I struggled to comprehend the uniqueness of our current situation. I wasn’t sure if I was experiencing culture shock or if I was simply in awe of this radically different way of life. Within minutes we were transported into a different, pre-industrial time. I looked around their home. Nothing was made from plastic, every item had a functional use and was crafted by hand from materials collected in the jungle.

Every creature we noticed was required here. Every creature belonged. Even us visitors belonged. We couldn’t escape the connectedness of this space if we tried.

“I found a Polka-dot-oreo,” Kira calls through the darkened jungle. Her announcement overflows with excitement. Eli and I swivel our lights in her direction. We know exactly who she is talking about, even if no one else could

I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t believe we were here. I also couldn’t believe that in the whirlwind of departure Gonzalo’s wife, Nenquere’s wife, and Nenquere’s infant son had decided to come along as well.

Two weeks ago a message from my friend, Kira, popped up on my phone. We might not have permits or a boat or ANYTHING figured out, but we have scales and calipers and rulers. The message, along with a photo of the recently arrived gear made me cackle. The gear, shiny new and anxiously ready, was all part of our plan which had fallen apart a few days earlier.