I always feel like the first day of the year I should be doing something special, and, with the exception of being part of a project I was involved in with other photographers, nothing much really ever happens. More often than not, I find myself in the company of family (not a bad thing) eating way too much and playing with younger cousins on the couch in someone's living room. Today however, was very special, today we visited a community known as San Francisco, located very close to the confluence of the Ucayali and Maranon Rivers.
As soon as we landed at the community children came running to us treating us in Spanish and heralding the beginning of the new year. I will remember forever the warmth shown to me by a six-year-old girl named Maria. Her home is the first home on the path up to the village and as I approached she ran out to me with arms opened wide. Before I could say a word she was hugging me as if I were a long-lost relative and saying "feliese ano nuevo," happy new year in Spanish. As we often visit this small community she knew exactly what we would be doing here and placing her hand in mine, she became my escort for the rest of the visit to her village.
All of us went from home to home, communicating as best we could. The local people invited us not only into their homes, but their lives and hearts as well. In San Francisco we got to learn about the life style of the local people from the local people themselves. Our guides helped with translation and everyone we met was more than happy to tell us about themselves and what they were doing. Although the people knew we were coming, there was no prevention, no one dress in traditional clothing for our benefit, badgering us to buy trinkets or souvenirs. This was a visit with people living there lives as they do every day of the year. We were less like guests and much more as new friends.
At this time of the year the children are not in school, however they all congregated in their meeting house to sing us songs in Spanish, we replied with a few songs in English and the exchange was complete.
We were then treated to a presentation by beneficiaries of Minga Peru. Minga Peru is an organization that Lindblad Expeditions chose to help using the Lindblad-National Geographic Fund (LEX-NG Fund) in the Upper Amazon in Peru. Minga Peru is a non-profit organization, founded in 1998, and has as a mission the promotion of social justice and human dignity for women and families in the remote rural areas of the Peruvian Amazon. It was a truly unforgettable way to begin our new year.
After boarding our boat, it was only a short sail to reach the confluence of two great rivers, the Ucayali and Maranon. It is here were the mighty Amazon River is actually born. We were finally floating in the river which puts as much freshwater into the Atlantic Ocean each day as New York City uses in an entire year. We toasted the moment with cucchuazo, a local Amazon drink prepared with seven roots. This was too important then to use any less.
After a wonderful lunch and an afternoon program on photography we set out again to see what the Amazon wanted to show us. We were not disappointed as right away we were in the company of both gray and pink river dolphins. The water was like glass and excellent views were had by all. During the skiff ride we also encountered green iguana, blue headed parrots, and a spectacular sunset to end our day. Happy New Year.
