El Hombre Pajaro

With four of my co workers, from the foundation Cholchol, we travelled to Puerto Saavedra to meet the notorious “ Hombre Pajaro”, also known as Don Lorenzo Aillapan. We arrived at his house at around 12 and he had only just arrived before us from another commitment. This man never stops, he is forever being invited here there and everywhere. Like a bird he travels the world, spreading his knowledge and stories. He has been to France, Sweden, China and in the next two weeks he will be setting off for Canada, by invitation from a university there. You would think someone of his status would not have the time or patience to receive us volunteers in his house, but on arrival we all sat down at his table to share a mate, bread and stories. He speaks with such passion and expression that the conversation was even entertaining for Daisuke, our Japanese volunteer who has only newly arrived and has limited Spanish. His bird songs are enchanting and are exactly like the bird he is interpreting. He said that he sees his spirit in the birds and for this reason if he sees a bird in a cage it makes him very sad. We were also lucky enough to visit the Machi Berta, Don Lorenzo's friend, who lives in the surrounding countryside of Puerto Saaverdra. She speaks little Spanish so Don Lorenzo had to translate our many questions.