Two weekends ago I went on a trip with 15 other people to see an indigenous territory that still exist here in Costa Rica. I believe there are 8 of them in total. They are all dispersed around the country in various parts deep in the mountains. This weekend I was fortunate to be able to travel there and see their culture and way of living. Unfortunately, we weren't able to take pictures during our stay, out of respect for the people. The name of the tribe is called Jameikari and their language is called Quabequa. Even though it was a great opportunity, I will probably not do this again. Seeing the people in the tribe and interacting with them was fun and I enjoyed it, but I did NOT like being in the jungle and the sleeping arrangements. The shower was also something else. I commend them for being able to live in such conditions.
The first day was not good for me. We rode on a bus for about three hours, then had to walk through the jungle for two hours, WITH OUR BACKPACKS (AND sleeping bags if we had one). I was so drained. I do not like hiking at all. There were so many steep hills. My legs and but got a work out though. But this was something very new for me and very challenging. When we arrived we didn't do much. Most of us sat in a classroom in the school that they built, and we talked and pretended to have a class. We learned some German phrases and phrases in other languages some people may have not known. Later that night we sat around a bonfire and talked. The next day we were able to talk more with the tribe. We had a workshop to learn some phrases and words in their language. They also taught us about how they live day to day. A lady was on the side breast feeding her baby. It was fine but how she did it was not normal for me. There were so many people in the room and she just whipped her breast out and started. She had no blanket or covering while she did it either. But anyway, the workshops were cool. We also learned how to make Chicha, which is an alcoholic drink they LOVE to drink. It's all the Costa Ricans talked about while anticipating the drink. Apparantly, the indigenous people drink it as if it's water, but those who don't drink it can get drunk fast I guess. It didn't look that good but I tasted it and it tastes like beer a little because it has yeast in it. There was no actual alcohol from a store in the drink. Later we walked higher in the woods and found plants they use to make medicine and a tree they use to make clothes. They also talked to us about traditions and rituals such as what happens when someone dies and "marriages". I put that in quotes but they don't actually believe in marriage. (If you want to know more about how they do that, leave a comment below or contact me through the contact page.) While up in the mountains, a girl passed out and it slightly frightened everyone. We were just doing so much walking and she didn't have much to drink. We quickly gave her water and rested for a while before heading back down the mountain. That night we slept in a tent inside the school (which wasn't that well built in my opinion). While putting up the tent, one of the boards that makes the floor, broke, and my friend's leg fell through. Then a little boy came a little later and fell in the whole but he got up and kept walking like nothing happened. Showering was also not the best. It was in a little building behind the school. There was a huge spider at the top of the door and the door didn't even close all the way. It was super dark and there was no light in the shower. I had to use a flashlight on my phone. The water was freezing. While showering I could see outside and just see all trees around me. I was really one with nature at that moment. Never again.
The day we left had to be the most memorable part of the trip. We were all trying to leave quickly because we could tell rain was coming soon. But before we left we had to do a goodbye/farewell dance with the people from the tribe. It's traditional. At that point I was fed up and so ready to get back to San Jose. While we were walking back down I prayed to God that he would watch over us and hold off the rain until we reached the bus. When we were almost half way there it started to rain. It quickly got harder and before we knew it, it was pouring raining. My hair, clothes, shoes, everything was getting soaked. At first I was a little frustrated but quickly had a change of heart. I was actually quite surprised at my response. Instead of getting angry I just thanked God for the rain because he made the rain and nature and is proud of it and happy with it, so I have no reason to complain. I also felt like it was a way for God to strengthen me, to show me that I can get through whatever he allows me to go through and that He is in control. Despite the rain, the slippery hills, the mud, the sweat, and being exhausted, I had peace. We had to eventually walked through basically rivers of mud. I had not planned on having to do that. I had on tennis shoes. By the time we got to the bus, my Jordans were completely trash, and also the socks I had on. Needless to say, it was a cold 3 hour bus ride back home for me. I had never be so excited to see my host home and family lol. I missed the food, the warm bed, hot shower, and heat. I'm glad I am now able to say I experienced such a thing as that though. It has really strengthened me.
The first day was not good for me. We rode on a bus for about three hours, then had to walk through the jungle for two hours, WITH OUR BACKPACKS (AND sleeping bags if we had one). I was so drained. I do not like hiking at all. There were so many steep hills. My legs and but got a work out though. But this was something very new for me and very challenging. When we arrived we didn't do much. Most of us sat in a classroom in the school that they built, and we talked and pretended to have a class. We learned some German phrases and phrases in other languages some people may have not known. Later that night we sat around a bonfire and talked. The next day we were able to talk more with the tribe. We had a workshop to learn some phrases and words in their language. They also taught us about how they live day to day. A lady was on the side breast feeding her baby. It was fine but how she did it was not normal for me. There were so many people in the room and she just whipped her breast out and started. She had no blanket or covering while she did it either. But anyway, the workshops were cool. We also learned how to make Chicha, which is an alcoholic drink they LOVE to drink. It's all the Costa Ricans talked about while anticipating the drink. Apparantly, the indigenous people drink it as if it's water, but those who don't drink it can get drunk fast I guess. It didn't look that good but I tasted it and it tastes like beer a little because it has yeast in it. There was no actual alcohol from a store in the drink. Later we walked higher in the woods and found plants they use to make medicine and a tree they use to make clothes. They also talked to us about traditions and rituals such as what happens when someone dies and "marriages". I put that in quotes but they don't actually believe in marriage. (If you want to know more about how they do that, leave a comment below or contact me through the contact page.) While up in the mountains, a girl passed out and it slightly frightened everyone. We were just doing so much walking and she didn't have much to drink. We quickly gave her water and rested for a while before heading back down the mountain. That night we slept in a tent inside the school (which wasn't that well built in my opinion). While putting up the tent, one of the boards that makes the floor, broke, and my friend's leg fell through. Then a little boy came a little later and fell in the whole but he got up and kept walking like nothing happened. Showering was also not the best. It was in a little building behind the school. There was a huge spider at the top of the door and the door didn't even close all the way. It was super dark and there was no light in the shower. I had to use a flashlight on my phone. The water was freezing. While showering I could see outside and just see all trees around me. I was really one with nature at that moment. Never again.
The day we left had to be the most memorable part of the trip. We were all trying to leave quickly because we could tell rain was coming soon. But before we left we had to do a goodbye/farewell dance with the people from the tribe. It's traditional. At that point I was fed up and so ready to get back to San Jose. While we were walking back down I prayed to God that he would watch over us and hold off the rain until we reached the bus. When we were almost half way there it started to rain. It quickly got harder and before we knew it, it was pouring raining. My hair, clothes, shoes, everything was getting soaked. At first I was a little frustrated but quickly had a change of heart. I was actually quite surprised at my response. Instead of getting angry I just thanked God for the rain because he made the rain and nature and is proud of it and happy with it, so I have no reason to complain. I also felt like it was a way for God to strengthen me, to show me that I can get through whatever he allows me to go through and that He is in control. Despite the rain, the slippery hills, the mud, the sweat, and being exhausted, I had peace. We had to eventually walked through basically rivers of mud. I had not planned on having to do that. I had on tennis shoes. By the time we got to the bus, my Jordans were completely trash, and also the socks I had on. Needless to say, it was a cold 3 hour bus ride back home for me. I had never be so excited to see my host home and family lol. I missed the food, the warm bed, hot shower, and heat. I'm glad I am now able to say I experienced such a thing as that though. It has really strengthened me.