The Amazon region of Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Over 3 million species of animals and over 2,500 tree species make the Amazon rainforest a “once in a lifetime” place to visit. Additionally, there is a wealth of ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants found there, which goes along with one of my program’s focuses of traditional medicine. Luckily, with the School of International Training, high value is placed on hands on learning experiences in the field.
A few weeks ago we spent seven days visiting two cities in the Amazon region. Though there were lots of bug bites, humidity, and untimely rainstorms, this excursion was easily my favorite part of the semester thus far.
We began our adventure with a five hour bus ride from Quito to a city called Tena in the Amazon. We stopped along the way to enjoy the beautiful view as we entered the Amazon rainforest region. Arriving in Tena we settled into our lodging at a nice lodge along a smaller river. We always have roommates, but this time it was almost as if we had seven! Three rooms with very thin walls made it so that we could hear each other breathe; our time here was a bonding experience. With limited wi-fi, a girl scout camp-esque cabin, and a flowing clean river, our favorite spot to hang out was on the edge of the water.
Our little cabin…it was an adventure in itself. 
A talking parrot who enjoyed the ledge of our cabin and laughed at us.
Beginning our activities, we took a trip to AMUPAKIN, a collective of indigenous Kichwa midwives who serve the entire Amazon region and work to preserve and pass down the knowledge of traditional medicine. Here they welcomed us with a formula of medicinal plants to protect against COVID-19 and gave us an introduction to the work that they do as parteras (midwives) and healers. They have helped to birth more than 1000 babies since their beginning in 1998. We learned about all different types of medicinal plants that they use on a garden tour with one of the parteras. We also had a traditional Kichwa lunch with them, which was delicious! I got to try cocotero, or grubs that are the larvae of the palm weevil. Surprisingly they tasted very salty and greasy kind of like bacon.
The welcome sign for AMUPAKIN. 
Our traditional lunch with the women of AMUPAKIN.
Our next adventure was a full day affair in the Chakra Don Clemente, the home of a traditional Kichwa shaman or healer and his family. We knew that this trip would consist of a hike to the nearby river, but we did not know that this hike would be down and back up a very steep mountain. Tromping through the jungle I observed the life around me: the variety of shades of green from the many plants and trees, the bugs like spiders and beetles crawling along the jungle floor, and the wear on the path we traveled, showing the meaning of this path to this indigenous family.
While the jungle was everything I imagined it to be, I was still in awe of the natural beauty I saw around me. Even though there was a lot of slipping and sliding due to the constant moisture on the jungle floor, the view of our trip was worth it: one of the most beautiful and chilly rivers that I’ve ever visited.
After we returned from our hike, we spent the day with the family of Don Clemente in slow moments as we waited out a thunderstorm eating sugarcane and Amazonian pineapple. We heard from Roger, the son of Don Clemente, who is a shaman, and how he works in this community as a healer. Finally, we shared a meal with the family and enjoyed another traditional Kichwa meal; this time I tried fried giant ants! This day was such a beautiful experience to disconnect with technology and connect with nature.
El río Hollín was so beautiful! 
A quick stop for a picture as we hiked through the jungle to the river.
One of the most beautiful views of the trip was near the city of Puyo in the Amazon. Watching the sunset at the Mirador Indichuris was breathtaking. As the sun disappeared behind the mountains the landscape was illuminated with colors of pink, gold, and the purple of the start of night. To spend this time in the company of my classmates, now new friends, and take in the view is something that I will always remember.
I did a cautious handstand on the boardwalk in front of the view…looks like I still have it. 
My Wofford pals, Evan and Hector, always keep me laughing along our journey in Ecuador.
