Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Day 4 March 6, 2013

Blog Writers: Chris Steiner and Cam DeMay

Although the hike to Surama Mountain was supposed to be at 6 we eventually got everyone packed and ready for the day’s adventure. Breakfast was taken with us via our guides Junior and Camilla. We loaded into a pickup to head to the nearest trail that led to the mountain. We hiked across the plains to the canopy at the base and began our journey upward. The forest held many wonders, from fungus, trees and sounds of the unknown (well not to our guides, they informed us they were monkeys and birds). The hike was easy at first and then progressively became more difficult and the incline of the mountain started and our guides told us to watch out for loose and slippery rocks. Using the trees to stable ourselves we made the arduous journey to the viewpoint 800m above sea level. We kept well hydrated as our legs burned with the fires of a thousand suns. Drenched with sweat and 98% Deet we traversed the rocky terrain and emerged to a glorious view of Surama Village and the mountain ranges in the distance. We were met with a delicious breakfast of eggs, bake and Surama peanut butter sandwiches... and of course met with the customary glass of juice. We engulfed our meal with the fervor of a hungry jaguar. The breathtaking view was no match for the hike back down. Junior found us a very useful vine that we used to swing through the lush greenness of the forest. After our playtime was over we made our way back to the village and set out on the next part of our day, Toka Village.

          As our heads bobbed along the dusty roads, an oasis appeared in the distance. This oasis, cleverly named Oasis, had many culinary delights. From pork to chicken and veggies for the girls and Cam, we finished our meals and back out to Toka we went. We arrived in great time and were met by the friendly people there.  After a round of introductions, Stobe Davis explained the traditional way of finding, crushing and mixing the clay. The ladies of the village showed us the way they make their pots and we in turn showed them how to make our ocarinas. They were as excited as we were to learn a new craft. We took a portrait of the group with the villagers, said our goodbyes and once again piled into our trusty van. Once again we traveled the long, dusty road and headed to our final destination, Yupukari.

          We arrived shortly after dark and we were welcomed warmly by the smiling staff of Caiman House. We unloaded the van and sat down to a warm meal of fried chicken, tiger fish (big cat fish), cabbage, rice and pumpkin. We received the introduction from Mike about our stay and what we will be doing and we then prepared for the upcoming Art Camp at the Yupukari primary school. Tomorrow will be the start of a weeklong creative experience.