The Jungle

Nine months ago, I distinctly resisted the thought of going into the jungle. It is a mysterious place, where anything outrageously bad could happen. Danger and nearly-naked people with face paint and spears lived there. Yet, when asked to visit, I couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity!

I have returned home from a brief trip to Kalimantan. Yes, the jungle. The main river’s water looks like cappuccino. We went up a smaller river, where we would often have to duck and dodge tree branches. There, the water was like black coffee!

I went up the river, passed by Monkey Island, and even stepped foot into a few villages there. (A few naked kids, but no one with face paint or spears chasing after us.) The people were definitely friendly and hospitable, full of joy and life! We sat in their homes and drank tea with them. Juliana and P. Rudy.

I never imagined a farm in the jungle. We ate rice, veggies and fruit from their farm. The food was delicious! We tasted fresh pineapple - even better than any that I ate in Hawaii! The weirdest thing I ate was not crocodile or monkey, but fried jackfruit. Yum!

I’ve been watching a handful of my greatest personal fears come to life. I still haven’t even been here for a full month yet! It’s been one of the most petrifying months of my life. But I’ve been protected and encouraged at just the right times. And, at the core of me, I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey... I can’t imagine what could possibly be ahead in the next 11 months.