Sunshine Coast woman, Jordan Hauenschild, falls in love with Tarzan in Amazon jungle
A young Sunshine Coast woman will be reunited with her Tarzan after their love story went viral. She’s given up her finance job and luxurious western life to move over with him and his family in the Amazon jungle. See the latest. VIDEOS
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A young SEQ woman will finally be reunited with her Tarzan after their love story went viral on TikTok.
Jordan Hauenschild, 26, is giving up her finance job and luxurious western way of life to live with him and his family in the Amazon jungle.
She first met the love of her life, Indigenous Ecudadorean man Pitiuruk, through Instagram.
In two weeks she is leaving behind her life on the Sunshine Coast to live with her Tarzan.
From Kawana on the Sunshine Coast, Ms Hauenschild has spent her entire life by the sea. She attended Pacific Lutheran College and studied psychology at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
“I enjoyed my office job but always had a longing to go overseas and discover the world and myself,” she said.
After coming across Pitiuruk on the Instagram explore page in December last year Ms Hauenschild messaged him on a whim in the hope of learning more about his culture.
She messaged to tell him she thought he was “gorgeous”.
When he replied she was stunned and their love story began.
What followed was late night chats, video calls, and teaching each other about their way of life.
Pitiuruk’s and his family lived in the province of Pastaza, Puyo canton Amazonia Ecuador.
They offer guided tours and teach visitors about their ancestral culture.
After months of talking and video chatting everyday Ms Hauenschild boarded a plane to South America to meet her new “gorgeous” Instagram friend.
She booked a Contiki trip to Peru, Argentina and Brazil and after a 30 hour flight and a five hour bus trip she finally arrived.
She spent two weeks living and learning his way of life.
“On the plane over I realised I hadn’t really thought any of this through and felt a bit crazy and was getting really nervous,” she said.
“But as soon as I saw him and met his family I felt comfortable. It was like meeting someone I already knew. I felt safe.
“We shared a connection instantly and it was just magical. It felt like a movie.”
As the pair learned more about one another, their feelings also grew stronger.
“There’s a language barrier so we use google translate a lot but when we’re together body language and gestures make it easier,” she said.
“I’m taking Spanish lessons and he’s learning English. I can’t even explain our connection it was just instant.
“When you’re together running through water falls, hiking in the jungle listening to the animals, being led by hand having the different plants and ecosystem explained how could you not fall for someone?
“We’ve very different but we were just so curious about each other and the attraction was there from the start.”
Not only did she fall in love with her Tarzan, but also his home and family’s mission to preserve the jungle and their culture.
“Their family business and source of income is from Guayusa Runa … they offer jungle experiences and invite visitors into their home to experience it all. It’s built on educating people on their culture,” Ms Hauenschild said.
“Their culture is rapidly fading lots of young people are travelling and moving away so they’re not maintaining cultural practices. We want to keep the culture alive and look after the jungle.
“He said he wants to build me a home near his family so we can build a life together over there. It’s like The Notebook but the jungle version.”
But Miss Hauenschild had to eventually return home to Australia – where she shared their love story on TikTok.
“It just blew up and went viral,” she said.
In a surprise twist Flight Centre sent her an email saying they’d seen her TikTok, were invested in their love story, and would fund her next flight over there.
She said they both cried and never expected to be reunited so soon.
The love smitten Sunshine Coast resident is working to get her affairs in order before returning to the jungle and her Tarzan this month.
“I can’t believe I get to see him again,” she said. I’m going to try and stay as long as possible.
“We really want to build a life together over there. It will just depend on money.”
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Originally published as Sunshine Coast woman, Jordan Hauenschild, falls in love with Tarzan in Amazon jungle
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