Journal 5

The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean
Reflection

Photo Credit to Emily.

1. What were your initial thoughts after you finished the book?

I cannot believe she did not find the ghost orchid! I was anticipating this throughout the whole book. Let’s just say I will never look at an orchid the same way. I knew absolutely nothing about orchids or even plants. Nor do I really have an interest in ever knowing anything about plants. And yet, I found Susan Orlean’s book, The Orchid Thief, fascinating. How can that be? I think it’s because the historical details she included were anything but boring. This was a strange story, and all of her

details were startling but unique.

2. Did you enjoy the read? Why or why not?

This book was exciting and hard to put down. It was amazing to learn that Florida possessed something so important and expensive like the ghost orchid. This book had both the history of the orchids and it went into full detail about the subculture of crazed flower lovers, like John Loarche, here in Florida. I knew nothing about orchids when I started reading this, it made me want to know more. Why were people obsessed? It made me want to get my own orchid to see if I could keep it alive.  It also made me secretly want to spend an entire day with them at the botanical garden. I also loved the way Laroche teased Susan and said she would never get through a year around orchid people without getting hooked.

3.  The Fakahatchee Strand represents various things to different characters in the book. What is its significance to Susan? To John Laroche? To the Seminole Indians?

To Susan, the Fakahatchee Strand meant it was the sanctuary to the ghost orchid. A place where such rare plants seem to live probably because of the swampy, humid, climate that Southwest Florida had to offer.  John Laroche saw potential in the Fakahatchee Strand. These orchids were so rare that people would pay a hefty amount of money just to see one of these orchids in person. He was so determined to find the ghost orchid and clone it to make millions and live comfortably.  The Seminole Indians saw the place as their home land. They saw it as history and willpower to find these precious plants for self-fulfillment than money.

4. Do you agree with Orleans' description of Southwest Florida and its native areas? Were you surprised by the way she viewed it? Do you feel it is important to preserve the lands she discusses?

I agree with Susan Orleans’ description of Southwest Florida and its native areas. I was not surprised by how she viewed it. She is right. Here in Florida you will see a pond of water go from looking like it’s near its death and then bam! It changes and it adapts to its surroundings and making itself a home for hundreds of living organisms—all occurring naturally. We need to conserve as much as we can. These places have so much rich history that needs to be conserved. I am glad that the Seminoles are recognized and that they are just as willing to preserve the land they live on and use the resources wisely without disrupting the environment.

Journal 4

Beautiful Honduras 

Photo credit to Cazual Finca. 

When I was a young child I would love to hear my parents tell me that we were going on a trip. I would be full of excitement, because I knew that we would be going to a place that I had never seen before. My parents, my sister, and I would pack our luggage and venture out and head to an unknown destination. One of my most cherished memories was when we visited our grandparents in Goascoran, Valle, Honduras back in 1995.

Honduras is full of all different kinds of land types including; wetlands, mountains and tropical rain forests. My grandparents lived in the mountains in this beautiful Spanish style home. They raised cattle and goats and cultivated their own crops such as: corn, beans, and plantains. They depended a lot on the rainy season in order to keep cultivating. As far as the appearance of the region, there were no cement roads or electricity running through the area. One had to walk for miles in order to get to the closets market or even next door neighbor. There were only two forms of water available; the well that was built years ago and a fresh river that rain through the area known as "Rio Dulce de Goascoran". It was a crystal clear water and people would drink out of. I was hesitate at first when they offered me to take a drink, but once i gained the courage to do so, I realized I had never tasted such sweet mouthwatering water in my life.

Photo Credit to WiseGeek.

Honduras had not changed much from when my grandparents were growing up. When I visited it was probably at its highest peak of lush and greener. Food was not a problem. We would always have tons of leftovers. For example, when my grandfather would milk the cows, my grandmother would boil some of the milk for us and the rest was made into delicious cheese. When the working men would come from the corn field, they would bring buckets of corn for us to peel. We would all sit together as a family and peel the corn peels away. It was an enjoyable family time we all cherished.

Photo Credit to  Brette Warshaw.

Today, Honduras has changed a great deal. They have not had as much rainfall in the past few years as they would have hoped. The fields are extremely dry and at times they have wildfires because of this. Now they have running cement roads coming in from the city. This has been a good and bad thing. It is easier to get around the area, but the downfall is that it has polluted the fresh river that the locals have depended on for so many years. They no longer drink from it, but drive to the closets market and buy water that come in plastic baggies.

Honduras has evolved throughout the years. Some of the changes undergone have had a positive and negative impact on the country and its’ regions. Honduras will continue to be beautiful in my eyes. It will always have a special place in my heart. I have made so many fond memories that I will cherish throughout my life.