Ok, so this is probably the most cliche title in the world for this blog entry but I am using it because even though I don't even like the classic Guns & Roses tune, it kept running through my head while deep in the jungle of Equador. The Secret Garden, where I was working, has a jungle trek that was highly recommended by lots of the guests so once I was done work, Jules, Julie, Duncan (Scottish), Tom (English), Tristan (Dutch), Demetrius (Greek) and I headed to Tena to spend 4 days in the jungle. There were also 2 girls from a local paper writing a review of the trip, Hannah and Kathleen who came along. So all of us will have our 5 minutes of fame when the article publishes.
We arrived in Tena and were greeted by our guide Rene, who treated us to a lunch of chicken feet soup and steak with rice both of which I ate! For all those who know about my pickiness, especially concerning meat, I know you are proud! After getting fitted for our rubber wellies we all jumped in a pick-up truck and headed to the entrance to the jungle. After a 30 min hike, we arrived at the campsite and instantly were bombarded with adorable Equadorian children. They all wanted us to take their photos and then instantly wanted to see this pics. They could have done this for hours.
We hail from the white tribe. This was our
cabana where we slept.
They couldn't get enough of the photos.
Me and the cute Equadorian kids.
Demetrius was more interested in his ciggys!
Tom and Duncan chillin in our cabana.
My bed in the cabana.
The next day, the Shaman took us on a tour of his front yard which to the blind eye would look like nothing more than a lot of green plants, but it was amazing all the useful things that lay in his front yard.
Harvesting yuca, a staple vegetable
in Equadorian cuisine.
Cocoa plant, which we later roasted to make
chocolate. The outside of the bean is tasty!
The Shaman shaved this long reed
down to the fibrous center and the
end product is used to make rope,belts, etc.
There were also some very large grasshoppers.
After our little tour of the yard, we pulled on our boots, grabbed our gear and headed into the thick of the jungle. Being in the jungle with the Shaman and his sons was an eye opening experience. He showed us many types of plants which were used for everyday things that we just go to the drugstore and buy without a second thought. There was a tree which excreted a glue-like substance, fruits which were used to make whistles to communicate, palms which produce palm hearts, cinnamon, lemongrass, yuca and many other things. He also showed us how the natives set up traps to kill animals for meat. The range of knowledge that the Shaman possessed (along with his machete skills!) were quite impressive.
Getting friendly with some jungle flora!
Javier got kissy faced too.
After we got a bit further into the jungle, it was time to really play the part. The guides transformed us into true Amazonian tribesman (and women). :) We wove headbands out of palm leaves and were given headdresses and painted with tribal symbols so we would really fit in. It was really fun and got everyone in a playful mood.
We used these palms to weave ourheadbands.
Hard at work!
Hannah and I. Hannah was writing the story on
Jules and I pre war paint.
The crew.
Undergoing my transformation.
Our jungle face paint.
Eating lemon flavored ants. It´s a jungle thing,you wouldn´t understand.
An interesting tree...
Our hike ended in a cave where we spent the
night sleeping in hammocks.
Some of us had a hard time in the jungle...
The girls loved my alarm clock
with all the different rings.
Craft time!
Jules and I hiking out of the jungle.
By the last day, it was pouring down rain on
our way to the animal refuge. I think we were
a little sick of the jungle by this time.
Monkeys hanging out at the animal refuge.
The jungle trip in Tena was one of the highlights of my trip. It was so much fun and really made you realize how many people rely on it for survival. I am currently in Colombia but this post has worn me out! So I will post more pics later. I am currently in San Gil and headed to Bogota tomorrow to meet up with our friend David that we met in Buenos Aires. Should be fun!
We arrived in Tena and were greeted by our guide Rene, who treated us to a lunch of chicken feet soup and steak with rice both of which I ate! For all those who know about my pickiness, especially concerning meat, I know you are proud! After getting fitted for our rubber wellies we all jumped in a pick-up truck and headed to the entrance to the jungle. After a 30 min hike, we arrived at the campsite and instantly were bombarded with adorable Equadorian children. They all wanted us to take their photos and then instantly wanted to see this pics. They could have done this for hours.
We hail from the white tribe. This was our
cabana where we slept.
They couldn't get enough of the photos.
Me and the cute Equadorian kids.
Demetrius was more interested in his ciggys!
That night, the Shaman who is basically the local medicine man in the jungle, held a ceremony with the local children to welcome us. It was pretty cute. All the kids got dressed up and bounced around and then of course we joined in. They were all so welcoming and kind to us.
Getting jiggy in the jungle.
The children welcoming us.
The Shaman then went on to explain the way a Shaman becomes one which involves years of sobreity, celebacy and concentration. He learned the trade from his father and was very proud to tell us that he helped his wife give birth with some natural medicine that he prescribed.
This ritual was done to cleanse me
of any bad spirits which are believed
be the cause of many sicknesses
Getting jiggy in the jungle.
The children welcoming us.
The Shaman then went on to explain the way a Shaman becomes one which involves years of sobreity, celebacy and concentration. He learned the trade from his father and was very proud to tell us that he helped his wife give birth with some natural medicine that he prescribed.
This ritual was done to cleanse me
of any bad spirits which are believed
Tom and Duncan chillin in our cabana.
My bed in the cabana.
The next day, the Shaman took us on a tour of his front yard which to the blind eye would look like nothing more than a lot of green plants, but it was amazing all the useful things that lay in his front yard.
Harvesting yuca, a staple vegetable
in Equadorian cuisine.
Cocoa plant, which we later roasted to make
chocolate. The outside of the bean is tasty!
The Shaman shaved this long reed
down to the fibrous center and the
end product is used to make rope,
There were also some very large grasshoppers.
Getting friendly with some jungle flora!
After we got a bit further into the jungle, it was time to really play the part. The guides transformed us into true Amazonian tribesman (and women). :) We wove headbands out of palm leaves and were given headdresses and painted with tribal symbols so we would really fit in. It was really fun and got everyone in a playful mood.
We used these palms to weave our
Hard at work!
the trip for a local Quito newspaper.
Undergoing my transformation.
Our jungle face paint.
Eating lemon flavored ants. It´s a jungle thing,
An interesting tree...
Duncan & I mucking about.
Giving the old boots a rest.
Our hike ended in a cave where we spent the
night sleeping in hammocks.
Some of us had a hard time in the jungle...
The girls loved my alarm clock
with all the different rings.
Craft time!
Jules and I hiking out of the jungle.
By the last day, it was pouring down rain on
our way to the animal refuge. I think we were
a little sick of the jungle by this time.
Monkeys hanging out at the animal refuge.
The jungle trip in Tena was one of the highlights of my trip. It was so much fun and really made you realize how many people rely on it for survival. I am currently in Colombia but this post has worn me out! So I will post more pics later. I am currently in San Gil and headed to Bogota tomorrow to meet up with our friend David that we met in Buenos Aires. Should be fun!
