Last weekend I was given the opportunity to experience Kultura Kamp in Manabayukan, Tarlac, Philippines with the indigenous Aeta community. Kultura Kamp is the only travel tour in the Philippines that takes you to the villages of the indigenous communities to experience their culture firsthand. They help in maintaining the sustainability of these communities within the country. The participants will immerse themselves into the lives of the indigenous tribes by living with foster families in their villages. Their aim is to bridge the cultural gap between the indigenous and the urban Filipinos, and to open them up to mind-altering insights that will affect their lives.

Here is my story:
After two hours on a carabao wagon under the blazing heat of the sun, I saw the village from a distance.

We were greeted by the kids playing in the river and they stopped when they saw us. The kids crowded around us enthusiastically and climbed the small hill to the village with us. There is no electricity and all the homes are made out of bamboo. I was introduced to my foster family and welcomed to their bamboo hut with my foster parents, their five children, two cats, and three kittens.
We went down the the river with the children as they led the way. They immediately jumped in the river and sent water flying through the air. I laughed, went in the water with everyone and sat by the stream. I laid my head on a rock as the water rushed all around me. My ears were right beneath the surface, listening to the sounds of the river and the rocks rolling under me. I can hear the faint laughter and joy of the children underwater. I laughed as they grabbed the strings of green algae on the rocks and used it as crowns and wigs.