These past two days have been extremely eventful. We ended our travels in Quito, and took a bus ride into the Amazon rainforest. Our first experience in the Amazon was amazing. We hiked the Sendero Jumandy observation area. We saw many exotic plants, some animals and heard many more. We had to climb over fallen trees, carefully maneuver muddy slopes, and avoid falling off cliffs. After hiking for around an hour we went back to where our bus was parked. In the parking area there was a family who had set up an empanada stand. We all ordered empanadas, coffee, and drinks and took in the sites. While eating we watched car after car and truck after truck of amazed Ecuadorians watching us “14 gringos” (a term of endearment for white people in Ecuador). They showered us with waves, honks and tons of laughter. Upon finishing our delicious empanadas we continued our journey to the Andes and Amazon Field School.

Upon our arrival at the Field School we were treated to a delicious dinner and a fabulous campfire. Our first day here at the Field School was simply extraordinary. We awoke to a strong rain storm showering us. This storm ran rivers high and threatened the days plans of walking along a river in the Napo Province by the field school. Following breakfast, made by the family of the Andes and Amazon Field School, the rain quit and we were able to take our river and rain forest hike. We loaded into a bus to drive to the river. We were accompanied by two guides on our hike, Jefferson and Brian (the nephews of the Field School’s owner Todd Swanson). Due to the rain, the river had swelled in size and in strength. It was unlike anything any of us had ever seen. We had to scale rocky walls, walk along steep drops, wade into water that went up to our necks, and swim for our lives in the strong current. This experience was simply amazing. It allowed all of us to come together, laugh, and look out for each other. We often were helping pull each other up cliffs, make sure we weren’t being swept away, and giving each other pointers on how to navigate the terrain. By walking thourgh the river and forging our own path through the rainforest, thanks to our guide Jefferson’s skills with a machete, we were able to see the beauty and elegance of the Amazon rainforest in a way few people are able to.

Following our Tarzan adventure, we were greeted by the Kallari Organization. We were told their history and able to taste some of their chocolate products. Kallari is an organization that is operated by the Kichwa community. Unlike most chocolate companies in Ecuador, the cacao farmers hold all of the power here. Although made up of the entire Kichwa community, until a few years ago, only the farmers were paid for their efforts. Kallari is a company made up of around 850 families with around 90% of their workers being indigenous to Ecuador. This company has struggled building markets in the world originally being an artisan organization they have since switched to chocolates and continue to expand into new markets such as vanilla production and guayusa cultivation. This company is also trying to create their own Ecuadorian stamp of approval to replace the expensive FDA requirements, Fair Trade approval, and organic labels needed to sell their products around the world. This company continues to fight everyday to make some of the best chocolate in the world. It is simply amazing how a community so small can build such a successful company creating some of the world’s finest chocolate. It simply shows the strength, resilience, and culture that Ecuadorian indigenous communities hold.