Misguided by the Guide

We journeyed to El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s rainforest.

After a steep drive uphill, we took a short dirt path, passing many banana, plantain, and other varieties of trees that appeared foreign to New Yorkers.

Our guide, Tristin, led us to a gorge surrounded by gigantic boulders and a waterfall that flowed into an emerald whirlpool.

It was just us in our own Shangri-la.

After a quick swim, the guide eagerly took my friend and me down the gorge towards another waterfall.

We climbed into a cave and through a waterfall.

It was magical.

It was hard to imagine this lush oasis was once a volcano.

We told the guide this short trail was too difficult for the children, and he suggested going up the gorge instead.

We took just the children and nothing else, thinking we would be back shortly.

We journeyed uphill barefoot, between the igneous rocks and the green rainforest.

It was treacherous and required holding the hands of the little ones, lifting, and carrying them throughout.

One ravine was so steep and long, we had to use a rope.

We tag teamed the kids and got them through each scramble.

Each time we made it through an obstacle, the guide told us the destination was just up above.

After hearing him say this for the fourth time, we started to question him.

We were hiking for almost 45 minutes and brought no water, food, or cell phone.

We were ready to call it a day, but luckily the children were listening.

We went deeper into the rainforest through more crevices, around cliffs, and over boulders.

We passed more waterfalls, only this time they were steeper, longer, and all the more breathtaking.

We were very careful with each step, but were aware that all it would take was a minor misstep, and a child would be sobbing.

We wanted to call it quits several times, but together we journeyed and the guide seemed confident.

Finally, what seemed like a never-ending trail ended at yet another beautiful whirlpool.

We swam in the natural pool, and congratulated the little ones on how proud we were of them.

The return was no easy feat either, but we finally made it down and quickly grabbed our water and devoured the snacks we had left behind.

We couldn’t believe we did the hike, let alone with our children.

We drove back sore, content, and ravenous.

I contemplated, did the guide misguide us?

Taking young children on quite an adventure without water or food seemed foolish.

Upon returning to our accomodations, I showered and noticed a bit of rainforest mud on my foot.

I cleaned it and thought, I left only my footprints.

Then I realized, I left the rainforest, but the rainforest didn’t leave me.

It was a day we will never forget.

Maybe Tristin wasn’t a guide. He was a shaman.