Picture time!

I finally got some more pictures up... as I've been having a lot more "real" experiences in the communities with my now friends, I thought you might be interested in really seeing some of the things I've been up to here. Enjoy... cause I sure have! :)

The Pastaza river, a direct tributary to THE AMAZON RIVER, and my second most frequented river here. It's absolutely gorgeous... can't seem to capture it in a photo as of yet.

A typical scene when walking through the Achuar community... mind you this is during a school day and these little girls are walking to their garden instead of being in class, hmmmm....

The minga that I wrote about earlier... in a nearby community... the one where I, and all the guests, fly into. This is the "landing strip" and here are lodge employees digging drainage ditches along the edges.

Here I am with one of my student's daughters. He is Jose, his wife is Cristina (behind me in this pic) both 25 years old and this is Kayanuwa "Stone Woman" who just turned two years old. She got this dress for her birthday! We had a great time hanging out together since we were old friends by this point... I was even successful in putting her to sleep...bringing everyone peace! Oh, and this is a bucket of Chicha... I'm carrying... Cristina made it and we're going to serve it to the men who were working... after carrying it a good half a mile or more from her house.

Here's Yuri, one of my favorite canoe drivers... and a REALLY hard worker... contrary to what this picture would lead you to believe as he's taking a break from the super hot sun under the shade of a nice palm tree!

Another one of my students and the manager's assistant at the lodge, Kuji, with his son Bruce. Nope, not kidding... wish I was... he named his son after Bruce Lee. Go figure. BUT, it was great to get to see some of my guys with their kids... and Bruce was a GREAT three year old. We played soccer, helped carry tools, and served Chicha together all afternoon!

All four of these hardworking guys attend my classes as well. In fact, Jose, front and center with the leaf on his head for shade is one of my most promising students (the father of the family I mentioned above) and just got an offer to come study for three or four months in the States... I really hope it comes through.

Here's one of the other volunteers, she lives in the nearest community, and teaches at the high school (pictured behind her here... built by the nuns and the catholic church). Boots are always a must in the communities (in hand). This is a TOTALLY different post than mine, one I thought I might be in, and then thought I be a little jealous of, but surprisingly and somewhat strangely have come to LOVE my post here at the lodge.

One day I was invited to come help out with classes at the high school. Also to observe Lily teaching and help with some suggestions (since I'm supposedly the most well trained, experienced teacher here... hahaha, ya go ahead and laugh three years of teaching in the states counts for a lot here)!

We were teaching the students how to sell handicrafts or artesanian goods. It was a great hands on lesson that I plan on putting into practice before I leave!

At "recess" playing with some of the younger girls... who were fascinated by the camera! Aren't they gorgeous?!

Monday is typical dress day at the high school, an attempt to emphasize and encourage the importance of not losing their heritage and culture. It was to see all the kids respecting their native attire and studying so hard. Edwin is a sixth course student who is about to graduate. He is crazy smart, a great soccer player, a good English student, and has dreams much bigger than his small community!

Two of my favorite high school students, Napoleon and Margarita, working on riddles or literally translated "head breakers" :) We were doing trilingual riddles and tongue twisters, it got pretty confusing and pretty funny! They both participated in the first ever Achuar English Teacher training workshop when I first arrived and they are both on course to graduate in July as well.

Jorge, a great friend and guide here at the lodge. He was thrilled I was willing to try Wito or a semi permanent plant die. He painted a beautiful design on my face with so much patience and care that stayed for a little under two weeks.

Isabel, an amazing young woman from the community where we had the minga. She is also Kuji and Napoleon's sister. She is my age and as of last week became the first Achuar English teacher in her community! She's got a tough road ahead of her, but she is the friendliest, most helpful, outgoing person ever. This is her nephew (Napoleon's son) who I swear could be on a pampers commercial! Funny story, her mom (the little boy's grandmother) just had a trip into the city and took the baby with her... only thing is she forgot his shoes... and her own! Imagine stepping down off the little airplane and into the city without shoes! :) oops!

The boss man of the lodge (to whom I've become personal photographer assistant) invited me to attend a community meeting. He thought it would be a good idea for my presence to be felt and for me to see and understand the goings on and decision making process of the community. It was a LONG four hours almost completely in Achuar... but a great experience.

This is the perfect representation of how the women serve chicha to the men. Without stopping, one right after the other, holding the bowl as each man drinks. This was during a break in the meeting... as far as I could figure it was the equivilant of a Chicha timeout! :)

Here's the section where I was sitting... with all the women with their babies and pails of chicha! Some accepted my presence... some very clearly did not.

Here's Isabel, or Hiun, working on making a strainer for the Chicha out of a gord... or dried fruit shell of sorts (ingenious really)! You notice the die on her hands, ears, and neck? She had just died her hair with Wito, or the same plant made die that I had my face painted with. It supposedly makes your hair really healthy and shiny. Her hands etc. will remain died for at least a week or more!

When I joined a tourist on her hike, Simon found this jungle snail shell and "played" it for us. He was amazing... sounded just like a bullhorn... I wasn't so successful!

Ok, hope that this was a fun look into my life here. Miss y'all!

Until soon, KK