Our outing today, to Santa Cruz, the second largest island of Galapagos, had several highlights. After a few days of overwhelming wildlife viewing, we returned to civilization. Paved streets, houses, fences, walls, shops, vehicles of transportation, people… And, in spite of the barbwire that men use to mark their boundaries, the wonders of nature cannot be contained. The fearlessness of the animals, their innocent curiosity and friendly behavior, remind us that it is possible to live together in harmony. Even if we are different, we can coexist if we respect our neighbor's rights.
I think this fact is one of the main attractions of these "enchanted islands." In few other corners of the world is it possible to feel so close to nature and to actively be a part of it: a Galapagos mocking bird landing on your shoulder or pecking at your backpack, sea lions inspecting you, face-to-face with a playful manner, penguins swimming right in front of your mask during a snorkeling excursion, giant tortoises lumbering past so close to you, sharks sharing their underwater domain, and tiny brazen birds, like this Galapagos flycatcher, approaching you without fear, as if you were a known friend. Sadly their fearlessness has made some of them victims of the voracity and aggression of mankind. We have endangered our shared environment and exterminated some of their species. Yet here in Galapagos they give us still another chance to prove that we have learned a lesson and that we are ready to live with them in harmony.
