Monday, February 24, 2014

First night in Shaimi... dinner n slumber party at the shamans house

Shaman's shelf.
Dinner time!

Getting tucked in!

'Night, John Boy...
We were all told to pack mosquito nets and sleeping gear for this portion of the trip. The plan was for us all to sleep in the large cinder block school house down in the central part of the village. Don Juan and his family lived in the only remaining traditional structures left in Shaimi, up on a hill at the farthest edge of the village clearing, somewhat removed from the rest of the village. When we arrived they told us that they had changed the plans and we were all to be overnight guests in Don Juan's home. Let's just say it was a COZY night for all of us. The kind of night that brings you closer as a group... in SO many ways! We were about 25 people and our mosquito nets, which were strung up, rigged and utilized in a variety of ways, plus our luggage and gear, as well as sleeping mats/sleeping bags/ blankets and such! It was highly amusing watching us all rig up our nets and get ourselves situated for the night! This situation was not what we expected and I know it pushed everyones comfort envelope, but it was truly impressive to see everyone, of ALL different ages,  deal so positively with the moment at hand! Fun, fun, fun!!! We totally had a "Night, John Boy!" moment after we were all nestled down and drifting in to sleep. Our little mosquito net teepee we strung up made me feel safe n cozy! It's not JUST mosquitos that the net is for when you are on the floor in a shamans house in the middle of the Amazon rainforest! (Insert your own jungle-creepy-critter visual HERE) This tops my list as one of the most interesting nights sleep ever! And yes, I actually slept very well and had very vivid dreams. Something tribally comforting about sleeping in a space with that many trusted and loved folks. (Thanks to Rosemary n Robert for some of these photos!)

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