Bienvenidos a Iquitos! Our group of students arrived today, a bit jet-lagged, but excited. After a necessary nap, students and staff laughed and chatted over lunch at a local bistro. We took a short stroll to the Amazon flood plain, near our hotel, before retiring for another siesta; we want our group well rested for the next couple weeks of exciting activities! Local and international staff look forward to sharing this beautiful country and culture with these amazing students!
After breakfast, our day started with a brief stroll to one of the historical European-style buildings for a tour. Then we headed down the street to the Belen Market, which was referred to as the “black market”. I doubt there were any drugs there though– just a handful of illegal animals such as cayman and tortoises used for their meat, skin, and shells.
Next we hopped on a bus to the much anticipated manatee rescue center. In addition to manatees, there were also many other exotic animals such as cappucin monkeys, sloths, and baby pythons. The day ended with lunch, some free time on the promenade, then dinner.
-Zoe
July 21
After packing our luggage, the group took a boat ride down the amazon river. We made a side trip fundo piedrito, consisting of scenic lookouts and playful animals. Watching the paiches splash through the water was definietly a highlight of the trip. We contunued down the river, waving at smiling families on the shore along the way. Once we arrived at Indiana the motocarros drove us across the town. With one last boat ride, we got to home base. The local youth greeted us and we had the chance to work on our Spanish, and them on their English. The hike to our tambos had the students in awe the entire way. Vivid greenery and noises accompanying the rainforest captured our attention. The day ended with us playing volleyball with the kids, exploring trails, and answering questions we pooled as a group. The personal favorite of the group was sharing what all of our best friends are like. Hearing Luis speak so kindly of his best friend Walter enlightened us all and left us with smiles on our faces.
By Madison
July 22, 2017
Today is the second day in the Amazon. After breakfast we went to a school that was built inside of the Amazon. The school is not big, there are only 6 classrooms and many students decide to stay in Iquitos after high school. There are 5 private colleges and 1 public university. After the the introduction of the Peruvian school system we went to the common room for community service. Even though we did not finsh painting the handrail, we still feel satisfied.
By Amy
July 23
We started the day with breakfast at 7:30, preparing ourselves for the following activities and meeting in the common area at 9 for the departure. Luis lead us through a new trail consisting of uphills and narrow walkways aligned with the rugged Amazonian jungle. A path that eventually opened to a medicinal farm, in which we were welcomed by the healer himself, Abram, who gave us a tour throughout the surrounding jungle, giving vocal and occasionally physical examples to the miracles of natural remedies the land offers. From cutting off a vine holding water so heavily purified, locals use it to clean their kidneys to a paste supporting a healthy prostate. Afterwards, we were introduced to a hallucinogenic root that plays a big part in the Amazons history. The process of harvesting and preparing the root in to a beverage for the ritual is simple yet time consuming and requires a vast knowledge of the tree. Ayauasca offers many unconventional, partly spiritual benefits that some travel from across the world to experience. With an exclusion to the drink itself, Abram preformed a basic practice on each of us offering healing, attraction, charm and protection dependent on what he sensed we needed.
The rest of the afternoon was our own, and we each took part in a variety of available activities, it was a somewhat lazy but thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
The same night we were given the opportunity to explore the jungle at night, spotting whatever nocturnal creatures came within sight. Besides a moth trying to tackle me, it was an incredible experience that gave me a deeper connection to the mystics of the Amazon.
By Kai
Eating sugar cane
July 24
Today was a full day, but with much less hiking. After an amazing breakfast of french toast, we hiked out to paint more at the school. Although we didn’t finish, we got a lot done. After we went back to Don’s house to eat, followed by the raft building and race. Both rafts were crafted well and stayed together during the race, unlike the 50% of rafts that fell apart, according to Don. We then hiked back in our first rain shower. Free time consisted of reading, cards and social time. After was a dinner of chicken of and fried banana.
By Ian
July 25
Today we returned to the local school to paint it. Some of the local kids accompanied us and together we finished all of the painting. The room will become their dining hall. While walking through the Amazon jungle we spotted some monkeys, and at the school we saw an anaconda. Later, we went fishing for piranha in the Amazon River. A few of us actually managed to catch some and we ate the biggest two for dinner.
By Max
July 26
Today we woke up an hour earlier to catch the school’s Independence Day parade. We, including Luis, participated in the march as well except we didn’t get to practice beforehand. Nonetheless, it was a great opportunity for embarrassing photos of us and cuter photos of the
pre-K chicitos in their traditional Peruvian costumes.
After trekking back to home base and having lunch, we all gave each other “colorful” tattoos with the ink from a local fruit called huito. Huito is also used by some Amazonian tribes to distinguish themselves from others. The evening ended with dinner at camp and
followed with a dance battle.
By Zoe
July 27
Today we took a day trip to Mazan. Many of us tried a variety of new foods such as dry tapioca, wild grapes and sugar cane. The owner of a local bakery allowed us to tour the room where the cookies are made! The task we had to complete while in Mazan was a scavenger hunt that required us to interact with people who live there and learn about the area. We then took a relaxing boat ride back to Don’s house to work on a reforestation project. About 40 trees were planted and 30 seeds were prepped so they can sprout. Overall the day was very fun and rewarding.
By Madi
July 28
Today we hosted a community barbeque, along with the planning beforehand and lots of rest. Collectively, we expected only a couple of people, but we recieved a pleasant surprise when a much larger crowd showed up. We spent a good amount of time doing outdoor activities with the kids, along with eating and coloring inside. After was rest and clean up, where we spent most of it talking and washing up. Today was a very socially oriented day, where we were able to build relationships with the nearby community.
By Ian
July 29
Today we had a comfortable, easy morning in preparation for the eventual night hike. Raul shared with us a short cooking demostration of traditional Amazon-Peruvian lunch packs, in which locals wrap their later meals tightly in a a leaf similiar to banana leaves (that become flexible underneath fire), a presentaion that would become our dinner for the overnight. Sharing an early lunch at 12, instead of the routine 1 PM, we took off for a slow pace hike on a new trail to the designated camping area. Once we arrived we snuggled in the big tent and traded ghost stories (if you dont believe in ghosts goodbye. Stop reading. Stop.) And went to bed semi early in a fit of exhaustion, voluntarily accepting the future back problems in light of friendship and experience. We left at like 630 the next morning. V cool.
By Kai
July 30
Today is the last day in the Amazon. This trip has changed me a lot. I remember when I was in the airport I cried because I didn’t want to come to peru, however, I am really thankful to the people around me for changing my perspective on this trip.
By Amy
July 31st
We started the day with a 6:30 am hike to the river, where students were greeted by local kids waiting to say their final goodbyes. Students enjoyed the last boat ride on the river, the last mototaxi ride. We made a quick stop at Isla de Los Monos, playing with some rehabilitated wooly monkeys. A trip to an artisan market was followed by our final goodbye dinner. What an action-packed day in Iquitos to close up our time together!
Staff wants to thank this wonderful group for all they shared with us and the local community. We will miss Ian’s sense of humor; Max’s dancing; Amy’s curiosity; Zoe’s kindness; Kai’s compassion and Madi’s sweetness. We wish you all the best on your journeys. Hasta luego!
By Staff
