My experience, your question: Should tourists be allowed to photogr...

I found myself in this situation once, in the Amazon. Only the danger is real.

After raining all morning the river is up. A Shuar Indian swims to the other side of the river and secures a rope for us to hold on to. Our group is to cross the river by holding on to the rope so we are not swept away by the rapids.

I decide to be one of the first to cross the river. If I face the fear I do it quickly before I can change my mind.

My boots give way to the rapids in the middle of the river.
The boots issued to me for hiking through the Amazon Rain Forest are too big, they quickly fill with water. I could not afford to lose these big boots in the middle of a jungle. Really go without boots like the Indians? There was no way could not lower my feet, the currents from the rapids are pulling me. I kept my feet scrunched in order to not lose my boots.

My hands grip the rope with me in paralyzing fear. One of our guides Juan made his way down the rope looks me in the eyes, and yells, "Use your arms." So I wasn't going to die that day. I look over at the river bank and spot one of the tourists I did not know taking photographs of my look of horror. Once on land I was too embarrassed and traumatized to ask about the photographs.

Here is my husband and me first arriving in the middle of the jungle I used this for my blog board once, so it is stretched looking.

The military in Quito, Equador allow these private small planes to fly out with supplies and we were aboard one of those planes. Flying just above the canopy of the rainforest. I begin to regret lying about my weight after the pilot announces the plane was too heavy.

We are next to the airstrip cut into the jungle near the river. Remember, back then there is no radar deep in the Amazon so if we crash it was over.

After that photograph, we got into a dugout canoe and head down the Amazon River.

Since I am not athletic the Shuar go to great strides to help me during the hike through the Amazon to a sacred place. I love these people and plan to write more about our experience with them.

Why would I make a trip like this since I am not usually into intense physical exercise? Intense for me I don't swim. Back in the 1980's when we took this trip, the rain forest was being rapidly cut down and this trip was for awareness. I read a book by John Perkins,
"The World Is As You Dream It." John, a CEO saw the devastation from the corporations and creates these tours.

After reading his book I decided to go and my husband quickly agrees.

Photograph of a Shuar Indian wikipedia

I don't remember any of those particular markings. I remember black tattoos and I remember the tribe was good to us and took care of us.

Our main guide is Juan from Equador and the other guides were the indigenous people, known as the Shuar. There were no maps or trails. Yes, they were once headhunters, but it has since been outlawed.

I will look for some photographs because I do believe in one box some survived the house fire.

I am not going to write a book here. This post is to make a point. There is much more that happens including the medicine man from the Bird People who leads the ayahuasca ritual.

Should people be allowed to photograph you in life-threatening situations?

It is clear to me that someone was standing behind that child in the gif from giphy doing absolutely nothing. And another was photographing him. We know he was in no danger, so it is alright. It is amazing how children spring back, he even checks his ear.

I am referring to everyday life. What do you think?

I remember a while back a lady doing selfies in front of a house fire smiling and the internet came down on her.

If you ever find yourself in imminent danger, how would you feel looking up to see a fellow tourist snapping photographs of you?