Why did Alexander decide to travel to Ecuador?
It is understandable that circumstances may not allow travel, but people who feel the need to do so venture out anyway. At the beginning of the 19th century (1801-1900) transcontinental travel was not an easy journey. The sail-powered ships that carried travelers were slow, uncomfortable, and more vulnerable to storms than modern steel vessels (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. Russian ship “Three Bridges” of the Rossiya line, had 120 cannons, 1839, unidentified author.
Furthermore, the ships housed a large crew, leaving little space for the travelers; safety during the voyage was not guaranteed since the golden age of piracy (1690–1730) was less than a century before Alexander´s voyage (Fig. 2).
Figure 2. The capture of the pirate Blackbeard in 1718, depicting the battle between the pirate and Lieutenant Maynard in Ocracoke Bay. Painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, from the same year.
Travelers who, for the reasons mentioned, very rarely took this type of transport for long journeys without a pressing need. The concept of tourism at that time had a merely local or regional scope, changing continents was a decision of much greater commitment; especially towards a newly discovered continent. For the same reason, few adventurers dared to undertake such a journey that represented the trip from Europe to America, the great majority including themselves as part of the crew of transcontinental ships; in search of a new beginning in a different world. Very few traveled with the horizon of knowing the exotic lands recently colonized and returning to tell about it, Alexander von Humboldt was one of those adventurers. Adventurers who have left an invaluable legacy of knowledge for human beings, as have been other recognized pioneers who have set foot on the land that nowadays is known as Ecuador. Edward Whymper, English mountaineer and explorer, dedicated to the exploration of the Andes and the study of the altitudinal gradients of our tropical snow-capped mountains (Fig. 3).
Figure 3. Edward Whymper and the Italian guides Jean Antoine and Louis Carrel reached the summit of Cayambe (5,790 m) on April 4, 1880.
Charles Robert Darwin (Fig. 4), English environmental scientist, perceiving and explaining the evolution of species on the enchanted islands of the Galapagos or Édouard Charton, French explorer of the natural and cultural landscape of the new continent (Fig. 5).
Figure 4. Charles Darwin’s Voyage to the Galápagos Islands: A Journey That Shaped Modern Science.
Figure 5. On the left; cover of the first volume of Le Tour du Monde, on the right; street view of a neighborhood in Quito. Recovered from Ecuador in the pages of “Le Tour du Monde” (National Council of Culture).
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt, born 14 September 1769, was a German polymath, geographer, naturalist, explorer, and proponent of romantic philosophy and science (Fig. 6). His father, Alexander Georg von Humboldt (1720–1779), belonged to a prominent German noble family from Pomerania. Although not a titled nobleman, he was a commander in the Prussian army who had served under the Duke of Brunswick. At age 42, Alexander Georg was rewarded for his services in the Seven Years’ War with the position of royal chamberlain. He profited from the contract to lease state lotteries and tobacco sales, making himself a large fortune and holding high state offices. For example, the younger brother Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835) was a Prussian minister, philosopher, and linguist.
Figure 6. Alexander von Humboldt, the man who described our Cosmos.
Apparently, Alexander had the financial means to make the trip and contemplate a return. However, why leave behind the comforts of a refined, quiet and safe life? Well, because of that inner drive that some people feel to discover new things, venturing into the unknown or into what we personally do not know. As the Ecuadorian culinary saying goes: don’t let them tell you, try it yourself! In this context, his diligence was driven by the mere objective of expanding the universal worldview of human beings at that time, his own and that of others! A task to which he dedicated more than 25 years, publishing several books until culminating his work in 1845 «Cosmos. Essay on a Physical Description of the World», with which he described the structure of the known universe. Humboldt resurrected the use of the word cosmos from ancient Greek, discussing a wide variety of topics on biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry and meteorology. Humboldt’s work on botanical geography laid the groundwork for the field of biogeography, while his advocacy of long-term systematic geophysical measurement pioneered modern geomagnetic and meteorological monitoring. His work also motivated a holistic perception of the universe as an interacting entity, which introduced concepts of ecology that led to ideas of environmentalism. He also anticipated and, based on his observations during his travels, described the local impacts of development causing today’s human-induced climate change. Humboldt is regarded as «the father of ecology» and «the father of environmentalism.»
His journey was such a great experience that, as a human being, he broadened his personal horizons to the point that he created a fundamental work for humans and today’s society. Before ending this first Blog, I quote some words from the introduction of his book «Kosmos» that reflect a little of the perplexity he felt during his adventure.
- In attempting, after a long absence from my native country, to develop the physical phenomena of the world, and the simultaneous action of the forces which pervade the regions of space, I experience a double cause of anxiety. The subject before me is so inexhaustible and so varied, that I fear to fall into superficiality. Nature is a free domain, and the deep conceptions and enjoyments which she awakens within us can only be vividly delineated by thought clothed in exalted forms of expression, worthy of bearing witness to the majesty and grandeur of creation. –
Unlike Alexander’s great adventure, at Humboldt Trips we take care to keep risks far away. We thoroughly know the towns and accommodations we visit, with a discreet and exclusive operation, with trained, experienced, knowledgeable and constantly evaluated staff. We offer in our adventures all the space for interest, wonder and entertainment. We contribute with income that supports jobs in each town; in a country that has a lot of potential and a lot of faith in tourism and the conservation of nature through its contemplation, knowledge and care. With the main objective that all our adventurers live a unique, enriching, unforgettable and safe experience!
Figure 7. HT adventurers enjoying a traditional dance with the Amazonian community of Ahuano.
Thank you very much for reading this blog, Alexander’s trip on our blog is just beginning; join us next month for a second chapter about his trip.
Greetings to all and welcome to Humboldt Trips.
Sincerely,
Patricio Javier Andino Guarderas
Humboldt Trips CEO