I had the wonderful privilege of joining a group of young guests yesterday on their outing a four hour hike and educational experience in the rainforest and then a two hour kayaking trip downriver and into lagoons back to the lodge.
It all started because there was a "minga" or community gathering to build a house in a nearby community, so many of the employees from the lodge were gone from 6 am onward to go lend a hand... meaning many of my students were out of pocket for the day. So, then one of my friends and a guide here, asked me if I would like to join his group cause it was three youngs guys and they were going to be able to do a more adventurous fun hike and kayaking trip... I of course jumped at the chance and asked permission to rearrange my remaining classes.
It was such a great day. After class with the guides I started helping the guides move the kayaks, then we were off... a 30 min. motorized canoe ride to an old Achuar trail in the jungle... where we walked, climbed over trunks, hacked our way through (thanks to one of my students with a machette) many a rough patches, over streams and mud patches one by one across logs. I pushed my student to use his English (he is a brand new student and SUPER bright and fun)... which was a great experience, getting to see him in action. I got to learn about all the medicinal plants that I've been hearing about and even tried this one called Ortiga that makes your skin have a reaction that's used to punish children or treat muscle pain (none of the other guys would give it a try)! We drank rain water from bamboo tubes, used a vine for "perfume" or "deodorant," and then gran finale... MOONDEESH. Again something I'd been hearing about since I arrived, how everyone, the Achuar especially, eat these grubworms found in the forest because they're full of protein. So, yesterday it was my turn. I did it! Not a single other guest was man enough to do it, but the two guides and I bit the heads right off, chewed and swallowed! Of all the things I've eaten in my travels, never have I ventured into the world of squirmy live grubworm larva thingys... while it wasn't terrible, can't say it was my favorite either!
At any rate, I feel fortunate that I was able to join the group and it was a great day... finished off with a nice swim in the river!
Here's some pics to make you laugh! :) Kate
It all started because there was a "minga" or community gathering to build a house in a nearby community, so many of the employees from the lodge were gone from 6 am onward to go lend a hand... meaning many of my students were out of pocket for the day. So, then one of my friends and a guide here, asked me if I would like to join his group cause it was three youngs guys and they were going to be able to do a more adventurous fun hike and kayaking trip... I of course jumped at the chance and asked permission to rearrange my remaining classes.
It was such a great day. After class with the guides I started helping the guides move the kayaks, then we were off... a 30 min. motorized canoe ride to an old Achuar trail in the jungle... where we walked, climbed over trunks, hacked our way through (thanks to one of my students with a machette) many a rough patches, over streams and mud patches one by one across logs. I pushed my student to use his English (he is a brand new student and SUPER bright and fun)... which was a great experience, getting to see him in action. I got to learn about all the medicinal plants that I've been hearing about and even tried this one called Ortiga that makes your skin have a reaction that's used to punish children or treat muscle pain (none of the other guys would give it a try)! We drank rain water from bamboo tubes, used a vine for "perfume" or "deodorant," and then gran finale... MOONDEESH. Again something I'd been hearing about since I arrived, how everyone, the Achuar especially, eat these grubworms found in the forest because they're full of protein. So, yesterday it was my turn. I did it! Not a single other guest was man enough to do it, but the two guides and I bit the heads right off, chewed and swallowed! Of all the things I've eaten in my travels, never have I ventured into the world of squirmy live grubworm larva thingys... while it wasn't terrible, can't say it was my favorite either!
At any rate, I feel fortunate that I was able to join the group and it was a great day... finished off with a nice swim in the river!
Here's some pics to make you laugh! :) Kate
love these pictures!! i can't believe you ate a worm! ---- wait, actually, I can.
ReplyDeleteGREAT PICS! I love it. Not sure I could do it. Whose kid are you anyway?
ReplyDeleteKatie, I know Eric would have ate the larvae worms, especially for extra protein. I can remember when he ate these huge tree worms at fifth grade camp and they made his tongue numb.
ReplyDeleteGMa said "I don't beleve you Katie it's something else, but Aunt Lynn says it would be fun to try MoonDeesh!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know... a little crazy, right? But all in the name of experiences and "when in Rome..." Btw, anybody COULD do it-it's just a matter of who DOES do it! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the last pic! HAHAHA
ReplyDeleteSi la cara lo dice todo... Fueron desagradables!!!!! I know because i tried the young one hahahahha!!! But I promise next time I will give you a more tasty one...
ReplyDelete