May 24

Today has been quite an adventurous day. We started with a delicious breakfast at 8:00am. Sausage, papas, scrambled eggs, fresh piña and papaya, and hot tea. We had a full day. We took the boat at 9:30am to head to a village of the natives here. The tribe is known as the Siona Secora. I'm not sure if that is how it's spelled, but I believe that's how it is pronounced. We were in the boat for about an hour to an hour and a half. We were able to see two anacondas. They were very peaceful. I think they get bad reputations, because Luis told that if you touch them, they will jump in the water and run away. We were able to see some monkeys as well. Little squirrel monkeys. They are so cute! When we arrived in the village, one of the women helped to gather some yucca roots which we shredded on cheese grater type things. She then rang out the water from them, and sifted it through a tool made of bamboo. Then she cooked in on the stove into a type of pizza bread. It was very delicious!! We ate it with jam, chile, and salt. After we were done with lunch we headed over to another part of the village to visit the shaman. He did a ceremony with us. He cleansed me of my bad spirits. It was quite interesting to see. After finishing there, we jumped back on the boat and headed back to the lagoon. We were able to swim for about half an hour to an hour. It is quite difficult to swim there because you can't hit the bottom. It takes a lot to stay floating. We all had a blast. Now we are back in the cabin drying off and enjoying our hammock time. It is lovely! Overall the Amazon has not been what I expected. It has been better, and I am so in love. I will return again, but for a longer time.