We started with a group of 38 singles and, as usual, they were initially timid but quickly linked in friendship. Upon his arrival in Lima we check into a charming hotel located in the fashionable district of Miraflores. There was a city tour, free time to explore and a delicious dinner of sea bass ceviche in a restaurant built on a pier at the ocean.

The next day we flew Lan to Iquitos where we were greeted by 3 top guides who remain with us for our 6 days in the jungle. ‘m Really pro on flora, fauna and fun! All means of transport is by boat. 90 miles along the river, we arrive at Explonapo Lodge in the heart of the Amazon. N. plumbing or electricity, feels like an episode of “Survivor.” Very rustic, but therein lies the charm. I fell in love with the resident “pets”. Adrian was toucan who stick their long beaks into the door of the dining room for a party, with many domesticated parrots and Scarlet Macaw. Charlie is a Capybara looking like a mutant 100 pounds. Guinea Pig. When I scratch under her chin, closed his eyes and make cooing sounds.

The step black nights are chilling, with a symphony of sounds wild. Our rooms were connected by a wall of privacy and a thatched roof open. Like a giant slumber party, we all shouted “JohnBoy goodnight” from our mosquito netted beds. Suddenly, Sharon and the boys running screaming in her room. He found a giant lizard with her back to bed. A 3 in the morning I head for the latrine with the torch in his hand. The interior of a fleet beats in my head, as I have repeatedly Whisper “Bats are good.”

Most have sketched. We board our boat “luxury in the Amazon” Top Ceiba. With air conditioning, tropical garden and swimming pool, it feels like the Ritz to us. I am the World’s Longest shower that others enjoy swimming Pisco Sours. We all have a weight gain, with the costs of food through an abundant and tasty.

During shifts a day boat, we saw giant water lilies, sloths, countless birds and pink dolphins wave. We fished with cane poles to fish for piranha fry for dinner. We visited a family with a pet snake anaconda. My clients courageous wrap around them for a photo. We delivered medical supplies to a remote clinic serving the residents of the river poor. The following tooth extraction costs $ 2 if they can afford.

There have been many highlights! We traveled the world’s longest canopy walk 100 ‘up in the trees. We visited Monkey Island, a research station for 8 species in your room free. For a photo that I took 3 at a time. There was a conference of shamans two residents who told us about the medicinal plants and then blessed us individually as they took our spirits. At Indian village Yagua we exchanged our western products for forms and compressed air guns (many of which were later confiscated by the TSA).

The best part of the trip was for me a surprise visit to a rural school. Inside were 50 + children barefoot and staring eyes that never see tourists. My eyes filled with tears as they sang their national anthem for us. We sang our anthem to them and made a ton of school supplies for both teachers. It ‘was a magnificent spectacle.

Back in Lima, all of us shop disperse the Indian market. The dollar is so strong that many here in the group to buy another bag to fill. I did my Christmas shopping in May The dinner was fabulous in a restaurant located in the pre-Inca ruins. We toast each other farewell with many hugs as it should go well done. This group was prefect and I want to clone all travel AFS future. I could not select their best in this adventure travelers.

I always loved the land of Peru. Now I understand only a future journey to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, visiting the floating reed islands of the indigenous and the crossing of La Paz in Bolivia. For now, I’m tired of Europe. There is a spirit of humility in the heart of these people are not able to adequately describe here. Nor can accurately convey my photos Peru. He must have really lived.