Interview with Yossi Ghinsberg

Yossi was one of two survivors from a group of four that became lost in the Amazon.

Age: 47

Occupation: Currently an author, inspirational speaker and music producer.

How long did it take you to recover from the physical and mental trauma of your ordeal?

Physically it took about six months. Initially, most of my deteriorated health condition was treated by rest, good food and simple medical care, such as antibiotic ointment for my infected feet. Several months later I was diagnosed with a tropical blood infection, a rather dangerous disease for which I was treated for three months in a hospital in Brazil.

As for my mental trauma, it is either that I never suffered from any or that I never recovered from it. I've never had a nightmare, not even once. I never felt threatened by nature or the jungle. I later returned to the Amazon, to the same river and made it my home for more than two years. On the other hand, I've never led what's generally considered to be a 'normal life'; I touched something or was touched by something, I needed answers and most of my life has became somewhat of a quest.

Has the experience changed you?

I only have the life I live; I don't have a parallel life without the event to compare to. Everything changes me constantly; such a big event undoubtedly had a big impact on the course of my life.

How often do you think about it?

Very rarely.

How soon did you go back into the forest?

It took six years before I returned for the first time, but only because I was in the Middle East, far from the Amazon and completing university studies. I returned again four years later and lived deep in the Amazon for a couple of years. I currently live with my family inside a national park, a rainforest, in Australia.

Many people in your situation experience 'survivor's guilt', have you felt this?

Yes, I did for the first few years following my survival. I felt such notions as the tough, rough ones, those with sharp teeth and long sharpened fingernails survive, whilst those refined ones, the gentle and beautiful ones die. That would be a description though of all species that survive vis-à-vis the species that perished and hence it is a notion I felt but not what I consider a valid description of evolution and survival.

My guilt related to the disappearance (death as far as I am concerned) of my good friend Marcus. Circumstances were extreme and Marcus was isolated emotionally at the time of the break-up. Our group disintegrated and we split. Marcus never returned. I felt guilty. Yet, with the years to come my perspective changed. It is vanity to feel any guilt, as if his death had anything to do with my decisions; the picture is much more vast and the mystery cannot be deciphered. I do feel strongly that as long as I live Marcus lives within me.

Did you go back to look for Marcus and Karl?

We went back a few times. Kevin went back first – immediately after rescuing me, he went to search for them but found no traces whatsoever. Six years later I went to search for Karl following some rumours he was alive – I found many traces but not a living man. A few years later Marcus' mother received some information from a clairvoyant, saying Marcus was alive but suffering memory loss. She indicated the exact location where she thought he lived – in the high plateaus of Peru. The region was under control of the Shining Path at the time, but I went anyway on a dangerous journey. Marcus wasn't there.

Do you keep in touch with Kevin?

Kevin and I are good friends; in fact we are like family, though we are not in touch on a daily basis we both know we will always be there for each other – always. When opportunity allows we get together and have a great time. We rarely talk about this adventure; our friendship is far deeper than just the one event that brought us together.

Have you and Kevin been close as a result of your experiences; in the end, he saved your life?

Kevin always refused to have a relationship based on the fact that he saved my life. He was adamant that in fact I saved his life just by hanging onto mine, allowing him to rescue me. He feels that otherwise it would have been hard for him to continue living. Kevin is a noble man; he's taught me a lot about friendship and integrity.

Do you think it was your mental attitude that enabled you to survive out there?

For sure my mental attitude was the main resource I had. My physical condition was appalling and there was no food while experiencing the worst rainy season in a decade. It was against all odds that I survived. Nevertheless, I do not think my mental attitude was enough. I felt faith had a lot to do with it and perhaps even the intervention of some power. Certain events to me always seemed like miracles and this is the main reason I am alive.

How did you get involved in forest conservation and was it as a result of your experiences in the Amazon?

I went up the Tuichi river to visit the indigenous dwellers of San José – the only inhabitants of that region and those who were involved in saving both Kevin and myself. I just came to visit and give my thanks but one thing led to another and I found myself involved with them in an eco-tourism and sustainable development project that was unprecedented since there was no NGO was involved. We got financed directly by the IDB bank and built a model resort that continues to operate successfully to this very day. The website is www.chalalan.com.

Do you have any advice for anyone who would like to explore the Amazon rainforests for themselves?

One goes exploring the uncharted to look for the unknown within oneself – remember that when you venture off. Life in the wilderness is real for nature is real; observe this and realize you are part of this world and not a visitor in it.

Interview with Kevin Gale

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