Our guides took us to see the home of a family that lives an hour walk from the lodge. 9 children from the age of 24 to 2 years old live on the property, the 24 year old son has a wife and his own home. The parents were not there when we visited, and the children were taking care of themselves. Many families live on the Napo River, each house about 2 to 10 miles from the next one. They make a living growing coffee beans and mainly eat yucca in many forms.
It's Christmas Eve and seeing how people live without any of the privileges most of us have is very sobering. The children walk 2 hours to get to school, one way. No cars, no electricity, no refrigeration, no TV, no reading material. Luckily they don't need any heat :-)
So from Ecuador to North America here's wishing everyone a thankful and Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays with those near and dear to you.
The main room in the house, all made with bamboo and palm found nearby. There were only benches in this room.
Lovely children.
The house is built off the ground to keep the mice and other creatures out.
Nature's toilet paper, soft and fragrant.
One of our guides, Pedro, con crazon de tigre, with the heart of a tiger.
We all tried our hand at using a blow dart gun.
This new mother is 16 years old, married to the oldest son.
The youngest child, he'll be 2 in February.
The kitchen.
Doing the wash in the river.
This was the only luxury item we saw in the house.
once again, great pictures and stories. You're like Margaret Mead! Looks foggy near the coast.
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