Day 8 of our trip started with us leaving on a bus ride to the canoe stop after a nice hearty breakfast. The bus ride was 2 hours long, and it went from nice paved roads to rocky dirt roads, all with stunning views. After around 1 and a half hours, we entered Waorani territory, which is more than 2 million hectares. We stopped at a store before the long trip, and I got some vanilla crackers for the trip. We reached the canoe stop which was under a bridge, and after we packed all of our stuff onto our canoes, the very long stretch started to our new lodge. The boat ride to our lodge can be described in three words: sunshine, cramped, and vibrations. We were all squished into canoes in which we had very little space, and the vibrations from the big engine made sleeping nearly impossible, but worst of all was the sunshine, which beat down on us without any remorse. Thee were many positives too, not many can say they were on a canoe in the Amazon rainforest, the views were absolutely stunning, like something out of an old time movie or one of my old Tintin comic books. There was much wildlife to be found. I personally saw many turtles, a variety of birds, and even an iguana. The last three hours of the boat ride were painful to say the least, but eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, we arrived. After walking up a muddy hill with our stuff, we settled in our lodge, which had apparently been fitted with electricity last year, but there was no Wi-Fi or data, and we were in the middle of Ecuador’s Amazon. After dinner, it was a very nice sleep at our new home.

Day 9 of our trip started with an early morning breakfast and a special announcement from Professor Glenn. He said he would be taking our phones for the day, which stopped me from reading my online books, which led to me pulling out the Essential Guide to Ecuador and reading that for the day. We met the 18-year-old president of the tribe, who told us about himself. Todd’s daughter, Elizabeth, would be our tour guide today, and she showed us first off the vines of the rain forest. A Waorani hunter showed us how to climb the vines and do a monkey call. It was awe-inspiring to see this. We then went to see the sacred tree, which was massive, probably the biggest tree I have ever seen. While on the boat, a fish randomly jumped into our canoe, and we later made it for lunch. After lunch, some of my fellow students went out fishing while a few others stayed back to play mafia. Now it was time to meet the Waorani people, and we eventually met the elder of the tribe, who was there pre-contact. Some of them showed us how to throw spears, and we eventually played some football. It was a hard-fought game, but unfortunately, we lost 2-3. A quick wash in the warm river quickly got my spirits up, and after a quick encounter with a Tapir, it was time for some dinner and a rest. When we got back, we performed the Macarena, cup song, and cotton eye joe for the Waoran, and they performed a dance for us! One of them gave me a Waorani name, and they all gave us a special drink. It was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had the pleasure to be in and I will be sure to remember for as long as I live.

Day 10 of our trip started with rising early for breakfast and then hauling all of our stuff into the canoes getting ready to go back. i was worried for this trip since the water current was against us adding another 2 hours, there was a possibility of rain and I was separated from the rest of the students on the transport canoe. These were all unfounded since I was able to have a great conversation with Ellie, there was no rain and I even had plenty of space to sleep. The trip went by so fast that when we got to the end I couldn’t believe it. We were quickly on the bus but this surprisingly was longer than I expected but it was probably due to me not being able to sleep. When we arrived back at the lodge, it was a quick dinner and then finally some rest.

Day 11 of our trip was meant to be a work day but before we could do any work there was the matter of painting our ceramics. Unfortunetly my ceramic was not very good and my paint job was even worse but the experience was very fun. Now it was time to work on our presentation and commercial. I worked on the commercial with Christian and the presentation started to take shape with Alexa, Carter and Maggie. We also had the opportunity to head on a boat to a town down river where I had some excellent oreo donuts, still need an oreo milkshake though. I can’t wait for tomorrow but it is very sad that it will be my last – Rohan