Day 7: Jungle Safari, Survival Tactics and the Yachana Vegetable Garden

January 10, 2011

“What you do speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you say.” 

                                                                                       --Ralph Waldo Emerson

By: Michael Cho

Today we spent our entire morning learning more about the amazon rainforest. We began with bird-watching followed by a hike in the forest where we learned some methods of “surviving” should any of us be lost in a lush jungle like the Amazon. Cruising through the Yachana Reserve in a “Chiva Ranchero” (a sort of two-tiered school bus), we enjoyed a fantastic view of the rainforest as nature resounded in our ears.

The group boarding the Chiva Ranchero for another jungle adventure.

On top of the Chiva Ranchero.

Look at that!  Aashish, Nick, and Michael checking out a bird.

Aashish and Nick enjoying the wildlife.

Lillian and Celine smiling for the camera next to the Chiva Ranchero.

A walking palm tree... yes, it really walks by following the sun using it's stilt root system.

A little frog we found on our hike!

Robert taught us how to make a basket out of palm leaves.

A wooden canoe along the Napo River.

Michael and Robert on look-out during our canoe ride.

Guava fruit of Ecuador.

We all enjoyed Guava fruit from the tree next the road.

Robert painting Caitlin's face with ink from a Achotillo tree.

Inking up the stick with the natural pulp of the Achotillo tree.

Jaimie showing off her warrior paint.

Robert instructs Celine on the mechanics of the vine swinging.

Michael playing on the vine.

After our morning adventure, we enjoyed a lunch of fish steamed in plantain leaves and fresh vegetables. Our afternoon was spent pulling weeds in the vegetable gardens of Yachana. Even through a downpour we continued to work, singing and dancing to various hip-hop artists. Yes, we’re having too much fun here. Then we spent the rest of our afternoon in another soccer scrimmage with Yachana students.

Michael carrying plantains up to the school.

Regina, Jaimie, Robert and Caitlin pulling weeds in the garden.

Michael, Zach, Damaris, Stephanie and Nick taking a break from pulling weeds.

The group pulling weeds in the garden.

Damaris, Lillian, Rithu, Celine and Aashish having fun in the rain.

Aashish and Zach soaked from the rain.

After a scrumptious dinner of pasta, more rolls and a chocolate flan, we enjoyed an alternative reflection playing charades based on our communication as a team, acting out highlights from our trip thus far. 

Another fantastic experience in the Amazon of Ecuador. We’re continuing to learn so much about rainforest culture as well as ourselves and we’re so blessed to be working together so well as a group as well as being able to immerse ourselves into Ecuadorian culture.