07/05/19 - Presidente Figueiredo

We have arrived in the Amazon!

Some of us exchange students started off of the day with 4 hours of sleep, while others (the unfortunate) with only 2. Although we were all walking with our eyes closed, we made it through a lovely day. First thing in the morning we had our orientation to go over the rules and plans of the trip, and once that was finished, we headed off to enjoy lunch on the riverside…and also swim in the river; we’re curious teenagers, and what else do you do with extra time and a body of water. Since we were hoping for a refreshing dip, it was quite surprising when we entered into a river that was the temperature of a children’s pool, (the ones that are mostly pee). After our river “bath” we made our way to an animal rehabilitation center. At the center there were many different animals that were being nursed back to health, including turtles and a variety of birds; but their main focus was Manatees. Manatees have been hunted by Indians for food for hundreds of years here in Brazil. They provide a lot of meat and are also very high in fat, so it’s an easy meal solution. Although this is good for the human race, it’s not good for the Manatee population. Baby manatees stay with their mother and rely on them for alimentation for two years after they are born. If their mother is killed however, they become orphaned, and will also end up dying without the care that they are in need of. So this rehabilitation center receives a lot of orphan babies and takes care of them until they are old enough to live on their own. Manatees are a huge part of the Amazon’s food cycle, and I think this trip today made us all realize how important they really are.

- Carmen.

After the visit of the animal rehabilitation center, we made two hours drive through the small villages of Amazon to finally stop at a river where, with the safety instructions of our guide, we were able to swim and have fun on this natural waterblogan, nevertheless dangerous.

The return in the bus was silent, we all slepped because we had no time to rest the last night. We arrived at the hotel and had free time to enjoy the pool and the others activities like the ping pong or billiards. We all ate very well and we had the time to all do more knowledge with all the others exchange students before going to bed at the curfew at 22h30. It was a great day and I hope than the next will be even better !

- Lucile.