Because we had to share the walkways with pressed khakis and fanny packs yesterday, we gave the students one last opportunity to visit the Canopy and get the perfect profile picture. They had a blast exploring and finding their happy in the treetops. I'm so blessed to have been a part of their canopy experience - maybe sooner or maybe later, they'll realize what an absolutely awesome opportunity this really was! Side notes - parents, if you don't see your kid in a picture, just check Instagram or Facebook - many profile pics now feature the longest canopy walkway in the world - my inner Jane Goodall is jumping and swinging from the vines with joy!
Speaking of swinging from the vines...🌱 Let me introduce to 16 new stars of the upcoming Tarzan movie - Tarzan versus the Red Ryed Moth. Swinging on a vine is a right of passage for all Amazon locals, unfortunately, our guide-made vine broke before four girls had a chance to channel their inner Jane and I guess will just have to return to the Jungle! As mentioned, our guides put this whole thing together - they wanted to give the students one last Jungle activity before we headed to heated pool and pesticides. A few days ago, they walked into the dining room carrying machetes (you really can't make this stuff up) - I knew their plan but pointed them out to the kids so they'd remember when the surprise was revealed. This is just one example of how awesome our guides really are. I have to take this time to give our guides, Percy and Willy, the Arapaima sized shout out they deserve! They were invaluable in this whole adventure - held our hands every step, made sure we were safe from "moths" on the night hikes, shared personal stories of their Amazon childhood, answered at least 500 questions (hey Willy...), taught us Spanish and Yagua over and over again, and never left our side from the Iquitos airport on Day 1 to the security checkpoint on Day 9. I am eternally grateful for their patience, expertise, care and everything they did for the students. I hope my next batch of kids gets just as lucky as the #perucrew did.
After we finished filming Tarzan, we said goodbye to another dynamic duo, the bug guys - Randy and Steve! Just like the guides, they provided my students with invaluable expertise, opportunities and memories that we will never forget. I've already booked them for next summer and if I could, I'd hire the Steve and Randy show to come to MP monthly with their petting zoo!🐜😳
We boarded the boat to make our way to the fluffy pillows and terricloth robes, with a quick stop at Napo for one final pit and peak of the entire journey. The students were so reflective, it brought a tear to my eye and turned on the waterworks for Christa! We kept eyeing each other like teachers do, usually when a kid is in trouble, but this time, it was all good! The students had realized the magic of the Jungle and it has changed them! That's all you get about that for now, stay tuned for the final thought tomorrow (make sure you have your handkerchief on deck😢). Christa is also a very special person in this jungle experience, but I'm saving her for the final thought blog.
At Ceiba Tops, a celebration like no other ensued! Picture Animal House...minus the bathtub drink dispensers! We took over the pool, danced with a local group from the nearby village, ate refridgerated food, sipped on virgin mini umbrellas, and used enough wifi to power the Matrix! It was heaven on Earth and ended with the most magical sunset on the Amazon River. As I watched the students party like its 1999, I felt the happiest i'd been the whole trip (and let me tell you, there were some big contenders leading up to this one). Tonight is our last sleep in the Rainforest - and it's amazing to realize how much everything has changed from the first.💓 There were smiles as far as the eye could see, new friendships that might never have happened in the four walls of MP, appreciation for people instead of things and memories instead of Instagram likes. There is much more reflection comin atcha in the final thought. 😁
Time for a quick shout out to everyone who's reading/commenting/sharing the blog - including Doug from Sun City! 😉
We appreciate everyone's support and Amazon love as we wrap up the adventure of a lifetime!
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