Our guide's name was Kanai. I believe there is an option to pilot the raft yourself, but I wouldn't recommend it. Kanai made it look easy, but when I tried it myself I developed a whole new admiration for him. I had heard that it was a slow, tranquil ride, so I was a somewhat surprised to see some little rapids. For the most part though, the water is quite still and the raft is pushed forward by the raft man’s pole, not by the current.
As a training and survival exercise, some Bermudian soldiers were trying to make their way down the river as well. They were having a difficult time of it; they were also having a lot of fun. In the middle of the trip we stopped to eat on the shore. I could have listened to the cook's beautiful accent for hours. She was quite savvy about how much to charge, but I don't blame her at all for that. She's just making a living. Later my traveling companion Samantha revealed to me that this was the day that she got to like me. I can’t help but wonder why. I made her laugh so hard at one point that she nearly lost control. Or maybe she admired my willingness to take the helm and give Kanai some rest. Or maybe it’s the Rio Grande itself, with its gentle flow and quiet beauty. You just can’t help but be happy in a place like that.