I still remember standing at the airport, with my fingers crossed together. I was more nervous than excited, scared than impatient. However, as I entered Brazil and as the journey unfolded, I was more glad than ever. When my feet made contact with Amazonian Soil, I was clouded by déjà vu’s from my high school days in Geography class. Who would have thought that the photographs I saw on textbook pages of the drip-trip leaves, lianas, and other Rainforest Plants, I would be able to see in real life? Who would have thought that 10 Yeats later, the local guide would be explaining the same ‘adaptational techniques adopted by local plants to ensure survival within the dessert’?
There wasn’t just one best moment to reflect back on. The trip was full of memorable moments, starry nights and enthusiastic chatter. From obsessing over the Sledgehammer song to getting a Degree in “Sass” apparently, and fashionably trekking in a sling-purse, the Amazon experience was the perfect cloud to be cast upon my tanned soul. It was like mini-paradise where each sunset was more breathtakingly gorgeous than the next, where each start twinkled brighter than it’s neighbor, and where endless the water glittered more each second. It felt like we had been the chosen few to have transported onto a New Island, or maybe even a new planet.
Land far far away
As more days passed, the lack of mobile network seemed to have a mediating effect. Usually, people used technology as a method to escape reality and avoid ‘small talk,’ but it was amazing to see how the trek presented itself as an opportunity for us to indulge in genuine conversation and create our own version of reality. It felt amazing how comfortable everybody became around people they’d only known for a matter of days. So much so, we all decided to take a leap of faith together.
This trip was, in fact, a string of unknown possibilities. Each encounter was more surreal than the next. One minute you’re fishing for Piranha’s and Caimans, the next you dive into the same muddy water’s for an afternoon swim. Piranhas are known to have razor-sharp teeth and a relentless bite. The word Piranha if translated into the Brazilian Language Tupi means “toothfish.” Piranha’s found in Rio Amazonas (Amazon River) are aggressive, especially the red-bellied Piranha- Pygocentrus nattereri. 300-500 Piranhas can strip the flesh of a 180-pound human within five minutes. And yet, there we were, diving into the same piranha-filled opaque waters. Now if that’s not a ‘once-in-a-lifetime-experience’ then what is?
Citius, Altius, Fortius
At one moment, I was cluelessly walking across the Copacabana Beach, enjoying the sand particles seep through my toes, and the next I found myself cheering on Brazil at the Beach Volleyball Olympics match. Even though this trip allowed me to check Olympics off my bucket list, the most iconic representation of Brazil, for me, was the Christ the Redeemer. This sight was worth each mile of travel. This statue is an Art Deco status of Jesus Christ and took a total of 9 years to construct. This open-armed statue symbolises how Christ loves all and will embrace all that comes to him. Brazilian’s believe “he is looking down on us from above.” However, in contemporary times, this monument has received the label of “The Hug.” In 1969, Brazilian artist Gilberto Gil wrote a song inspired by the monument called “That Hug (Aquele Abraco).” As of today, this statue is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and I can definitely see why. Additionally, just a few lanes away, the Pay de Acucar (Sugarloaf Mountain) is the sight to idyllic and mesmerising sunsets. This tourist attraction is situated at the peak of Rio de Janeiro, at the mouth of the Guanabara Bay (Atlantic Ocean).
Cherry on top
We could see how all our fundraising efforts have come to help educate the future of tomorrow, live. We were provided with the privilege to visit the Childreach center in Brazil. Our fundraising for this trip was donated to these underprivileged children. This opened the opportunity for them to attend school, learn using the computer and foster healthy growth and development. We were given a chance to not only visit them during their classes and see them learn, but we also danced to Brazilian jams with them. The smile on their face, when we started dancing with them, is ingrained in my memory like it was just yesterday. The talent, passion, and innocence in their eyes is one moment, my heart has captured forever.
PS: We even got to meet the founder and CEO of Childreach International, Firoz Patel. He is, just like me, a Gujarati. I am telling you all, Gujuariti’s will be ruling the world soon enough. “Shade weaver casually throwing some shade maybe?” - Summed up my Amazon Trek perfectly.