The expedition leaves Belém. The Canadians leave three great days behind them at the metropolis of Amazon: the Badi Assad concert at Teatro da Paz (Theatre of Peace); the caboclo colors, shouts and lights festival at the Açaí street fair, at the Pará’s islands; Miguel Chicaoca and the thrill of photographing with a box of film at the pinoli studio; the Sunday at the Praça da República (Republic Town square), where the group was lead by the colorful and lyric arrastão* “Arraial do Pavulagem”; the ice-cream made of regional fruits as the sunset at Estação das Docas (Dock Station).

Backpacked, we start towards to Ver-o-Rio Port in order to take the boat and get to Barcarena, where the Cupuaçu community waits for us with a tight schedule.

At Barcarena, we make a quick stop to come on board of one of the ICA boats, which has gone ahead to explain the expedition’s one day delay.

 And the waters truly do encounter at Cupuaçu. Transparent, strong waters, conducting the most pure energy.

We can already feel the warmth of Cupuaçu’s hospitality as soon as we enter the river top that leads to that community, where children come to pick us up in a canoe.

After sailing a few meters in the canoe and walking through little bridges made from “miritizeiro” trunks, we get to “Dona” Albina’s house, where the community has prepared our reception under a big shed at the backyard, ornamented with little flags from the Festa de São João** (St. John’s Festival). They serve us a very tasting feijoada*** and give us many, many hugs, as if we are friends who hadn’t seen each other for a long time.

At night, we have a party, blessed by all the June saints, and have corn meal, tamarino juice and dance the quadrilha**** . The “Waters Encounter” expedition dances the forró and the carimbo, their feet on the ground, their spirits high, with all the love they were received with.

After dancing, the community and the students gather at the center of the big shed for a quick chat, where everyone speaks a little about their expectations on this encounter, and what will come from the meeting of two such different cultures, gathered with one single purpose: Nature.

Later, the young Canadians and Pará people from the ICA face their first great rain under an improvised (yet resilient) shed made out of wood and straw. This is an adventure they face with great spirits and humor.