To start out our last day I packed up the rest of my things and got ready for breakfast. I was really hoping they would make the breakfast tamales again for our last meal there because they were so good but unfortunately, they didn’t. The meal they made however was almost just as good (close but you can’t beat the tamales.) they made this fried dough that was almost like a mix between a pancake and a funnel cake. I also had oatmeal, fruit, coffee, and juice. The dough was really good with their blackberry jam and pineapple jam. I also added brown sugar to the oatmeal which was really good. After breakfast we had a little bit of time before our next event so a few of us sat around the fire pit. Eli was using this liquid she made to stain people’s faces and bodies at the ceremony last night and she had some left over, so she offered it to us. Malini, Nora, Leah, and I decided to write the names the Waorani gave us on ourselves. Mine was Apoke so I wrote it down my ankle.
After that we had a talk with Eli sharing our ideas and thoughts about her starting a chocolate boutique at the lodge. We all shared ideas about marketing and design but also sustainability and having a portion of profits set aside to help efforts to stop gold mining, deforestation, and other issues damaging the environment. We were originally supposed to leave the lodge at 10-11 I think but during the night there were multiple mud slides and our bus never showed up. We finally got another bus and at one point they said it would be there in twenty minutes, but it wasn’t for another hour and fifteen minutes until it arrived. We also had to share a bus with the other group of students at the lodge which wasn’t the original plan. We didn’t leave until 2:30 ish so all the stops we had planned along the way were not able to be done. We were supposed to go to a place to hand feed hummingbirds, get lunch, and maybe see some special forest. I was really bummed about not being able to feed the hummingbirds specifically, but things happen. We did have time to stop for snacks though and I got a few things. Some people walked across the street and got empanadas or meat on a stick as well.
Since there were mudslides, we were supposed to take a longer route around the mountains but as we were driving the roads opened up which was really convenient. When we finally got to the airport, we were actually early so we had to wait around for a few hours before checking in and going through security. The rest of the day and next morning was just full of going through more security, customs, and three different plane rides, so I’ll spare you the details. As I’m writing this, we had just taken off from our flight from Charolette to Pittsburgh and I can say I’ve never been more excited to do my laundry. As soon as I get home, I’m starting my laundry, showing, eating dinner, and going immediately to bed.
I also just wanted to say how thankful I am to have been able to participate in a program as amazing as this one. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wouldn’t be here without the generous scholarship from the Kenneth R. Woodcock Fund and their donors. It was the perfect trip abroad and I learned so much about chocolate, culture, the environment, and so much more. This trip will ultimately stick with me forever and has affected me in ways I can’t put into words. It truly has changed my perspective on life, and I can’t wait to travel more and learn more about the world. I really want to spend a semester in Sydney next spring so hopefully you will hear from me again while I’m there. Adios for now!