing close encounters with the native flora and fauna that the ordinary tourist will not.

If you want to learn more about any of the islands in the Galapagos archipelago, there are quite a few books available such as:

The Galapagos Islands (exploring, enjoying, & understanding Darwin’s enchanted islands) by Marylee Stephenson (The Mountaineers Books – ISBN: 978-0-89886-688-9)

5) You say I will be walking a “long” way. How far is “long”?
Not far – probably less than half a mile each way? We don’t want you arriving so tired you can’t do a day’s work!

Regarding fitness, you do need to be able to do a day’s work but the pace is relaxed – you can’t be expected to work fast and furiously in the heat. If you’re not already relatively fit, we suggest you start a fitness regime at least 8 weeks before you start at the project.

6) I don’t speak Spanish. Can I get away with not speaking the language?
Probably, though having a few words will help, especially for your free days on mainland Ecuador at the start and end of your trip. You may even learn a bit more Spanish working with the locals.

7) What are the personal washing arrangements?
Remember, the accommodation isn’t a hotel but there is a shower! Please bring soap such as Pears or Simple. Everything you use on the island must not be damaging to the environment, so no shower gel etc.

8) What about the electricity supply?
There is electricity at the project but it is not available 24/7.

8a) So I should really leave the hairdryer at home? (I’ve actually got short hair so this question is on behalf of my longer-haired sisters!)
Yes! Amazingly, we get asked this question quite a lot. If you can't bear to be without your dryer or straighteners, maybe you shouldn't be thinking of this kind of trip.

Your hair will dry quickly here without the benefit of a hairdryer. The resulting style might not be what you’re used to but if you’re sensible you will be wearing a sun-hat all day anyway so faffing around with your normal hairstyle would be a waste of time. Everyone will have “hat hair!”

9) What are the sleeping arrangements? (I'm assuming males and females will sleep in separate rooms/buildings but I'm sure I'll cope if not!)
The station consists of two houses constructed with bamboo and cement. Accommodation is in a shared rustic bunkhouse. There is room for groups of up to 45 people. You will be sleeping on a bed but please bring your own mosquito net.

If you have camped before, you will be used to the conditions.

10) Mosquito net? What about mosquitoes?
The archipelago is on the equator, so inevitably there are biting insects on the island, including mosquitoes but there is no malaria in Galapagos. If you are prone to bites, please bring sufficient repellent. Please use natural products, avoiding chemically based ones such as DEET.

Please also bring something with which to treat bites. Take anti-histamine (preferably non-drowsy) and bring enough supplies to last.

Wear clothing to cover your skin during the day to help avoid bites; this will also help you avoid sunburn.

11) Will my efforts really benefit the community? You hear stories about money from well-intentioned western communities going into projects in other third world countries where the villagers haven’t been consulted.
All projects have been approved by the community and a project will not take place unless somebody local is working with you. In fact, you will working under the guidance of a skilled local artisan. A portion of your fee goes straight to the project.

12) Is the water safe to drink?
No, do not drink the water unless it has been boiled but there is plenty of bottled water available on the island and at the project so ensure you just drink bottled or sterilised water.

13) Should I take my own water purification system or tablets?
If you want to and you have enough weight allowance left you can take a supply of tablets just in case you are caught out in the field without bottled water but generally there is no need.

14) Is the food safe to eat in the town of San Cristobal or on mainland Ecuador in Quito?
Apply common-sense. Food safety rules apply as for any holiday in a hot climate:

Stay away from some snack food stalls, avoid meat.
Don’t have ice in your drinks;
Don’t drink anything made with untreated tap water unless it has been boiled;
Avoid salads;
Clean your teeth with bottled water;
Take a bottle of hand gel (don't pack it in your hand luggage though) to keep your own hands clean.

15) Will I be able to recharge my camera battery / rechargeable battery if there is limited electricity at the project?
Yes, but there may be a queue for available sockets. Best if you bring at least one spare battery for your camera.

16) Will I be able to recharge my mp3 player / ipod using a USB connection?
No, not at the project. There are computers in the internet cafes in town so you can recharge your equipment there also with their unreliable electricity and internet access. The trip to town takes from 30 mins to 1 hour; taxis cost approximately $20, which you can share between a few of you. Often the centre staff are able to provide lifts for free

17) Should I bring my own snorkelling gear?
It’s up to you. If you have your own and you have enough room, bring it. But snorkelling equipment is available to buy or hire on the island.

18) I don’t have a big enough rucksack. Can I bring a suitcase?
We don’t recommend you bring a suitcase especially if you are travelling on after your stay here. Backpackers don’t have suitcases for good reason. If your funds are limited try and borrow one or buy a second-hand rucksack.

Size wise, you are limited by local airline regulations from mainland Ecuador, so no more than 20 kgs but in any case, if you are lightweight it is recommended you should carry no more than 25% of your own body weight.

Please don’t bring “everything but the kitchen sink”. A good guide is to put everything you sensibly think you’ll need in a pile, then remove half of it, then remove half of what’s left! Most people pack far too much.

You will also need to bring a daysack big enough to carry your wet-weather gear, sufficient water for the day, your pack-lunch, camera, binoculars. 20-25 litres is the maximum size.

19) What wildlife will I see on San Cristobal?
You will see a lot of wildlife – the list is too big but see this link. A lot depends on the time of year you are going. See this website for more information on Galapagos and San Cristobal: http://www.galapagos-islands-tourguide.com/san-cristobal-island.html

20) What is there to drink at the project? Tea? Coffee?
Coffee, yes, tea, no. If you can't live without your regular cuppa, you need to bring your own supply.

There may well be beer but you have to pay for that! Remember to budget for it if you like a bottle or three!