It’s a week of lasts. Last meal of rice and beans. Last mile and a half hike to the station. Last moments with Jefferson proudly saying “My name is Jefferson” in English with the biggest smile on his face. Last time shoveling dirt and mixing cement. Last morning breakfast call. And the last time teaching the future of Santa Cruz.

Sitting here in Iquitos, waiting to leave for the airport, we think of the many lessons Project Amazonas has given us the past 6 weeks.

Iquitos: Once the world’s wealthiest city is now covered in rusted iron fences, cracked hand painted tiles, and a run down version of riches the rubber industry once gave to the town. Iquitos taught us how wealth is temporary and how fast everything can change.

Rainforest: This Biodiversity hotspot is an overwhelming collage of green at first sight. So many different plants, animals and insects that they all blend together as one. Being here for 6 weeks we were able to stop and take in the rainforest into pieces. Closing your eyes you can hear the birds chirping and the owl’s hooting over the buzz of insects flying. Open them and you notice the strength of the trees, how different each and every plant is, and how everything works together. The beauty of the rainforest was in the interconnectivity, teaching us how small acts together can do big things, like how all the small plants and animals create the beauty of the rainforest.

Teaching: The school mainly focuses on memorization with lots of songs and repetition. We came in with the hopes to teach English, and we may have taught basic English skills but most importantly we showed the students of Santa Cruz creativity, the fun in learning, and how much we care about them. They in return taught us a passion for change, a drive to learn, and constant happiness no matter what living condition they are coming from.

Santa Cruz: A town of crooked wooden huts, large gardens, and smiling faces. The people of Santa Cruz taught us the happiness in simplicity.

It is a bitter sweet goodbye to the Amazon. We have all become close bonding over the constant sweating, never ending bug bites, and long hike to the site. The relationships in the community have been life changing. The beauty, poverty, and happiness have been overwhelming. We are proud to have made it 6 weeks in the Amazon Rainforest and are excited to tell our friends and families the stories of the people of Santa Cruz.

• Ellen Potocsnak