After breakfast we began a three hour hike to the first Huaorani community. We still didn’t see any mammals but lots of birds and insects and really amazing foliage. I will say that the jungle is much less scary in the daylight, thank goodness. During our hike, Uweme would explain the Huaorani use of plants and trees and insects. One of the trees in the jungle is called a lemon aunt tree. It has a symbiotic relationship with ants. And apparently they’re full of protein and taste like lemon. So why not try them  right? So I did. And they do taste like lemon!

Uweme would also stop to share legends of their community.  For example they have a legend about how the Amazon river and its tributaries were created. Roberto would translate while he told the story of his land. Uweme and other elders in the tribe are very important for maintaining their history because they have their own language and the stories are not written down, just passed from generation to generation. I’m developing a profound respect for the people here. They are kind and strong and hard-working and generous and absolutely fearless! Amazing!

We arrived to the first community. Here we met a few more Huaorani women and children. Every one that we’ve met is related to everyone else. It does make sense as they rarely marry into another tried and there are only so many of them. We were able to visit one family’s house – Bacha and Eloy. They have four children and they are both under the age of 25. They live in a one room house near the river. Some of them have beds and some sleep and hammocks. They have a separate room without walls that serves as a kitchen.  They did have a generator for electricity but apparently that is unusual. They have a very simple life filled with family and hard work. No electronics or in some cases even light. But they look so happy! And welcomed us with open arms. They had some other family visiting as well. One of the girls was 15 and already married. And that’s the norm for them. They typically get married as soon as they’re able to bear children. So different from the way we live.

We helped Bacha plant some yucca and learn how to braid fibers that came from the trees and were used to make jewelry. And we tried chicha, which is their alcoholic drink. Yes even the simplest ways of life include a strong drink! This drink is made from the yucca plant and is fermented with the use of saliva. In order to make the chicha, they will cook the yucca, then chew it, then spit it out and wait for it to ferment. Yeah, it wasn’t my thing! But at least I tried it.

We spent a couple of hours just hanging out with his family. It was awesome! It seems like the people know and appreciate the important things in life. Although they’re slowly adopting some modern practices. They still believe in and want to retain their way of life.

I’m absolutely whipped! And I’m loving this and I’m also very afraid at the same time. I’m just hoping I can relax enough to sleep tonight…