It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.

~Lucille Ball

It is my 4th day home from the Amazon and everyday I have thought about my adventures, relished in the memories, and gone to bed everynight still exhausted from 2 weeks of non-stop discoveries. Yes, it is nice to be home, but I long to go back to explore the jungles even more. This trip was held many discoveries, on so many levels. I was able to interact when many Peruvians who live in the jungle in various villages. Their lives are simple, but they are SO happy. They do not have running water, electricity, stores, cars, modern medicine---they are completely immersed in the jungle, a 4 hour speed boat ride to the nearest city. They do not have much--they have what the jungle provides them with and with what little money they are able to make buys them--but they are happy. Boys are doing what boys should be doing--playing in mud, jumping into the river, running constantly, and most of all laughing. Their children do not have the opportunity to sit in front of the TV for hours to play video games--and they are happier than I have ever seen children--it was amazing. I was blessed--I played soccer with those kids, played in mud with those kids, and jumped in the river with those kids--I was truly able to let my inner kid come out--because they were truly kids.

We did not have a lot of time in the villages--but what we did I have I enjoyed a great deal. I did so many things on this trip I never thought I would, could, or should! (Smile) I swam in the Amazon river and was never eaten, hiked for hours in the jungle, climbed a strangler fig tree (with electric eels right below--glad I didn't fall), and that is just to name a few. I decided when I went I was going for it all---no holding back, who knows if I'll get back to the jungle someday. I even held (& kissed) an Anaconda---and I loved it. There is certainly not even time to write out all of my adventures that I journaled everyday of the trip--but I hope to type it out soon and send it to those who would like to read it--just let me know. I'll also post all of my pictures on a website sometime soon. Needless to say it was the trip of a lifetime that exploded my sense of adventure. Those who know me know I am not a touristy type of person. I do not care to go to muesems, famous buildings, etc. My theory is that I can look them up and see pictures. When I travel, I want to experience the culture---I want to go to the small towns & villages, I want to swim in the waters, snorkel & scuba dive where possible, I want to eat in the little cafes---that is my idea of a good time---not on a tour bus looking at things I have seen in my history books. This trip was right up my alley---I was immersed in the jungle---I was taken and placed in the middle of nowhere with no modern convieneces and you know what--we were all just fine and very happy without our cell phones, computers, & even running water and electricity--it was calm and peaceful. Our reserve was a long speed boat trip away from the city and about an hour boat ride to the nearest village--we were truly in the middle of nowhere and it was divine. I cannot even explain the beauty of the jungle---I don't know if the words exist to even describe it--magnificent, amazing, breath taking, marvelous---but that doesn't seem to be near enough.

Now, I am back in my life's reality and have begun my last semester of my undergrad career--how many changes, decisions, and emotions this semester will bring--but what an adventure it will be!

Picture: Alison and Me on New Years Eve in Chino Village (where we celebrated with the locals). We were trying to teach some of the village kids some crazy American dance moves---we had a WONDERFUL time that night. They were so much fun. That is cornstartch on our faces---it is a Peruvian custom on New Years to throw cornstartch on one another as luck for the New Year--everyone was covered.