avoid tipping. If things got a little too hairy, which happened often,
the key was to find a big tree to "eddy out" behind and grab a branch
to hold onto while you get your bearings for the next course of
action. I was proud of the fact that by some small miracle, I remained
inside my kayak the entire time. I don't think that once out there was
the option of getting back in! This part of the river was constantly
evolving each day with temporary sandbars and beaches that would
show up for a few days and then wash away.These islets were where
we would find our home each night and set up our campsite.
One late afternoon after arriving at our base for the night, we splashed
around the river's edge with some local children. Afterwards, we had
the pleasure of venturing into a traditional village, where we met and
shook hands with some locals who were living with close to nothing.
We met one woman who kept hugging us with the biggest, warm
smile on her face, though she lived without access to drinking water.
After someone was able to translate a bit of conversation for us, she
went inside and came out in a dress that no one would question was
her most valuable attire. My heart melted. You could feel her energy.
This moment and this memory I will carry with me forever. Through
hand signals and facial gestures, I had connected with an individual
whose life was the polar opposite of mine. This was yet another
reward of my travels.
