Cocabila and Orinoco communities of western Pearl Lagoon

As we walked onto land, Cocabila's children slowly gathered around us. Boys were throwing sticks, rocks and even a machete into a tall tree trying to knock down some stubborn fruit in an attempt to impress us. Town girls were intently listening to the way we spoke. A boy asked if I was from England and if I knew a Mr. Parker. The town kids were so friendly, even our kids mentioned how friendly the local children were. As we walked through town, one of the boys kept asking me questions. So I asked him one, "Do you have any brothers or sisters?" He nodded and in a thick English Creole accent replied, "Yea the whole town are my brothers and sisters." I was speechless because that was one of the most sincere and beautiful things that I have heard in a longtime. Imagine, for a moment, these children are growing up in a community where there is no separation between community and family? Many people who visit communities like Cocabila see what they have, by way of their possessions, which isn't much. Sadly, many leave places like this without ever realizing the communities true wealth is in their shared experiences, their togetherness and their happiness. For the local's sake, I hope our mad world never touches them more than through what sports they occasionally watch when the satellite signal permits.
     

Beautiful town 

Town children followed us all around, and to think this isn't even all the kids that were there.

We literally got drenched on the 1 hour boat ride across the lagoon.

We had a tarp to help keep us dry.

Cocabila

Arriving in Cocabila

The picturesque pier 

A bold rooster and a colorful house.

The kids were entertained by us. 

Old timer repairing the town's nets.

The satellite dish allows for an occasionally soccer match but electricity is so expensive T.V.s are seldom used, which probably explains why the town's people are so wonderful.

Handcrafted transportation

I have often felt that the happiest families live in the tiniest homes.

Happy kids

The boy, to the right, told me that the whole town are his brothers and sisters.

Levi, center, hanging out with his new friends.

No tree too big to climb.

Imagine if a bunch of tourists went to your house and started climbing your tree with your children. These people were so chilled and truly serve as a reminder of how we should all take a breather and have more fun.

Indigenous people can still be seen in Pearl Lagoon.

Each cluster of flowers was a foot tall

Making corn rum the old school way, and yes I had some. 

Distilleries provide much needed income for town's folk.

Children and pets, inseparable.

We bought lunch at someone's house. 

Sailors making use of black plastic for sails.

The corn rum committee

Riding the Wawashang river.

Tranquil ride along the Wawashang river.

Best seat in the house.