Tarapoto

Tarapoto is a gateway city to the Peruvian Amazon, and at 1,000 feet above sea level is blessedly cooler than the rest of the rainforest.

We are staying at the lovely Hotel Plaza del Bosque, for the #HackTheRainforest gathering of technologists and indigenous activists. In between talks and coding sessions, we’ve had a wonderful time exploring the town and surrounding area. The local fish cooked in banana leaf, called patarashca is delicious, and pairs well with a refreshing Cusqueña beer. Later, after a handful of infused jungle spirits, I found myself at Anaconda Discoteck, dancing awkwardly to cumbia with new friends late into the night.

For an outdoor activity break we went rafting on the Rio Mayo, which has class 3-3.5 rapids hidden in the silty water. It was a fun experience for the whole team, and while many of the Peruvian participants were used to rivers as transportation, their use as rollercoaster was new and exciting. A friend used his GoPro to film my epic battle with the waves, and when we uploads it via the incredibly slow net connection, I’ll post it here.