Meet the Tourists
An Interview with Visitors at El Rosario Monarch Sanctuary
(English/Español)
February 23, 2012
Dear Friends:
This weekend, I decided to interview tourists visiting "El Rosario" Sanctuary and share their perceptions with you. This is the way out of town toward El Rosario. Nice view from Angangueo, isn't it? Here we go!
When tourists are about to reach the entrance to the Sanctuary, they see the big parking space below. As we started into the sanctuary, we ran into Isabel and Ramses. The two youngsters were from the neighboring state of Morelos and were visiting the monarchs for the first time.
Ramses: "We knew about the sanctuary through our relatives, who encouraged us to come. I was not expecting to be in such a wonderful place. I was stunned the moment we reached the Sanctuary. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the spectacular number of butterflies on the trees!"
Isabel: "I loved what I saw today. The only suggestion I would make is that more control is needed, since we are too many people up here."
All along the 30-minute walk to the core of the sanctuary, tourists see guides every 50 meters who can answer questions. Ana, a 17-year-old high school student who was born in El Rosario, is proud of her weekend job as assistant guide:
Ana: "I love what I do. During our training course we learned about the long migration Monarchs take to arrive here, about their life cycle, and about how we should assist tourists. We even learn how to introduce ourselves in English. Now I know much more about my homeland, and I am especially proud of our natural heritage."
During the 30-minute walk, tourists see big information signs where they will learn about the Monarch Reserve, the migration, food needs, and how the forest habitat protects the monarchs.
Once I reached the colony, I was able to interview 4 University students, Estefanía, Jesús, Emilio and Eva. They were extremely kind and thrilled to express their opinions about their visit.
Estefania, Environmental Engineering student: "What we have seen is a marvel of animal life up here in this part of our country. I would not care if I had to pay even more as entrance fee, if I knew that more contributions would be made to preserve this treasure."
Jesus, Forest Sciences Student: "I would say that, more than trained guides leading and assisting tourists, it is mandatory that Forestal Engineers would be the ones watching after and regulating the visit of tourists and explaining the importance of the preservation of the Reserve itself. It would be so important to let people know that the logging in the region is taking away all the seed stock, and by that, the genetical degradation of the forest will eventually alter the characteristics of the Reserve. On the other side, this could be an excellent place to explain to all people coming from big cities that pollution might sooner or later reach these regions and the whole ecosystem could be altered without remedy if people in big cities do not do our part to contribute to preservation of our natural reserves."
Emilio, Programming Engineer: "I would say that tourists could be better controlled if smaller groups were organized under a regulated flow to reach the core point in set intervals of time."
Eva, Math Student: "We should really be aware of these wonder of animal life in our region. We carry an enormous responsibility on our shoulders for their preservation."
A few steps ahead I reached the core of the Sanctuary and was amazed to see what was in front of my eyes: From the point I was standing and my sight could reach, I could count around 70 trees all covered with Monarchs with branches hanging due to the heavy clusters.
On the way back, José Luis and Rafael, 8 and 10, elementary schools students, recognized me as the Journey North mail girl and asked me for a ride. They live nearby in "La Salud" community and are working at the Sanctuary's parking space taking care of cars and cleaning them, if requested by clients. They were both very happy, since they made one-hundred pesos each today! To my question as to what they would do with this money, the both answered in chorus, and without hesistating:
José Luis and Rafael: "We will give it to our mothers to contribute to our home's expenses."
They deeply moved me and I immediately confirmed how deep our roots are regarding solidarity to our families and pride to our mothers, especially in small regions like ours. With these wonderful impressions I reached home late in the afternoon, feeling privileged to live in this region and to have the chance to have looked through this window today from my own homeland.
With these wonderful impressions I reached home late in the afternoon, feeling privileged to live in this region and to have the chance to have looked through this window today at my own homeland.
Your local reporter,
Estela Romero,
Angangueo, Michoacán, México
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