We are so excited around WLBOTT headquarters! Tomorrow starts the month of Project 2124.
The project, conceived by Elder-Blotter UC#3, encourages us to take a hopeful glance into the future. More details tomorrow.
WLBOTT 2124 Prep: Spiritual, Mental, Physical
In practical terms, this means a day of napping.
Each Elder will provide their own vision of the year 2124.
Without spilling any beans, UC#4’s vision includes Ecuador. UC#4 will be constructing a space elevator in this delightful South American country.
Semi-Sequitur: The Amazon
The source of the Amazon is a subject of great debate.
But it is known that Francisco de Orellana arrived in Quitor [Ecuador] and headed east, making friends and spreading joy all along the way (actually bringing death and disease with every step he took).
It’s hard to look at paintings of conquistadors and not wonder:
these guys were Christians?
how often did this guy take a bath? [1]
Route of first voyage (1541–1542) By jkan997
The main source of the largest river in the world has been a subject of exploring and speculations for centuries and continues to cause arguments even today. Determining the origin of the Amazon River has evoked broad debates among scholars, explorers, and travelers all over the world. Different definitions of a river’s source have been used and continue to be used. Generally, four main criteria can be applied to determine the main source of a river: source flow rate, source length, watershed area of the source, and an altitude of its spring. At present, the Amazon River is not considered to have one unique source but a number of headstream areas. These are headwaters of three different Peruvian rivers that can be found in the high Andes: the Marañón, the Apurímac, and the Mantaro.
By Kmusser – This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:, CC BY-SA 3.0Wikipedia
The cross marks a spring, the headwater of the Apacheta River, one of the two sources of the Amazon on the Apurímac River. By Jialiang Gao www.peace-on-earth.org Carhuasanta Rocky Spring By Jan Kocum – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 The Marañón River is formed by the union of the Nupe River (right) and the Lauricocha River (center) at an elevation of 10,882 feet (3,317 m). By Waterloo1883 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 Carhuasanta Laguna Bohemia By Jan Kocum – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Let’s take a look at the location of one of these headwaters.
But first, tooting around the Peruvian byways in search of the source of the Amazon, we encountered this. Imagine sputtering along in the foothills of the mighty Andes. You haven’t seen a soul for 100km, and suddenly you are being overtaken by the Google-mobile?
¡Hola señor! ¿Cómo estás hoy?
Caylloma, Peru
The Apurímac River (Quechua: Apurimaq mayu; Spanish: Río Apurímac, IPA: [ˈri.o apuˈɾimak]; from Quechua apu ‘divinity’ and rimaq ‘oracle, talker’) rises from glacial meltwater of the ridge of the Mismi, a 5,597-metre-high (18,363 ft) mountain in the Arequipa Province in the south-western mountain ranges of Peru, 10 km (6.2 mi) from the village Caylloma, and less than 160 km (99 mi) from the Pacific coast. It flows generally northwest past Cusco in narrow gorges with depths of up to 3,000 m (9,800 ft), almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, its course interrupted by falls and rapids. Of the six attempts so far to travel the Apurímac in its full length, only two have been successful.
By Bryan Dougherty from New York City, USA – Apurimac River, CC BY-SA 2.0View of the source of the Apacheta stream, in the Nevado Mismi, considered the most distant source of the Amazon River itself. Google AI: The Caylloma District in Peru has an elevation of 14,140 ft (4,310 m).
After 730 kilometres (450 mi), the Apurímac joins the Mantaro River and becomes the Ene River, 440 m (1,440 ft) above sea level; then after joining the Perené River at 330 m (1,080 ft) above sea level, it becomes the Tambo River; when it joins the Urubamba at 280 m (920 ft) above sea level the river becomes the Ucayali, which is the main headstream of the Amazon. Sometimes the complete river from its source to its junction with the Ucayali, including the rivers Ene and Tambo, is called “Apurímac”, with a total length of 1,070 km (660 mi).
The Wikipedia images for the Callalli District of Peru are spectacular.
By Tobias Deml – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 Rock formation a few minutes outside of Callalli By Tobias Deml – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 A herd of alpacas grazing outside of the Mollepunko caves close to Callalli By Tobias Deml – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 A Condor flying over the Colca Canyon By Abehm-de. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 Iglesia Callalli de San Antonio de Padua By Tobias Deml – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 By Tobias Deml – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 Nevado Mismi from the southeast (in the foreground, the village of Coporaque and Lake Lima Cota) By Daniel Stein – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Yawar Fiesta
While flying over the town of Callalli (elevation approx 14,000 ft), we noticed the stadium for bull fights.
Turns out there is a unique Peruvian/ Inca spin on bull fighting.
The Peruvian Blood Festival [Yawar Fiesta] is a striking spectacle, with a giant condor strapped to the back of an enraged bull in front of a roaring crowd. For many Peruvians, it is a symbolic re-enactment of their liberation from Spanish rule. For conservationists, it is yet another threat to one of the world’s largest birds.
There’s a lot at stake during the battle. If any harm should come to the condor, the villagers believe it’s a bad omen for the year — and the dwindling condor population suffers another setback.
Conservationists want to put an end to the Yawar Fiesta in order to help protect the species. But many Peruvians say they want to preserve the traditional event, which takes place every year on July 29, the day after Peru celebrates its independence.
No one knows exactly how many condors are left in Peru, but the general consensus is that there are 600 to 1,000 remaining, and their numbers are declining.
The Role Of Condors
Condors, which weigh up to 33 pounds and sport an enormous 10-foot wingspan, eat dead animals that could otherwise harbor lethal bacteria like anthrax and botulism.
They have long lifespans, reaching up to 75 years in captivity. But they also reproduce slowly — only one chick every other year. Both parents are needed to raise offspring, which demand support for an entire year, said Michael Mace, the curator of birds at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
“When [the people] put the condor on top of the bull that is a way of saying the Inca is back,” Larrabure said. “For them, it’s important to have that feeling — at least once a year they can hope.”
WLBOTT: Good morning, Chat! Nice to visit with you today. How are your electrons flying today?
ChatGPT: Good morning! It’s always nice to chat with you too. My electrons are zipping around as usual, ready to help with whatever you need. What’s on your mind today?
WLBOTT: Here’s an odd question for you. What is known about the personal hygiene habits of the conquistadors?
ChatGPT: The personal hygiene habits of the conquistadors, like many aspects of their daily lives, varied widely depending on factors such as their social status, background, and the conditions of their expeditions. However, there are some general insights we can glean from historical records and accounts.
1. **Bathing**: Bathing habits among the conquistadors were likely quite different from modern standards. While some conquistadors may have bathed regularly, others may have gone for extended periods without bathing due to the challenges of life on expeditions, including scarcity of water and harsh environmental conditions.
2. **Clothing**: Conquistadors typically wore heavy clothing and armor, which could lead to discomfort and sweat accumulation. This, combined with the lack of regular bathing, likely contributed to less-than-ideal personal hygiene conditions.
3. **Perfumes and Aromatics**: To mask body odors, some conquistadors may have used perfumes, aromatic herbs, or other fragrances, although the availability of such luxuries would have depended on their wealth and resources.
4. **Dental Hygiene**: Dental hygiene was likely poor by modern standards. Toothbrushes and toothpaste were not commonly used, and dental care may have been limited to rudimentary practices such as chewing on herbs or using rough materials to clean the teeth.
5. **Medical Treatments**: Some conquistadors may have been knowledgeable about basic medical treatments, including wound care and herbal remedies, which could indirectly contribute to personal hygiene by preventing infections and promoting general health.
Overall, while personal hygiene practices among the conquistadors may not have been up to modern standards, it’s important to consider the historical context and the challenges they faced during their expeditions in unfamiliar and often hostile environments.
