The Jungle Trip

Saturday August 12

Today we went for a hike into the jungle to a remote beach on the river. Before we left the women here who have been cooking our meals made us lunches of really good rice and beans, some fried okra, and fried chicken. We filled our packs and headed out from the dorms up the road into the interior. About 15 minutes down the road we turned at what looked like a quad trail and walked along that path for a another 15 minutes. Just as we reached the path that lead into the jungle the midday storm rolled in and the skied opened up and dumped rain on us. We were told that the trek was going to be an easy one and that flip flops would be fine. We quickly learned this wasn't the case and I decided it would be safer (and more fun) to walk barefoot.
Water began running down the path in a river of mud, but we managed to wade our way through and emerge safely at the beach. Starving from the adventure a few of us sat on a worn wooden boat and ate our lunches in some of the heaviest rain I have ever experienced. It was brilliant, I loved every soaking minute of the experience. The rain never lasts too long here and 30 minutes later the sky appeared again and the sun even peaked out. Vinnie and I attempted to swim to a large rock in the river that had some kind of monument on it but half way realized we were getting further from our goal and not closer. The current was actually quite strong and the swim back to shore took a lot more effort than we had anticipated. By the time we got back others had come out of their make shift shelters and had begun to play in the water, and on the rope swing there. I took the time to explore the abandoned buildings and take photos. When it was time to leave some people were too tired so they called a boat to take them back to town but I elected to hike back through the jungle. It was just as good the second time because I had a chance to take some more pictures with the sun out. The trip was awesome in the true sense of the word. I was awed.