Amazon Continued

     Ok,   so on the second day of the Amazon river boat extravaganza we started out with a hike through the Rainforest.  We hiked with two guides who were born to tribes in the jungle and the man who owned the land we were hiking on who also knew everything that the forest could do.  They showed us how to make rope out of palm leaves and use them to climb up the trees to get the fruit at the top.  we saw them point out poisonous plants, and right next to them something that could cure it.  Every plant there had a purpose, they used everything they could to help them survive.  Including a large tree that was hollow on the inside and they would hit it with a stick and it would resonate for a mile in the jungle to help you find your hunting party, or to alert a nearby tribe that you were passing through.   As we were walking they would grab these palm leaves that were like plastic and make crowns or little animals, one kid got a pipe and there were more than enough whistles.  We licked the gum of a gum tree and ate quinine, which was incredible strong.  They also made some of the local wildlife angry to show them to us.  They gathered us around a tree, and then scraped the tree with a knife.  soon after hundreds of bullet ants, about the length of a quarter (none of my estimates are exaggerations, seriously) came running up the tree.  These ants are called bullet ants for a reason, and when they bit you it feels like you have been shot, and it does not go away for three days.  Everyone was more than happy to get far from that tree. We then took turns screaming into a large nest like object on a tree, and millions of tiny little ants ran out and made the nest look like it was vibrating.  It was explained that hunters use them to mask their sent so we put our hands against the vibrating mass and thousands of ants would instantly bury your hand.  Then before they could get up your arm you smashed them all and rubbed them into your skin, which created a pleasant and natural odor.  Luckily I didn't miss any, but there were plenty of people still finding little ants hours later. The jungle this time was even better than the first time.  Tiny paths that you could barely fit through, the sounds of tropical birds and a few monkey calls that made it feel so far from reality and created an environment that definitely felt like humans shouldn't be there.  They made torches from flammable tree sap and showed us how the natives would make an early form of gun powder that they would use to kill fish.  On our way out of the jungle we got lost and ended up by a swamp.  we hung out there for a bit trying to figure out where our canoes were, all the local people do not get each others attention by calling their name they make animal sounds.  The same for trying to get the boats to us, little screeches and hoots.  We finally walked another half a mile to another area where t he boats found us, and when I asked how they finally got the captains attention the guide just pulled out his cell phone.  We were so far from civilization, but you can not get away from modern life.  

What happened next was probably my favorite time of the voyage as of February 8th at 15:49, I have to be specific because every second provides an opportunity to surpass my wildest expectations.  We went to a small village that does not get many tourists or visitors, just Semester at Sea once a year.  This is a village of about 200 people living mostly from fishing and small farms.  It was such an amazing  time.  First I interviewed the elder of the village, he was only 67 and already the elder, he talked about spirits of the forest and how respect and moderation is how one survives the difficulties of the jungle.  Just as we finished it started to down pour, a real rainforest storm.  This is a normal part of life in the wet season and it did not stop anyone from playing soccer or walking around.  I ended up playing for hours with the little kids of the village.  We couldn't say anything to each other but that didn't seem to matter.  Me and three other SAS kids just ran around in the rain with them.  We played tag and then invented a game where they would get on our backs and we would run after each other and tickle each other as soon as we could while screaming "Attack" in Portuguese.  Then we swung them around and around making their feet leave the ground and they would fight over who was next.  I chased bikes and learned to count and tickled and was tickled more than ever before.  The smiles and the laughter never stopped and it was amazing to be with these kids and have such a great time and understand each other so well even though we could not speak.  It was an unbelievable experience.  Then we had to leave, muddy and sweaty and tired we had to just go, I wish I could have spent days there.  As we left the kids asked us when we were coming back.  It was hard to say that I didn't really know when, but I said someday in the future I would visit.  And I will, there is no way that I could not go back to this small village that opened its doors so readily for us. 

It was odd to go from this back into the boat and then they took us to a surprise Luau on this secluded beach with music and food and dancing and games.  It was a really fun party but it felt odd, we were just playing with kids who's houses, up on stilts, were missing roofs and had floors with holes that dropped to the water below.  To go from this to a beach party just brought up a lot of thoughts about what it was I was doing and it reminded me that this adventure was for us, which I didn't like.  So in the future I want my excursions to be about the people who I meet and getting to know them and what life is for them, and not just stopping in, playing for a few hours and then leaving to go to more comfortable settings.  

On the last day I swam with the dolphins again in the same location, just as cool.  Then we went to a mans home and saw what life was like in the jungle.  He had 15 kids all with the same wife.  And they showed us how to process manioc, which has cyanide in it, but edible after cooking.  We learned about the medical plants they use and the crops that he has including cocoa and Acai berries.  It was such a cool time.

     I will never forget my time in the Amazon and I will never forget my experiences.  They say that people may forget what you say but they will never forget how you made them feel.   I know that I will always remember how blessed and joyful the people of the Amazon made me feel, and I hope that my presence was able to do that for them.  Take care.