A lot has happened since my last blog, so let me catch you up. On Sunday, May 17th, we woke up bright and early and brought the backpacks we had packed the night before, filled with enough clothes for two days, to the meeting house. After breakfast together, we boarded a bus for a two-hour drive into Waorani territory. The moment we crossed the barrier into the Amazon, I lost all phone service. Honestly, it felt incredibly freeing to disconnect from social media and just be present.
Once we arrived in the rainforest, we unloaded our gear and carried it to the canoes waiting along the shore. We were greeted by members of the Waorani tribe, who would serve as our canoe guides and take us deeper into the forest to their home along the river. Each canoe held six people plus luggage, so balancing the weight was important to keep the canoe stable. It was tricky at first, but we eventually figured it out. We lucked out with perfect weather for the ride: cloudy enough to stay cool, but without rain. A six-hour canoe ride sounds intense, but it could have been far worse. Halfway through, we stopped for lunch and ate delicious tuna sandwiches prepared by the lodge staff, who seriously make some of the best food.
By the time we reached the Waorani house, it was dark. We unloaded the canoes and hauled our gear up a steep hill to the house. Thanks to favorable weather and river currents, the trip only took about five hours. Once we found our rooms, which housed four people each with a shared bathroom, we immediately crashed. This was the most immersed in nature I had been since my Outward Bound girls leadership expedition the summer after sophomore year of high school. There were bugs everywhere, including species I had never seen before, but I adjusted surprisingly quickly. It was their environment, and I knew there was no point freaking out if one wandered into my room at night.
The next morning, (Monday, May 18th), our only full day there began at 6 a.m. with the sound of breakfast being prepared by the Waorani women, who made some of the most incredible meals. We ate oatmeal, fruit, and coffee before climbing back into the canoes and heading deeper into the forest. There, we explored towering trees and swung from vines like something straight out of Tarzan. Tribe members shared stories in the Waorani language while Ellie translated for us. We learned how the giant trees protect their gardens and play an essential role in their food supply.
After the hike, we went fishing. My canoe was not very successful; we caught only one catfish while another group somehow reeled in around twenty. They definitely stole all the luck.
Back at the house, we had pasta with steak for lunch, which was amazing. During some free time afterward, Skip gave us a quick drone-flying lesson. One young boy from the tribe became fascinated with both the drone and the gold bracelet I was wearing. We ended up trading: my bracelet for his silver chain necklace. It felt like a fair trade, especially because it made him so happy. We sealed it with a handshake. Although he only spoke Spanish and Waorani, and my Spanish is limited, we still managed to communicate and understand each other. I spent some time coloring with him before we climbed back into the canoes and headed to another part of their land.
There, we spotted small monkeys swinging through the trees and participated in a naming ceremony where each of us received a Waorani name based on our personalities and first impressions. Mine was Apaika, meaning “moon” or “bringing light into dark spaces.” I thought it fit me perfectly, especially since I am such a night owl.
After the ceremony, we practiced throwing spears at targets. I was terrible at it, but the Waorani tribe president, who is only 17 years old, gave me a great demonstration. Then came soccer. We played three games on the field they had built, and although my team was awful, it was such a fun and meaningful experience. It was amazing to see how sports can connect people across completely different cultures.
When it started raining, the grass field became dangerously slippery, especially since we were all barefoot. After several people slipped and got hurt, we decided to cool off by swimming in the river instead. Swimming in the Amazon River while rain poured around us felt surreal. We played tag, had chicken-fighting competitions, and laughed nonstop. I can confidently say our group dominated the Waorani at chicken fighting.
That evening, we returned to the main house for dinner. The canoe ride back was a little nerve-racking because of the heavy rain, but everyone made it safely. For dinner, we ate the catfish caught earlier that day along with soup and salad. Later that night, we traveled by canoe once again to exchange pieces of our cultures with one another.
The Waorani performed traditional dances in their cultural clothing and shared heartfelt speeches about how much they enjoyed hosting us. In return, we introduced them to a bit of American culture by singing and dancing to “Party in the USA” and performing “Sweet Caroline,” which is Pitt’s school song. It was such a genuine and unforgettable moment. Afterward, we had the chance to buy handmade woven goods. I bought a beautiful bracelet that I will cherish forever.
Riding back to the house in complete darkness was incredible. I was amazed by how confidently the Waorani navigated the river without any light at all.
Once we got back, we showered and immediately went to sleep after such a packed day. The next morning, it was time to say goodbye. The canoe ride back to the bus stop took longer because we were traveling against the current, about six hours total, but once again, we were lucky with cool, misty weather. We stopped for lunch halfway through, and before I knew it, we were back on the bus heading to the lodge.
Living in a completely unfamiliar environment and experiencing a new culture so personally was unforgettable. I loved connecting with the Waorani, learning about their beliefs and way of life, and stepping far outside my comfort zone. I tried so many new things and improved my Spanish so much along the way.
