What a crazy few days it has been! We started with an over 6 hour canoe ride on the muddy floor into the Waorani Nation, staying at another property of Todd’s. It was so hot and dirty, but definitely an experience! We finally go there just to see (or not really see) that there was no electricity and MINIMAL water. Aside from that, the sleep that night was great!

We woke up at 6:30AM the next day (crazy, I know!), and I got a Waorani name: Weeña, which means “aunt”. We then went out to walk through part of the Amazon, swinging on vines across a river. I REALLY felt like a monkey, it was so much fine. Soon after, we ventured to a Waorani community, where we blew blow darts and threw spears. My blow dart hit the target, but my spear throw was pretty far off! I think my favorite part of this day was playing soccer with the community. It was so competitive, yet so friendly, I feel like we were really brought together through the game. Later once it was dark, we canoed back yet again. It was SO beautiful, I can’t stress that enough. The stars were incredible and bright; I’ve never seen anything like it. We got to see them give us a traditional welcome dance, and then even join in ourselves. Singing Taylor Swift for them was definitely a highlight.

The next day, it was time to go. I wouldn’t say I had too much fun on the canoe! It was down pouring the ENTIRE time. Rick and Skip are really right when they say “flexibillity” is such an important thing!