Bella Vista. day 3

In the morning the clouds hang low on the river but they are beginning to lift and we find ourselves heading out hopeful of some sun this morning as we head again to Bella Vista to continue our construction. Children are waiting on the shore for our arrival and we make really good progress. The sun comes out and at times it is very hot to be mixing cement and bending rebar. More relationships are developing and it's wonderful to see smiles and hear conversations as the day unfolds. One of the parents arrive mid morning with a wheel barrow full of oranges he had collected from the trees around the site to share with everyone working. We work an extra 1/2 hour today in order to finish some of cement work. Progress is going very well.

The same routine as the day before occurs as we return to the minga lodge: children swimming, boat singing and a refreshing breeze to cool us down before arriving for lunch. Lunch is a special treat today served on a leaf instead of a plate. Platters of palm heart and thistle salad, yucca root fries, and banana leaf steamed tilapia fish. Even the skeptics tasted and enjoyed !

After lunch we head back down the river a ways to visit a local shaman. We are invited to take part on groups of 5 in a cleansing ritual that involves having tobacco smoke blown over us and then having the spirits and energy cleansed by being "swept" with a wand of yukka leaves. Afterwards we get a chance to blow darts with a dart gun (a traditional hunting method) at a papaya that has been slice open and place on a stick as a moving target. 4 of our group are successful. Following a group picture with the shaman and his family, a spear throwing demonstration and an opportunity to buy some handmade crafts by the family, we head back to Minga lodge for supper .

We are invited before supper to a special cooking demonstration of an amazon delicacy and treat. A wrapped banana leaf package is unwrapped to reveal the biggest weevil larvae I've ever seen ! They are wiggling like crazy . An invitation is given to anyone who would like to try them raw first. One must bite down on their head and pinchers first so they don't bite the inside of your mouth. Two of the group give it a try ! Then the rest the group must squish their heads and threat them onto a stick where they are roasted and then tasted. A " special" treat and appetizer before dinner.

At suppertime we begin to have a conversation about how we might share our new insights and make connections back home with both the issues we are encountering and the ongoing work of Me to We.

Then, it's back into the jungle for a short walk at night to see some of the creatures whose sounds we hear at night. We see several different species of frogs, various bugs and moths, bats, tarantulas and the head of a tiny water snake. It's been another full day and many are feeling weary . A final check in in the circle and it's off to our respective cabins at 9:30.