Adventures in Peru :: It's Simple Love

My name is Rachael and I am the creator of the blog It's Simple Love! I have been blogging since February. I started blogging to share my adventures in South America and my blog has developed into a place to share what I hold dear. Today I am going to share one of my many adventures in the Amazon Jungle of Peru. Below are some photos from the Belen Market and floating village of Belen.

First off, I want to say thank you to Blair for asking me to guest post! It is an honor. I have been following Blair for a while now and I find her honorable in her efforts to change the world and her are posts pleasant, honest, and real. Thank you Blair! You are an inspiration.


You can't image all the animals, fruits, veggies, and other products are sold here. Among the most unique I saw: alligator (they eat he tail of it and it's delicious), turtle (for turtle soup), tiny jungle deer, paiche (a ten food fresh water fish).


There are many elixirs and concoctions made from different plants and animals sold in the market along with the skins of what animals were killed to make the elixirs.


My husband and I ate grubs. They taste wasn't bad but the thought of it was. And yes, those are giant bugs.


The floating village which is located just below the market. The houses are anchored and move up and down during the rainy season. During the dry season they rest on stilts.


Schools, gas stations, grocery stores are among the houses that float here. The natives also sell food and other items house to house by boat. Prostitution also occurs on the boats at night on the water.

Below are giant lilly pads growing in someone's "backyard".


When (and I say "when" not "if" because I am afraid you have to go)... eh hem... when, you go Iquitos, a city in the middle of the Amazon Jungle, you need to visit the Belen Market and the floating village of Belen. It is a remarkable sight that shows a remarkable way of live. If seeing this village doesn't change your perspective on life, well, I am not sure what will.

My husband and I traveled Peru and Argentina for four months earlier this year and I'd have to say the Amazon Jungle is one of my favorite places on earth. It is rich of culture, folk tales, wild life, shamans (AKA witch doctors), and creatures big and small. It is ridiculously hot and sweaty and there are abnormally large critters to be found, however it's completely worth all the discomfort.

Iquitos was founded in the 1800's during the rubber boom. Inside the city there are beautiful colonial buildings and many historical sites founded during the 1800's. Along the ride of the city lie houses on stilts, slums, and poverty. In the jungle surrounding it there are natives who still live off the land and wear grass skirts. The floating City of Belen is a place of it's own among the great city of Iquitos. It is also one of the most dangerous parts of the city. When you go, be sure to take limited amount of cash, no wallet, no jewelry, and wear plain clothes.

It is smart to have a guide. That way you can understand the significance of what is going on and it is safer. We went with a local which is the best way to go in my opinion. Our guide was from the floating village and was respected among the people. We were safe with him.

Going to the Amazon Jungle has been one of my life goals. I am so grateful I was able to fulfill my dream of visiting. Wherever your dream travel spot is, I hope you make it there. Make it sooner rather than later.

Comments

  1. ahh I love Rachel's blog! I am an avid follower! Her posts are always so insightful (like this one) and the photography is amazing.

    Beau xox

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  2. Wow, those floating villages are crazy! I'll be honest, you are way more adventurous than I. Those bugs are freakin me out a little.

    Great guest post!

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  3. Sounds like an amazing adventure, and those lily pads seem like something from a movie!! So neat to see they actually exist!

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  4. love that you're a guest poster today! :)

    and you are one brave soul. one look at those grubs in real life and i may have passed out.

    but way to go, grabbing life by the horns! :P

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  5. Most adorable photo = hubby and grubs... ha... oh man I am not sure if I could have been so brave... bad a** Rachel Rock on. This place looks AMAZING... what a fabulous adventure! The village is beautiful...and those animal skins... yikes...!

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  6. wonderful pictures.
    i need time.
    i need money.
    i need a plan.

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  7. Great guest post Rachael, I'm making my blog rounds today and am headed your way soon, lol :)

    Blair, thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving such a nicey. I look forward to seeing more of your blog too!!

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  8. lovely guest post rachael!

    love all the photos too :)

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  9. I adore this post...I would love to go there one day and those photos are just stunning....The floating villages are amazng! WOW:)
    Great post sweetie:)
    Kisses and have a great one!

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  10. first of all -- what an amazing adventure!! I love the pictures, this is really a great post ;)

    and second of all: you and your husband are soooo brave! I could never eat giant bugs like that!!!

    xoxo
    Olivia

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  11. a floating village, eh? Wow. I never knew...so lovely. I enjoy both of your blogs...DAILY! Shhhh, don't tell the bosses.

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  12. you are so brave! the bugs are freaking me out! lol

    what a beautiful guest post!!

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  13. great photos! my sister went to iquitos on a mission trip twice in high school & she fell in love with the people. would love to see that part of the world one day.

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  14. Oh what a fabulous post! What an adventure! I absolutely love Rachael's blog. I got introduced to your lovely blog through hers. Looking forward to following along :)

    Dawn

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  15. I'm so happy that I stumbled from Rachael's lovely blog to yours and fist of all, love this post about her travels to the Amazon Jungle. One of my favourite things to do is to read about other people's travel experiences.

    I look forward to reading more!
    p.s. love your philosophy...i'm now a follower.

    Rambles with Reese

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  16. Fascinating post! I love hearing about Rachael's adventures, but I must say I hate the thought of anyone eating a tiny deer! Oh no! XO!

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  17. What an amazing place - but all those poor animals! I couldn't cope with that I don't think :)

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  18. Wow, what a great post!! I love reading about her travels, the floating village looks soo neat!

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  19. Amazing photos,I love the concoctions one and the lily pad. wow! the grubs pic reminds me of the show, "Amazing Race", I think if I was in it, I would be out, (sorry no bugs for me)

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  20. Good guest post! I like reading about stuff like this -- I love traveling and finding out about places I don't know much about. P.S. I would definitely try grubs! I am an adventurous eater :)

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  21. eww, no way, giant bugs, lol.

    such a great post by rachael, who btw love her blog. so glad you both gathered to bring us this amazing adventure. enjoyed reading and the photos are just wonderful. thank you ladies.

    oxox

    ~ liz

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