Amazon River and Rainforest – Part # 3 End

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We had reached the nearest point toward our camp via boat already, now we have to take a hike to the camp. We walked on a path, very narrow, almost brushing the plants that surround you. The guide trims the plants that have grown too close to the path with his “machete”, we’re walking mostly on dark mud. Rain forests are dark too because of the canopy formed by large trees, they cast shadows and where there are openings the sun rays look like beams of bright light cutting through the shadows.

After going across creeks with primitive bridges made of fallen trees and some banana patches we got to the camp. The camp consists of series of thatched huts connected by covered pathways, all these are built on high stilts, main concern here is the rain, when it rains it rains copiously! Very heavy downpours and you can see water running like a river under the huts. We had cots for sleeping with mosquito nettings over it and outhouses. Also a place to shower.

The heat and humidity is very intense and unless you’re very tired it’s hard to fall asleep. In the mornings we usually left with our guide to explore what’s the rainforest all about.

He showed us giant trees which are a habitat for a number of species of birds, insects, monkeys and you name it. One tree is like the world for many creatures.

Showed us holes in the mud where tarantulas the size of soup dishes live. If you just keep quiet and do not walk they start coming out, the biggest I’ve seen in my life! Butterflies of all shapes and colors and huge! Capybaras in ponds, snakes around tree branches, small alligators basking under the sun at the edge of ponds. Worms and weird insects all over. Large mud licks for birds and butterflies. Parrots are noisy and fly al over! One time I stepped on a rotten branch on the side of a path which broke in pieces with my weight. In seconds there were thousands of ants crawling all over! Some came to me and quickly crawled on my legs inside my pants and they bit me many times, I smashed them with my hands and our guide helped me smash them with the flat side of the machete. The ants were black and large and their bite was painful. After that day I tucked my pant’s legs to my socks. Later after the trip was over I had some of the bites infected for awhile and had marks for about a year. It was some experience! ( I’m glad they weren’t spiders! I hate spiders!)

It’s a whole different world of animals here. When the night comes it’s pitch black if you don’t have a flash light you would find in total darkness!. We had gas lamps in camp. In several points to make us more comfortable. Just don’t get too close to where is to lighted because flying insects will star clinging on you!

The day came when we went to visit the tribe village.

It’s amazing to see how contrasty our world is! We live in a sophisticated society with comfort and latest technology, stylish and vain. The world of modern humankind! However, here I see generations of people that still live like when men lived in caves. They mostly walk around and live nude, they have taking dress a bit since they have learned the way that “civilized people” live. Their village is a mixture of huts made their way and some other made from what they’ve learned from modern times using slats of wood. Either way they’re at total poverty line grade. They manage to live eating roots, banana, plantains, fruits, rice, fish, yucca, cacava, monkey,etc. They love to trade their trinkets like beads, arrows, blow guns etc. They will trade for what ever the visitors have to give them like food, sweets, gum, hats or money, etc. In general, their living conditions are precarious and riddled with health problems, mostly inherited form the “Outsiders” When the people from the old world got in touch with the people of the new world not only brought them new trades and knowledge… along brought disease and pestilence. This is the sad reality of these people. Many say that they’re the forgotten people, they are not considered much into our daily trivialities. Thousands of forgotten people, die every year in the world and we are not so concerned. They too count and could possibly become extinct!

“I wish more people will read this blog perhaps as my last futile attempt to bring some insight about this recurring problem. I’ve tried before to raise my voice but unfortunately not many people has the desire to listen.”

I’m sorry that this is not like the popular “Reality Shows” they show on TV. Must be a different kind of reality!

The End