Peru, June 2005, the Amazon

The Rivereños

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A real highlight of the trip for me was visiting this local family, well organized and tidy in their subsistence way of life. I cherish the necklaces I bought from the mother, and remember the neighbors and their pig-dispersal gathering. Seeing people here who operate so much in the same way as villagers in Thailand, makes me realize how very little we need television, or cars, or telephones.

©Clare Durst 2005

The Villages

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Another river village and then the town of Indiana, a missionary town to begin with. I wonder if that wide street was made so small planes could land - there's certainly no traffic. I saw more children here, at the school and at home, than anywhere. Peruvian children here - and in Lima - go half-days to school: that way a school can have two sessions in one building. So the fact that some kids weren't in school doesn't mean they don't GO. Of course, the wee one peering out from behind her barrier, is too young, as is the one being tended by big brother.

©Clare Durst 2005

The Indians

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And now for something completely different: the Yagua Indians who live near the Explorama Lodge and whose elders will demonstrate their skill with a blowgun on the drop of a hat (or a sole). Their grandchildren who attend the high school nearby do demonstration dances to entertain the guests at CeibaTops a couple of nights a week. At the Explorama Lodge, there were great birds!

The Rum Factory

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The rum factory, I'm told, has been around since the 1800's. It does look it!