In the jungle...

Hello!

As I write this I am in the closest town (Puyo) from where we live in the middle of the jungle which is an hour and a half along the worst road in the world! I am absolutely loving it here. I live in a house in the middle of the jungle with three other volunteers who are so nice! We teach English at three little schools along the Arajuno road which we get to by hiking through the jungle then hitching a lift or catching a dodgy bus! We teach in the mornings and the children range from 4 to 14. In the afternoon we write lesson plans for the next days and chill out in the jungle! I am eternally greatful to Dave (my Godfather) who bought me such great waterproofs as it rains constantly here! (I should have guessed given that we are in the rainforest!) However, when it isn´t raining the views are absolutely incredible across the jungle, apparently when it is really clear you can see Peru! We have hammocks in the house so we lie in them writing diaries and reading in the middle of the amazon...very sureal!

This weekend my friend and I went on a trek into the jungle with one of the local families. We walked all day in the rain then camped in the jungle eating food cooked in leaves on an open fire and maggots which apparently are a delicasy! We then hiked back up through river and waterfalls to our house for a well deserved shower - we have hot water which is such a luxury!

It is amazing living here and becoming part of the jungle comunity. Everyone is so friendly and greatful that we are teaching their children skills which hopefully thery will have for life. We try to intergrate as much as we can into the community with football matches, meals together and just sitting chatting and playing the guitar! My Spanish is improving masses which is great and means that I can communicate alot more confidently. The teaching is great but a little frustrating as the children are so enthusiastic but not alot seems to sink in so it is a challenge to think of interesting ways to teach and get them to not only learn English but understand it too.

This bit of my trip feels totally different to everything else I have done which is great and I love it. I have been away for 19 weeks now, such a long time but the time has flown and I am still loving every second. (have another 11 weeks to go!)

I hope everyone is ok at home, I am thinking of you all and can´t wait to see you soon
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