Totally Ticked Off

Original airdate: February 15, 2009

Two Crazy Chicks Productions is pleased to present Episode 6 of The Adventures of Yumiko and Eden in Panama, an epic journey of discovery fraught with peril…

There are some things that one is better off not knowing about beforehand, Eden thinks as our intrepid heroines and their stalwart companions are preparing for a hike into the tropical dry forest. Among them: the fact that during the dry season the Darién is rife with ticks.

“Tuck your pants into your socks,” Deibys instructs. “Then wrap your ankles with masking tape, sticky side out. That way, when the ticks try to crawl up your legs, they’ll get stuck. Oh, and be sure to spray yourself with plenty of insect repellent.”

Looking oh-so-jungle chic and reeking of DEET and sunscreen, the brave band sets forth.

The heat and humidity are oppressive.  And there are ticks. Lot of ticks. Ticks of all sizes. Swarming over our fearless females’ hiking boots. Creeping up their socks. Sticking to the masking tape. Crawling over their fallen comrades and sneaking up the pant legs of our peerless protagonists.

So even as Yumiko and Eden look for black-tailed trogon and parrot snake, they must keep an eye out for those persistent little parasites.

Upon return to the lodge, the dynamic duo goes through the de-ticking process. They gingerly remove the tick-covered masking tape. They pick stray ticks off of their clothes. They check under their shoelaces and between their toes. They examine every spot, freckle, and speckle on their skin.

Such trauma clearly requires a postprandial siesta. Lulled to sleep by a welcome breeze, the chattering of birds, and the gentle swaying of the hammocks, our hardy heroines and their fellows rest and recuperate.

Fortunately, the afternoon’s scheduled activity does not involve the risk of acquiring an unwanted, bloodsucking, disease-carrying hitchhiker. Upon rising, the group piles into the canoe and goes in search of wildlife. They spot crab-eating raccoons, ospreys, and red-lored parrots. As frigatebirds and pelicans soar overhead, they watch the sky turn pink with the setting of sun.

Over dinner, Deibys briefs the troops on the big day to come, the day that the nine of them head deep into the jungle in hopes of seeing Panama’s national bird, the enormous, endangered (and very odd-looking) harpy eagle. This is the reason Yumiko and Eden have ventured into the Darién.

Though the tides dictate an early departure for the remote Embera village of Mogue, the travelers linger at the table, joking and laughing like old friends. It is with reluctance that our intrepid heroines return to their cabin, but they know that they will need their strength for the adventure that awaits them.

Will our fearless females see a harpy eagle? Tune in to our next episode to find out!

© Eden Feuer