The narrator and his friend Caspar travel to Leticia, Colombia, a small city in the Amazon rainforest, to experience traditional medicine with a shaman. They meet a local guide named Helder, who they are initially skeptical of, but ultimately decide to trust. Helder takes them on a two-day journey into the jungle, where they participate in a ritual called "combo," which involves applying frog venom to their skin. The venom causes intense physical reactions, including pain, sickness, and swelling. After the ritual, the group experiences a sense of euphoria and reports feeling more focused and energized. The narrator reflects on the experience, noting that it was intense but ultimately rewarding.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, without including opinions:
1. The narrator is in Leticia, a city in the southern point of Colombia.
2. Leticia is accessible only by plane or boat, and is located in the Amazon rainforest.
3. The narrator wants to try traditional medicine with a shaman in the jungle.
4. The narrator meets a man named Elder, who offers to guide them through the experience.
5. The narrator is initially skeptical of Elder, but decides to trust him.
6. The experience involves applying frog venom to the arm, which causes pain and sickness.
7. The narrator and their companion, Caspar, both undergo the experience.
8. The experience is intense and causes physical symptoms such as swelling, fever, and vomiting.
9. After the experience, the narrator and Caspar both feel weak and sick.
10. The narrator and Caspar are given a photo of themselves after the experience, which shows them looking swollen and disfigured.
11. The narrator and Caspar spend two days with Elder in the jungle, during which time they undergo the combo experience.
12. The narrator is back in Leticia after the experience, and reflects on the experience as unforgettable.
13. The narrator mentions that Elder speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and provides his information for anyone interested in having a similar experience.
14. The narrator is joined by a filmmaker and friend named Caspar, and provides their information as well.