On our journey up the Amazon River, we visited a small village of 100 people, Boca da Valeria ("Mouth of the Valeria River"). Children gathered around us, holding visitors' hands, and leading us around their village. Dressed in modern and traditional clothes, holding onto sloths, iguanas, and caimans, they wanted their photos taken.
We visited their school, saw their church, and wandered around their homes-on-stilts. These industrious people had adapted to the ever-changing river that provided food, work, and recreation.
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How do you welcome others into your world? (Photo: Children in Traditional Dress, Boca da Valeria, Brazil - Larry Gardepie) |
Our visit meant a day off school, but it was a workday of sorts as they collected tourist dollars for food, river trips, pictures, and selling locally made handicrafts. Though business was part of the day's focus, the overriding principles of Hospitality and Welcome were ever-present.
As visitors, we were members of their village for one day... part of their family.
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What do you bring to the relationship? (Photo: Young Boy and Baby Sloth, Boca da Valeria, Brazil - Larry Gardepie) |
We were thousands of miles from home, yet I felt At Home. Why?
We couldn't communicate in my language. People spoke Portuguese or the local dialect. We had some things in common -- kitchens, stoves, satellite dishes, but other things were unfamiliar or outdated -- outhouses, wildlife, houses on stilts six to eight feet high.
Why? The adults and children accepted us. They wanted to show us their Way of Life. We were people meeting other people. We were curious and interested in one another.
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Can you create and give something of yourself? (Photo: Artisan and His Creation, Boca da Valeria, Brazil - Larry Gardepie) |
Yes, I handed out a few dollars for pictures and handicrafts, but I never felt exploited or manipulated. I felt Family and Togetherness... thousands of miles from home and friends.
As our world order and what we know changes, there may be questions for us to consider:
- Do I feel alienated and misunderstood?
- Can I accept people different from what is familiar?
- Am I willing to create a welcoming and understanding environment?
In a time when we may feel a lack of power or control over what is happening, I would suggest we can influence the outcome more than we think.
- We have a choice in how we define Family and Togetherness.
- We can develop Curiosity and Interest in others.
- We can Welcome All into our World Village.
Your thoughts?