Students in the Amazon

Flor~

One important thing that people from Portland, and simply throughout the world, is that the Sarayacu are a very strong community base that is independent from the government yet they fight with all they can in order to preserve one of the few, and the biggest, patches of serene pure terrain. Regardless of anything they take up this responsibility to help us all around the globe, they find no burdain in this and they do it so unselfishly. They understand that power comes from being trully united and not embark as individuals but as a whole, a one well developed and working body.

Throughout my short stay here, I have been able to witness the immense knowledge that these people contain, the unique way of thinking that leaves us with simple solutions to an otherwise grim looking present and future situation. They are extreemly resoursefull and I cant help but find myself in utter awe when they produce a fully functioning object in a matter of moments. For example, one of our guides ( Luis Miguel ) made something that resembles a backpack in a few minutes. Produced through the single branch of a plant, weaving the sleek long leaves together to form an outer basket. Though the difference in culture is striking, there comes the point where you let that slip through your fingers and your left with the fact that we trully are similar; in thought and the way we tend to do things. Then came the largest realization, that the Sarayacu are advanced in ways that technology could never compare let alone surpass.

Finding myself surrounded by utter beauty and taking within myself fresh natural air that has no camparison. I walk through trails, paths that have known only the footsteps of the strong, a path only knowing sweat and tears that are now embeded into the warm earth. People must realize that wealth is achivied through happyness and true happyness can only be achieved when we realize that Mother Earth is a unique pearl… and object of beauty that must be preserved. Which is exactly how the Sarayacu percieve her.

More than anything this tribe must be acknowledged as glorious, for their triumphsat protecting their land that has rightfully been passed down through generations, for mastering this land as well as for their noble souls that genuanly care for one another. To consider us all as brothers and sisters, as a family. Once again, a strong community that has plenty to teach the rest of us in successfull ways, only the future can tell us if we will have enough heart to fully open our ears and let the teaching comense.

There are so many things that the Sarayacu have been able to influence me with, this in only a few days of observations and conversations as a whole. But I was astounded to realize that they take the responsibility of preserving the rainforest for us all. They do this with pride and they dont find it a burden what so ever, a responsibility that is entrusted to us all… yet the majority take no notice. I take with me the importance of working as a whole and to stop thinking of my own selfish material needs. To work with others is a gift, as an individual you can only get so far. When i would work as a group the first thing that would come to my mind is “how do I benifit from this… how can I benefit from this” instead of putting the task at hand first. I know that with passion and determination, one can succeed.

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Roger~

The people of Sarayaku are peaceful and simple. Their simplicity wouldn´t be simple for anyone who wasn´t born into their lifestyle because it consists of hard labor, lack of material wealth, and a lot of community teamwork, but the payment of this way of life is a future for generations to come.

One of the messages that I got from them was that they understand that we are all connected in this world. For every liter or gallon of gasoline bought to run an engine, a community somewhere in the world runs out of life. We all as a whole need to learn to see as well as care. Realizing the true cost of a natural resource and understanding that the cost strongly effects everyone is one part, but we need to focus on taking action any way that we can. The most important part is that it´s not a process we have time to just consider, but it´s an issue that we need to act upon now.

By starting with yourself, to move towards a future of existence, you set an example and influence whoever it is that looks to you with respect. Talking about caring helps, recycling helps, conserving energy helps, alternative energy helps, supporting fair trade products helps, and questioning and comparing desires to needs helps. From my recent experiences, I´ve decided to live with a more caring perspective and I can´t wait to live my new life back home.

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Shelby~

the people of sarayaku are very strong mentaly and physicly. the hike up and these crazy steep hills with children straped to there backs and carrying machetes lol. its crazy lol but they are also incredably mentaly strong. they put their minds together and use there beautiful land that they live on to make a ood and healthy living for them and there family. they think about the ghildren and all of those to come after them. they are just so incredably sweet and loving people who took all 13 of us in and just took the best care of us that they could have. i am really happy we got to go with open mins and see the true meaning of being one community and working as one body to get things done right.

this trip has made me re think how i liove in portland. when i get back im really going to try hard to stop wasting things like water and electrity. and im going to try to convince my family and friends to do they same thing. im really glad i got to experiance this.

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Elizabeth~

There are so many things I can say about the sarayaku people but im going to start by telling you about one of the coolest things I obsereved. The people work as one if they need help with anything. The community is there to back them up. They have these ceramonies called mingas. A minga is when the whole village comes together to build a structure, it could be a house or canoe or somthing small like somewhere to kick it at. I thought it was cool when we went to the minga where all the sarayaku people came together to repair the trails,roads and bridges.

A minga

This place is so family oriented. I have never seen people love so much for one another. I feel like they have such a strong connections with nature and a positive outlook on life and maybe that is why they are so close. I like how they fight for their land and protect it from oil companies. Just like Chief Seattle said, we need the jungle to breathe and if we cut it down there is no way we can servive with just having money.

One thing i learned from the people in Sarayaku is that i can make a change. I´m taking a lot away from this trip but i´d say the most important thing is knowing change can start with me. I know i myself can change my habbits for the better and protect the environment by not littering and polluting etc. but that i can also spread the word to my friends and family and hope to make the same change in them. I also feel the need to open my eyes to different groups that about conserving our environment and also try to get others involved. I will definatly change my habbits, and ultimatly i hope to open others eyes and have them spread the word to because conserving the world is very important to me.

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Andrew~

For about 20 years many oil companies around the world had tried to drill for oil in a beautiful part of the Amazon called Sarayaku. Fortunately the oil companies were confronted by the Sarayaku people and had no choice but to leave. For many years the people of Sarayaku have protected their natural resources, food and water supplies, and the forest itself. Even though I wasnt feeling good during the week, just staying in one area I can see how beautiful Sarayaku is. The people in this area do not depend on money in order to live, but instead they depend on their natural resources around them. They also work as a community instead of independently. Even for profit and greed I dont see how anyone can just destroy such a beautiful place for limited supply of oil.

What I learn from this trip to Sarayaku is that we can work better as a community rather individually.

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Adrian~

After spending a week living the life of the Sarayaku people, I have learned alot, tested my mind and body, and done things out of my comfort zone. just the trip there to Sarayaku was a wild adventure. I was excited but nervous, scared but joyous, confused and yet filled with an optimistic certaintly that everything would be alright. The trip there was approximately 7 hours, including a long drive and seemingly never-ending, bumpy canoe ride, made me realize how much patience and strength the Sarayaku have to be so independent and secluded from the city and city-people.

Upon arrival here, it was a feeling of relaxation and accomplishment to finally place my feet on land. But that feeling didnt last long because when we were welcomed we were told that we had a 30-40 minute hike awaiting us to reach our cabins. just this hike was a huge mental and physical challenge that tested myself along with the rest of the Pangaea team. The terrain was very slick and slippery, with mud and alot of up and down hills and steps. I saw how easy it was for a young sarayaku child, Pablo, to hike bare-foot in the dark with a box of eggs as heavy as him. I learned that the people there are in great physical shape and I noticed on these numerous hikes we took I along with all the team would be sweating buckets while our local guides would barely break a sweat.

I learned how the Sarayaku hold Mengas, which are community organized gatherings called by a family or individual in the community, to address a need for someone. In some cases, they organize to build a home, a canoe, etc for a family or person in need of these things. We saw how hard 40-60 Sarayaku men, women, and children worked to help a family that needed a canoe. And after all that hard strenuous work, we saw how hard the people can party and celebrate the work over the work they accomplished. And boy did they celebrate, by the women dancing nonstop, and the men beating the drums continuously. I even got to do a lil drumming myself! I saw how hard it could rain in the Amazon, and how good a bath in the river could feel LOL. Saw how many bug bites one man could get on his body by looking at Ari´s arms and back! And saw how good the Pangaea crew looks with the black ink that the Sarayaku traditionally design on their faces.

But most importantly, I learned that the Sarayaku people are an extremely resourceful and peace-seeking people. They use the best of their land in the best way, and don´t pollute and destroy the Amazon, but rather preserve it. These people are independent and dont focus on money, but rather find the success in life as being a family and community and getting along together. They not only are concerned with themselves and passing their own message of perseverance and struggle, but are a people who study the world and their surroundings, and are following through with a mission to preserve the Amazon rainforest for the entire world. They are fighters and warriors for their people and land, and strive to keep their land safe and pass it down to their children. They are a people who have pride in their physical health and do so much walking and hiking in their communities. They are so friendly and welcoming and treated us like their family, and fed us great healthy food.

They believ in a message of truth, and organizing against injustices and failures of equal human rights. They believe we are all one family on this Earth, whether black, white, brown, red or yellow, they believe we should treat each other as equals and treat the Earth with respect and take care and preserve it. For if we cut down all the trees and vegetation, we cant eat the money. And they stand for much more than money…but values, pride, community, love. Theres so much more I could say about these people, but I anyone interested in learning more of these people, I surely encourage you to look the Sarayaku people up and even someday visit their land.

What I have learned and will take with me to Portland….I have learned to not take for granted all of the opportunities that I have in Portland. For that small amount of time that I spent in Sarayaku, I appreciated all of the things I have at home so much more. I will definitely take a thankfulness and gratidute for all that I have back to Portland, and share the experiences I have so that we all can realize this. I will also take with me the will and energy to organize and be a voice of the youth. These Sarayaku people are such hardworkers and are tireless, and I feel that with all the opportunities and resouces I have, I will have a drive to be as busy as I can in having a voice in a change in the world. I also jus want to learn as much as I can, and strengthen my skills and abilities even more. I want to gain so much in my arsenal, from taking spanish classes, to reading more, and even taking swimming and guitar lessons lol. And I want to take with me the spirit to spread the message of the Sarayaku people and spread the truth, and be more active and involved in my community.

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Elizabeth~

It was about a 5 hour canoe trip to Sarayaku. It got dark, our boat stopped working for a couple minutes, and we got stuck a couple times. When we arrived, it was a vicious hour long hike to our cabins. The hike was full of steep, muddy hills. When we arrived to our place, i noticed taranchulas on the ceiling and i was petrefied! Honestly, i thought there was no way i´d enjoy this trip!

During the stay, there was a lot of crucial hikes! But really, they were all worth it! We were invited to two Mingas and participated. We learned a Minga is when the whole community comes together for one cause and that cause helps the community. The first Minga was to move a canoe from the area it was made, to the river. The second Minga was to repair the trails. It was amazing to see everyone happily work together and work hard and all for thier community. After the second Minga, we were invited to the party afterwards. It was so much fun! There was a lot of dancing and drumming and everyone was just so social, happy, friendly and welcoming.

We also talked to community leaders and learned about thier struggle with oil companies and how they didn´t have the support of thier government because even the military stood behind these oil companies but still the people of Sarayaku stood up to them and were successful in chasing them off.

I learned so much from this trip and enjoyed it alot and i´m left soooo inspired by these people. I´d say something i´m going to take away from my Sarayaku experience is i´m not going to be so materialistic. These people are some of the most strong, intelligent and proud people i´ve ever met and they have barely anything. I realize i shouldn´t strive to have the newest stuf or nice things just to look good. I now really don´t see the point in spending so much money on cloths, shoes, electronics etc. Like our guide Luis said, success to him is just being with his community having a good time. The Sarayaku only depend on themselves, their community as one, the river and the plants and animals around them, and they couldn´t be happier.

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Isabel~

River in Sarayaku

We have been living among the Sarayaku for four days now, and every moment I spend interacting with these people I recognize the amount of strength and pride they show for themselves and their way of life. They have successfully resisted the oil company CGC in order to protect their surrounding environment that provides them with so much and continue to save the rest of the world with their constantly breathing “lungs of the earth”.

I believe the rest of the world needs to understand the fact that the people of this community are raised with an awareness of everything bigger than themselves. And they keep this knowledge with them throughout their everyday life. They are proud to live in a place that is so important to this planets´ survival.

When I return to Portland I hope to hold on to some of the awareness they have so graciously shared with me. I want to my community to gain this awareness and use it in their everyday lives as well, no matter how far away they may live from our green, prosperous source of air.

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Rasheed~

I think what the people back in Portland should kñow about Sarayacu is that they are a community thats trying to survive and they don´t just care about themselves and their family, but they care for everyone in their community. They are not afraid to stand up for what they beleve in, they don´t like people comming into their community and telling them what to do and how to live. For the past 4 days we´ve been in Sarayacu amd i´ve learned alot. I learned the real meaning of a minga, but in my interpretation it´s similar to a party, but only a traditional type. I learned that their means for transportation is walking to get to their destination. For me, the first time we took a walk to get to where we needed to go I thought to myself how do they do it, but then I realized that they´ve been doing this for a long time and if you just don´t think about how long the walk is you can do it to. Overall I think Sarayacu is a great place to visit, but there is a couple things you would need to adjust to and as soon as you do I bet you´ll like it just as much as I did, but hey don´t take my word for it.

I think something that I should bring back to Portland from this experience is being more community based and what I mean by that is thinking about other peoople and their struggles instead of just my family, myself and my struggles

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Dan~

Sarayacu

Organizing is one of the most difficult things to do! The Sarayacu have found a way to use this technique to prevent oil companies and other big business for destroying their land! Today, Sarayacu is a gorgeous area filled with life from both the people and species surrounding it! While in Sarayacu we were apart of a Minga!

Minga is a member from the community calls a pond the community for help. The Community gathers together and helps that person. When the they are done they Celebrate their accomplishment together!

The most important idea or fundamental I’m going to take away from this experience is the importance of working together!!! The Sarayacu are not just ensuring a better way of life for them, but the world. The Three best words to describe are BOLD, STRONG, AND WISE!

Departing the Amazon by plane

This experience has given me a lot of motivation! Just seeing how resource full the Sarayacu are makes me realize how grateful I should be. Before this trip I would Come to school late a lot even through I lived about 40 minutes away from my school. The Sarayacu has to walk at least an hour to there and back to get to school! WOW! The Sarayacu just amazing me by this!!!! This will stick with me for life.