Last month Jessica Rosman, director of supplier diversity and sustainability at Caesars Entertainment, was one of ten professionals in the world selected to take part in the Corporate Eco Forum’s Sustainability Leadership Development Program, “Journey to Camp 41 – Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest.” Lead by world-renowned ecologist, Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy, Jessica and the others were able to explore the delicate ecosystems near the convergence of the Amazon and Rio Negro rivers. Below, she shares a journal entry about her experience. Check back for more posts and pictures from her trip.
DAY 1
River Boat
“Incredible is an understatement. My thoughts are overwhelming, I want to record everything.
I woke up this morning in time- whew! We were expected to wake up and be downstairs by 7:30 a.m., that’s 4:30 a.m. Vegas time. After eating breakfast in the cafeteria, we walked over to the boat launch area. The hotel Tropical was located along the Amazon River – a bit outside the town but ideal for enjoying the cool breeze from the Amazon.
After learning about the dangers of direct sunlight in the tropics, and properly covering all of our skin, we started our journey down the river toward Manaus City. It’s hard to grasp that we are more than 1,000 miles inland. The sheer size and width of the river in addition to the breeze that it created tricked my mind into thinking we were next to the ocean. The Amazon and Nile fight for the number one and two positions for the longest river title, each around 6,500 km or 3,500 miles.
It was fascinating how the two large bodies of water, the Rio Negro and the Amazon, did not mix for 30 miles or so.”
