Venturing to the early market along the Amazon River, casting a line for piranhas, chasing after pink river dolphins, and visiting an indigenous tribe—all while being mercilessly swarmed by mosquitoes until my scalp went numb.
It was a fleeting glimpse, a superficial taste of the experience, yet simply gliding in a small boat on this mighty river, feeling the wild wind rush past, stirred an indescribable excitement in my heart. This is the Amazon!
I still instinctively write it as “Amazon” rather than “Amazons.” Both are phonetic translations, with little practical difference. But in all the stories that fueled my childhood imagination, it was always “Amazon.” Somewhere along the way, the official term shifted to “Amazons.” Was it to avoid confusion with the American tech giant, so the name wouldn’t conjure images of online shopping instead of the lush rainforest?
One day, I dream of meandering slowly from the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle all the way to the Brazilian mouth of the great river. Taking my time, savoring every moment, letting life unfold at its own pace.
Piranhas may be small, but they leave a big impression…
