my trip out to the countryside was extraordinary. one thing i didn't expect was how rare it was to find an animal, even birds. the few birds we do see are insanely beautiful, carmine and turquoise and gold, but it is almost strange how unusual it is to see them. when we stopped on the side of the road to purchase some charcoal, it was nearly silent. no insects, hardly any voices, and definitely no birds. the countryside is just too over-populated. it is strange to even see dogs here since so many of them are eaten.

driving at night, though, we saw a fox, big fruit-eating bats, and insect-hungry birds that dove in front of the headlights (followed closely by bird-hungry owls). i was estatic to see this rainbow lizard pose for me outside our hotel in namitel before he decided he preferred the company of our water tank.