Angel of the Amazon part 9

March 30th 1875
I awoke from my slumber today due to a light morning drizzle. For a second I had no idea where I was. Then I looked over to see the two huddled masses of feathers next to me. As amazing as it is to be living among the cuāuhtmeh, the annoyances of sleeping under the stars remain unchanged. At least Zaphod and his mother had feathers to keep themselves dry and their sleep undisturbed.

Despite this rude awakening, I had wonderful experience today. The tribe members were much more friendly today, a few of them even decided to try and groom me. I'm sure they were just trying to be kind, but it got a bit annoying. One particular female was a bit too friendly, continually getting into my personal space and I believe she might have been trying to flirt with me! Thankfully, she got the message that I wasn't interested and left me alone.

I've been taking notes about their society and I find it quite interesting. They don't seem to have a monetary system and just share what they have. They also seem to have a system of professions. Those that make tools, those that gather fruit and nuts, there are those that lookout for danger and protect the tribe, those that make weapons, and so on and so forth.

Zaphod and his mother are apparently hunters. They had disappeared for several hour and then came back later with a peccary. They offered me some, but I respectfully declined. Zaphod seemed disappointed though...I do hope they don't take any offense to my actions. I did notice a few interesting things about their hunting party. First of all, their feather colorations were all muted, at least so in comparison to other colorations I've seen. There were greens, browns, and light yellows. Secondly, coming back from hunting, they all had leaf crowns on their heads and green paint on their faces. I wonder if they specially choose hunters based on their feather colors. They do seem to have a good sense of camouflage based on the other precautions they take.

Although I like it here very much, I do have to wonder when I will be heading back. My men will be worried sick. I don't think they even know whether I'm alive or not. I'll see if I can get Zaphod to take me back tomorrow, at least to check up on them and let them know I'm alright.

March 31st 1875
Zaphod and his mother had left to go hunting a little after I had woken up, so I didn't get a chance to ask him. They let me sleep in this morning while they prepared to go fishing. Apparently there is not a difference in position of hunter and fisherman.

In the meantime I got to observe more about the tribe. I saw some children playing a game with an adult. From what I could see of it, it was like the follow-the-moving-cup game, where someone would hide a ball under one of three cups and you had to follow it with your eyes as they move the cups around. In this game the cups were hollow clay balls with a hole in each one. A single large nut  would be placed in one, and each ball would have the hole be covered up. They would then be placed in a basket and swished around in said basket. The children would then choose one and crack it open. If the nut was inside, they got to keep it. I saw them play this several times and it was certainly fun to watch.

Another small thing the younger children did to entertain themselves was to drop pebbles from their nests to the forest below and listen for the sound that they make bouncing off of branches on their way down. I feel bad for the poor animals that might get hit on the head from one of those falling projectiles. They also seem to chase each other and play fight as all children do. I think I also saw one playing with what appeared to be a knot ball of plant materials but I'm not sure. I didn't get the best look.

I assume the children and cherubs don't have many toys. When I first gave Zaphod the prizes from our little learning game, he acted as if had never seen anything like them or that they were some rare objects. However, I could just put that up to the fact that he hadn't seen those specific kinds of toys before. Besides that, even from observation I have noticed very few children toting around small toys or playing with them.  As for a reason why this is, it might be the lack of materials. They don't seem to have much ability to sew, yet they do seem to understand the basics of tanning a hide. The most abundant material they have that can withstand the recklessness of a child is plant, which can decay if not properly dried. I feel a bit bad for the poor things. When I was a child I had many playthings to keep me busy, and these children are lucky if they can have even one toy!

Speaking of toys, some of the toddler aged cherubs decided to make me one! They decided to climb all over me. Thanks to some of the parents, their dog pile was quickly broken up. Zaphod should be returning soon, I'll be sure to ask him then about returning to my camp.