Ceremonies Of The Amazon

Anyone who visits the jungle in Rurrenabaque, Bolivia has the chance to participate in a native ritual ceremony.  The indigenous Tacana traditionally practice these ceremonies twice a week, on Tuesday’s and Fridays, and additionally for special occasions and events. Many jungle adventure tours will be sure to include the ceremony in your experience even if your tour does not fall on those days.

These ceremonies are about giving back to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) for the abundance of resources and life she provides.  They are also an opportunity for the native people to ask for her protection from dangers, providence of food, and general well-being. Continue reading “Ceremonies Of The Amazon”

¡Jungle Crafts!

By now you know that I have spent a good bit of time exploring the Amazon rainforest.  One of many things that fascinates me about Amazon culture is the impressive knowledge of the jungle’s natural resources.

Indigenous communities throughout the Amazon have learned over centuries how to utilize the rainforest for survival.  These cultures rely almost entirely on plants and plant materials for survival.  The plants provide them with food, medicine and materials for shelter and clothing.   Continue reading “¡Jungle Crafts!”

Butterflies of the Amazon

I apologize for the serious content of this post.  Haha, no I don’t!  It’s butterflies.  And they are just delightful.  My latest video has been described as “joyful”. Continue reading “Butterflies of the Amazon”

A Conversation About Jungle Life

I’m ready to share my latest youtube video.  My last video introduced Miguel, a.k.a Chapa, an indigenous Tacana jungle boy from the Amazon in Bolivia.  I am working on a series of videos that offer a peak into jungle life of the native people who live there.

In this video Miguel answers a few questions about what life is like in the indigenous communities.  He mentions how life is different “in the city”.  But, “the city” which he refers to is actually a very small town. Continue reading “A Conversation About Jungle Life”

A Modern Day Tarzan Story

Meet Miguel.  Born and raised in the heart of the Bolivian Amazon, this Native Bolivian Indian knows how to live off the land completely.  He puts everyone on survivalist reality TV shows to shame.  Although he did not grow up in one of the “uncontacted” communities that have received recent attention in the Amazon jungle, he comes from a primitive tribe in the same region, likely with close genetic relationships.  This community lives a natural lifestyle without modern amenities.   Continue reading “A Modern Day Tarzan Story”

Copacabana & Isla Del Sol, Bolivia

This was an incredible way to say goodbye to Bolivia after an incredible 3 months (4 if you count last year).  I love this country beyond words! For my the final leg of my Bolivian journey, I visited Copacabana and Isla Del Sol.   Continue reading “Copacabana & Isla Del Sol, Bolivia”

Rurre, Bolivia – Return to the Jungle

When I was preparing for my second big South American adventure, many people asked me if I planned to revisit anywhere I had already been.  For the most part, I was only interested in seeing new things.  But there was one place I  absolutely had my heart set on to revisit: Rurrenabaque, Bolivia.  From the moment I left this town last year, I knew I hadn’t had enough.  I needed more of the charming small town, more of the beautiful local people, and more of the Amazon. Continue reading “Rurre, Bolivia – Return to the Jungle”

Raising Funds for Bolivian Amazon School Children

*EDIT: Fundraiser was a success and is not closed. Thank you to everyone who generously participated.

Please visit my gofundme page to help out! gofundme.com/getlostandbefoundAlong my travels I have been searching for ways to vollunteer and help local communities, particularly here in Bolivia.  Bolivia is an incredible country filled with beautiful landscapes, natural recources and a vast array of climates.

While here, I have had the privilage of spending a month in the Amazon rainforest getting to know the Indiginous people in the Beni region (specifically the native Tacana people). Continue reading “Raising Funds for Bolivian Amazon School Children”

At the Bolivia/Argentina Border, Again.

La frontera… Otra vez.  So my second “first impression” of Bolivia was equally as strange and frustrating as my first. Continue reading “At the Bolivia/Argentina Border, Again.”

Bolivian Dance Performances

“Caparoles” is the term for the style of traditional Andean dance which found it’s birth place in northern Bolivia. Caparoles is folkloric with it’s ritualistic roots. Today, it is performed to the beats and melodies of Bolivian folk music and is considered to be an Icon of Bolivian culture. Bolivian Dance is a spectacular art form! Continue reading “Bolivian Dance Performances”