In the morning, our guide met us at our lodge, and led us into the rainforest.

As we walked between the tall trees, he would point out animal tracks on the ground, or monkeys and birds in the forest canopy, high overhead. We soon became accustomed to his accent, though we were still confused when he used the occasional Portuguese word. We were never certain whether he was telling us the name of some unfamiliar creature, or whether he had just used the wrong language by mistake.

Walking through the forest was surprisingly easy - certainly easier than the forests I was used to, back home. Eventually, I realized why. There were plenty of the giant trees that soared to the canopy or poked through it, and there were many smaller trees that rose to every lesser height, but there were no shrubs. In the woods I’m used to, you always need to force your way through the undergrowth, unless you follow a well-blazed trail (and sometimes even if you do).

When I commented on this, he explained that it was because of the wax.

“The wax?” I asked.

“We produce very much wax here. It is big export.”

“I know. Carnauba wax, right?” He nodded. “But how is that connected to the undergrowth?”

“We Brazilians like the cleaner appearance. Brazilian wax removes all the bush.”