Since childhood, I had dreamed of visiting the Amazon. This place, known as the lungs of the world, had always fascinated me – a universe brimming with life, mysteries, and ancestral stories. When the opportunity to realize this dream arose, I began my journey in Benjamin Constant, a small municipality in the heart of Amazonas. My goal was clear: to meet the Indigenous peoples and immerse myself in the unique culture of this region.

My friend Cláudia and I were having lunch at Estefânia in “Espiral,” a macrobiotic restaurant with an esoteric bookstore.
In the middle of a delicious meal of lentil curry with tofu, amidst exchanges of personal news and heartfelt conversations, Cláudia excitedly said:
“Friend, I’ve decided to travel for a month to the Amazon. Do you want to come?”

DARE TO BIG GREAM

I had never traveled so far, and the thought of spending over 16 hours on a plane initially scared me. I had many dreams, but I also harbored many fears. Yet something within me screamed a big YES, and I felt an overwhelming excitement as my heart began to race.
Yes, I said yes to my dream, and the very next week, we were buying plane tickets and planning the trip itinerary.

We arrived in Brazil from Peru, navigating the Amazon River on a simple boat. The crossing, however, brought a scare I will never forget. Midway, the boat’s engine stopped working, leaving us adrift in the river, enveloped in absolute darkness. It felt as though we were immersed in palpable shadows. The sounds of the forest and the eerie silence of the river amplified our apprehension. But after tense moments, the boat finally restarted, and we continued our journey, relieved.

In Benjamin Constant, we were welcomed by Débora, a young woman who had moved there to study anthropology. Débora’s house was enchanting, with a breathtaking view of the surrounding trees. It was in her backyard that I had my first encounter with a cacao tree. The cacao fruit, unlike anything I had imagined, had a gelatinous pulp with a bitter and spicy taste, completely different from the sweet chocolate we know. Débora explained that the name “cacao” comes from the Mayan word kabkaj, a small detail that further connected me to the history and culture behind this fruit.

Our mornings at Débora’s home were simple and delightful: tapioca, papaya, and fresh coffee—a breakfast that became synonymous with comfort. It was Débora who introduced us to João, known as Tikuna, a local young man of Indigenous roots who would be our guide to explore the forest and meet the tribes still living in the region.

We followed João in a small canoe into the river, surrounded by the untouched beauty of the Amazon. We passed wooden houses raised on stilts, accompanied by the vibrant colors and songs of exotic birds. Our first stop was at a tribe where children played barefoot in the mud, kicking a cardboard box as if it were a ball. João explained that everything nature provides is valued there—rainwater, for example, is used for bathing and drinking.

On a walk through the forest, we came across a giant tree that took my breath away. The Indigenous people called it Samaúma, a sacred tree for traditional communities. According to legend, the base of the Samaúma houses an invisible portal connecting our reality to the spiritual universe. Locals always ask permission before passing beneath these trees, a gesture of respect that reflects their profound relationship with nature.

We visited other nearby communities, always by boat, but the terrain became challenging after heavy rains. The ground was covered in mud, and every step was a struggle to keep our sandals from slipping off. Even so, the children seemed to enjoy themselves, adapted to conditions that were a challenge for us.

João, with his calm demeanor and wisdom, shared the story of the Curupira, a mythical figure of the forest. He told us that the Curupira is a small being with red hair and feet turned backward, known for protecting the forest from intruders.
The legend of the Curupira dates back to the Indigenous peoples of the 16th century. He is seen as playful yet dangerous, capable of confusing and scaring those who disrespect nature. I was fascinated by the story, as I love local legends—they always bring me closer to the places I explore.

The forest, with its vastness and complexity, felt like a labyrinth to me, but João knew every trail, tree, and path. He guided us confidently, showing that the Amazon is much more than an ecosystem: it is a sacred home full of life, legends, and wisdom.

My journey through the Amazon was transformative for my soul. I realized that what we own does not define us. A boy can play joyfully with a simple cardboard box, far more content than a child with a football autographed by a famous club.

The river adventures and stories around the campfire deepened my connection with this magical land. I returned with more than just memories; I came back with a renewed admiration for simplicity, nature, and the cultures that preserve the essence of what it means to be human.

THE POWER OF THE MIND

It was almost nightfall, and the rule in the Amazon was clear: return home before dark. Without artificial lighting and with the challenge of crossing the river to Débora’s house, we knew the journey would be long and require attention.
We decided to end our visit and start heading back. However, something unexpected happened.
João Tikuna, our trustworthy guide, suddenly stopped.
He looked around with a doubtful expression, something rare for someone so experienced. Despite trying to hide it, the panic in his eyes was visible.
“I don’t remember where we left the boat,” he admitted hesitantly. A chill ran through my body, and the legend of the Curupira immediately came to mind.
That mischievous little dwarf with backward feet, protector of the forest, might have been playing tricks on us.

João, usually confident, said that the way back felt different from the way there. My mind was a mix of nervousness and sweaty palms—a common reaction for me in moments of tension.
But amidst the fear, I felt an inner strength telling me that everything would soon be fine. My confidence that we would find the way was so strong that it inspired the group, including João. I imagined and felt that we were already safely back at the boat.
This is one of the manifestation tricks I use because our thoughts can indeed shape our external reality.

Suddenly, he took a deep breath and exclaimed, “I know! It’s this way!”
And, as if by magic, we saw the boat waiting on the dark shore of the Amazon River.
That dense river, full of mysteries, crocodiles, and mud, never seemed so welcoming. It was a powerful lesson about the strength of thoughts and how our energy influences reality.

The next day, we said goodbye to Benjamin Constant and Débora, savoring the delicious cheese breads sold alongside street stalls offering fried fish.
I hugged João Tikuna, grateful for his incredible soul connection and wisdom, and we moved on to the next phase: a five-day journey on the Amazon River, from Tabatinga to Manaus, sleeping in hammocks aboard a boat.

Sleeping on the boat was a unique experience. Sharing that space with over a hundred people while the starry sky shone above was both challenging and magical.
During the day, incredible landscapes paraded before us: giant cotton trees along the banks and pink dolphins jumping in groups, bringing tears of emotion to my eyes.
But not everything was beautiful. I was deeply saddened to see other passengers tossing plastic bags directly into the river, an act we tried to counter by explaining the environmental impact. Unfortunately, environmental awareness remains a challenge in many parts of the region.

ALIENS ARE REAL

One night was particularly memorable. I couldn’t sleep, and as I tried to adjust in my hammock, I saw something strange in the sky. A yellowish light moved at high speed, in an unconventional manner. They weren’t satellites, as they don’t move that quickly.
Frightened, I woke Cláudia, my travel companion. She, with her characteristic calm, whispered: “They’re extraterrestrials. But they’re friends. They’re here to help us.”
Her words stayed with me. The trip, already transformative, gained a spiritual touch. For me, the Amazon is not just a physical place but also a portal for exploring beliefs, legends, and inner truths.

The journey through the Amazon was everything I dreamed of and more. I saw the cacao tree and tasted cacao in its purest form. I experienced the spirit of the Curupira, saw children playing with cardboard boxes instead of PlayStations, touched the skin of baby crocodiles and anacondas, and lost myself only to find myself again—in the vastness of the forest.

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU BELIEVE

Traveling has this transformative power for me—not only to connect with the world around me but also to strengthen my dreams, spirituality, and beliefs.
My childhood dream came true, and I left the Amazon with the certainty that life is as magical as we are willing to surrender to the unknown.
As I learned on this journey: never stop dreaming. Believe that anything is possible.