Wilman finds a frog: Hemmy's not into it

My first clue that I am a complete unabashed wuss when it comes to the various creatures found in the jungle was when Wilman mentioned our sandals were an open invitation to biting red ants. Soon after that I felt the bites and immediately began wailing "GETTHEMOFFGETTHEMOFFGETTHEMOOOOOFFFF!!!" while swatting at my feet and basically throwing a hissy. No worries, Wilman told me—while the poison had the potential to kill me, he could find the cure in the jungle.

We were on our first activity at San Miguel del Bala, a hike in the area surrounding the lodge to learn about natural medicines. Wilman's depth of knowledge was impressive, but it was never clear how the medicines were first discovered. So this plant, boiled into tea, helps diarrhea. And this plant, mashed and made into a poultice, reduces swelling. But how many varieties of prep methods were matched with types of plants until these powers were determined?

Wilman didn't know the answer. He was our age and had grown up always knowing which plants were the medicines. The beautiful walk lasted about an hour and a half; without the further explanation of WHY the plants became known as medicines, it seemed almost too long. Wilman's constant checking of the time seemed to imply he agreed.

My favorite plants were not medicinal. The walking palm is a tall, spindly tree with exposed roots covered with thorns. As one "leg" dies, another grows in the opposite direction; slowly the tree makes its way across the forest floor. Another tree produced shells full of a cotton-like material; Wilman confirmed that people in the community would gather the fuzz to make fabric.

Jungle bugs...eww

On the way back to our lodge, Wilman hushed us and pointed out a long tail unfurled beneath another lodge. We crept slowly around to the back while Hemmy stood guard in front. In eagerness to see it more closely I took one step too far and spooked it. The instant it took off I heard Hemmy's loud scream that she thought she saw a dinosaur...the jungle quickly makes fools of us all.

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