I heard about this trip for years. I wanted to go so bad – finally, I had a moment one day [ story for another time! ] when I decided to confirm it. I flew into Lima from Atlanta on November 29, 2019, and boarded my connecting flight to Iquitos. This was my first view of the Amazon; water snaking through the jungle as if some playful foreshadow of what was coming.
December 3, 2019
“We took a 20 minute boat ride to meet the Kukama today. We walked a mile through town. As we walked up the hill you could see 4-5 women in matching white skirts and tops waiting to greet us with the biggest smiles on their faces and laughing.
One of the elder women walked toward me and took my hand and said a few things I didn’t quite understand but somehow I did, it was all heart. I smiled and then she walked me down toward their new maloca that had recently been built and you could already hear the drums beating.
Down the hill it opened to a circle with the tribe dancing and the little children sitting on the side just gazing at the scene. ”
12 nights in the Peruvian Amazon. 13 days of reset with 20 other people from around the world; jungle walks, flower baths, dancing, singing, shaman, plant medicine, countless nights under the stars in a hammock on a hill, swimming in the water holes, 3 tribes, clean eating (all vegetables, fruit and fish), and probably a million other things I can’t even begin to describe. Welcome to the Amazon.
December 4, 2019
“We had a flower bath this morning with Don Rober and Donna, a regular practice after ceremony. The water was ice cold, filled with flowers which Donna dowsed me with and then they both sang icaros while Don Rober tapped me on the head with dry leaves.”
It was unlike any trip I’ve taken. Usually my overseas flights are for a show, this was purely vacation – and I was traveling solo. I was nervous but also excited to dive in.
“Walking through the jungle was like out of a book.
Crossing tree bridges, leaves bigger than my head, people carrying fruit on their heads.
We made it to the tribes home right by a clearing with a stream that we swam in as we arrived – the water felt so soft!”
Some functional/packing suggestions I would make for you when (notice I didn’t say if? :)) you decide to go. These are only my personal suggestions, use your own judgement and check with your doctor to if needed:
- Bug spray! (military grade if you can) – I wore it 24/7. Especially during certain times of the year and pending where you are in the jungle, you’ll need the protection.
- Vaccines – It was recommended that I get the Typhoid Fever and Yellow Fever shot before I went. It was also suggested that I take malaria pills with me. I did all three and I’m glad I did. Of course, consult with your doctor and use your own judgement but I followed through with all suggested vaccines and felt safer while there. If you do decide to take vaccines, note that some require 2 or 3 shots and to be started months in advance.
- Water-proof – shoes, pants, shirts, backpack! Welcome to the rainforest!
- Plastic bag – for your phone, money, anything you carry on a regular that you want to stay dry.
- Journal – I didn’t get this until I arrived and boy it was one of my favorite items. You’re halfway around the world, something as simple as documenting it for yourself is going to feel really good. It did for me at least.
- Pack light! – You’ll be on the go and you really don’t need much. Try to keep it to the essentials; after all, it’s really about disconnecting while you are there!
- Sanitizer/hand-wipes – Small thing but again, important.
If there’s one last highlight I can share, one lesson learned, it would be a moment I had as we were taking off by boat to go visit a tribe an hour out one day. Our host suggested we bring our iPods with us with us for some relaxing music. I realized once I was in the canoe that I didn’t switch out my gym playlist and was praying not to turn on something angry ;p
Just as we were turning the corner, the sunshine was reflection off the water so bright and I put my hand through the water and it felt like silk. It’s hard to describe but in that moment, I realized that it’s all going to be OK. We can stress ourselves out for the smallest things, we can get in our hamster wheel on what we think our life is supposed to be and get so caught up that we miss the bigger picture.
Zoom out on your life. What are you going for? What are your goals, what makes you happy? Follow, pursue that. That’s what life is about it. If Peru taught me anything, it was a reminder of this. H xx
