Finishing Jungle adventures/excursions and night out on the town

I've continued with my Spanish classes daily for ~4 hours and then an excursion which is usually around 2 hours. I've done a few where we visit a local Quechua community. It is a bit touristy but below is a Shaman that showed us all sort of plants. One turned into a soap by squishing it, another was leaf that worked as toilet paper. He also told us about a birth control leaf... after 10 kids it started working (eye roll).

He also rambled about some story where someone had a tumour no their liver and they couldn't afford  to surgery, so after taking ayahuasca, he saw a spider and somehow removed it. Although I largely think this guy was nuts he was super quirky.

Below is his blow dart, this was super powerful, we all did a little target practice. They sharpen the arrows with piraña teeth.

Below is a special character who needs a shoutout. This is Chichico (his apodo - or nickname). He's 18 and training to be a guide, he often was our driver. The kid is totally bonkers but has me non stop laughing. One time he cover eyes with a mask and pretended he was crying while driving the little speed boat side to side... scary, but fun!

Seen below is him having picked up a tarantula stopping buy Spanish classes to say hello.

Here I am helping prepare a local drink of yuca and sweet potato - called Chicha. The tribeswomen asked me if I would take over as Shaman over her community, unfortunately I had to decline as I have some flights booked.

So the lodge is in a very rural place, but they some how have a lil disco, we had a solid group and had a great time.

Chichico is down for the count... so we thought, he jumped up from this and hit the dance floor.

Below is coming back from the local zoo where they try to save all the animals. Apparently some birds get their wings broken and are sold on the black market. So when the police get them... they rescue them, and put them in cages here to live out their lives - bit sus.

Final night was a blast, 4 of us had gummies and learned how to play Cuarenta - a cool Ecuadorian card game. Very much felt like a cottage. Chichico was laughing for like an hour, was a blast. 

I'm now back in Quito and starting Spanish school Monday and will also be doing a homestay. I was informed that the family I'm staying with contains a husband (74), wife (68), daughter (40)... this will be interesting! Likely gonna have to come back for Galapagos because I don't have time right now, Spanish is the priority! 

I will be heading to Costa Rica August 26th, looking into this program https://www.schooloftheworld.org - Spanish classes, surfing, yoga and photography at one place, wowwwwww.