After our time visiting different schools in Lima all 20 of us headed to another location in Peru. I was assigned to Moyobamba with two other incredible multilingual learner teachers after our assignment to Oxapampa got rearranged due to the local airport closure.

Anytime, someone in Lima asked me where I was going next, I told them Moyobamba and their faces lit up. They would exclaim, “You are going to the JUNGLE BABY!” “Get your dancing shoes on” “People are happier in the jungle” “You are going to LOVE it”. So, with a packed 45L Deuter backpack, I couldn’t contain my excitement to be entering into the jungle life.

So far, I’ve found that life in Moyobamba is slower, sunnier, more explosive and vibrant. To get there, we took a little over an hour flight to Tarapoto and then a 2 and a 1/2 hour van drive to Moyobamba. The airport had one baggage claim, one bathroom, and about a million taxi drivers calling you to take their fare. Luckily our pre-booked taxi driver had a sign with our names on it, as well as potato chips, water, and some English Classic Rock waiting for us in the car.

Through very bumpy dirt roads and half worked on construction sites, we saw a very verdant landscape throughout our 2 and a 1/2 hours. All the greenery truly left me breathless (…well it was either the landscape or the bumpy car ride lol). From bright green plants, blue-hued mountains, and various sized homes with tin roofs or wooden slats….the jungle began coming to life.

Upon arriving at our beautiful hotel tucked behind some mountains and greenery, our amazing co-teacher, Julio eagerly greeted us. We settled into our jungle resort and gathered soon after for a walk downtown to Moyobamba’s Cultural Center and a light dinner. Everything was delicious! I could tell that the food here was lighter and maybe slightly healthier, endorsed by Julio, compared to some of the tasty food we tried in Lima. We hailed motortaxis to and from our destinations for about 4 or 5 sols and called it an early night falling asleep to the sounds of birds and bugs.

On Saturday, I woke with a desire to explore. Much like I always do when I travel, I grabbed my running sneakers and explored the best way I know how…by foot. During my run I meandered upon anti-abortion murals, a soccer game, and a construction site (see pictures above). For breakfast, I had some delicious fruit, eggs, and coffee. Hot take, the fruit here is just better here.

At around 11, Julio picked us up in a car and we began our morning hike up Morro de Calzada. Now, before leaving I am very happy about the questions I asked in our group chat to Julio, which included: Should I bring hiking shoes? Is it going to be a terrain with a lot of brush? Should I wear long pants? Do I need my hiking poles? Because of these questions and answers, I felt very prepared; however, my friends maybe did not.

Holly ended up using my hiking poles, Brenda borrowed my hat, Dara my bug spray, and I had liquid IV, after-bite lotion, and snacks to go around for those just-in-case situations. All together we were collectively physically prepared…maybe just not mentally.

This “casual hike” was definitely a straight up incline for 3+miles including rope climbs and rock scramblings. I was so so SO impressed by an abuela hiking in a gorgeous sunhat, dress, and practically slippers taking on the terrain. I noticed her look at her sons with an exasperated expression that yelled “this was your idea of a family hike?!”. Alas, we all made it and I truly had a blast.

My favorite part about the climb was definitely the quality time getting to know Julio, his previous life in Lima, his trip to America, all about his family, and his 20+ years of teaching experience. Tired, hungry, and exhausted the crew was in search of a very specific lunch….cuy. Otherwise, known as guinea pig.

Often eaten for celebrations for some or regularly for others. Cuy is often served flattened and fried with potatoes and its eyes, teeth, and claws looking directly into your soul…yummy. Of course, you have to try anything once and cuy is no exception. I found the meat very bony and ended up eating more of the potatoes than the guinea pig (I couldn’t stop looking at it’s teeth haha) but I was very happy I tried it! After that, we cooled ourselves off from the jungle heat with some fruit ice cream and made our way back to the hotel for a nap before the Corpus Christi Festival at night.

The Corpus Christi Festival is a holy day celebrated in the Catholic church; since Peru is a Catholic country their holy days are a BIG DEAL and they go all out! Stands and stands of little booths and people selling things were found at the Plaza of the Prelatura de Moyobamba church. In the stands you could find fish wrapped in leaves, fried and stuffed potatoes, meats on stick, heart, Juane (an Amazonian sticky rice filled with meat and wrapped in bijao or banana leaves), plantains sliced and filled with peanut butter and cheese, and finally an egg custard. Everything and anything you could imagine, cheap and delicious. Walking around I definitely got a lot of stares sticking out as a gringo and was sometimes approached being asked where I was from. The air and spirit of the night was lively and full of excitement. It was truly a great way to get to know Moyobamba more. We went home around 11pm tuckered out from the night’s excitement and liveliness.

It was a great and full first full day in Moyobamba and I am looking forward to enjoying more of the jungle life as I sing La Bamba by Ritchie Valens on repeat. ♫♪♪La La la, MoyoBAMBA!!!!♫♪♪

Peace & Love,

Sarah