The shower I had earlier today easily ranks among my top 5 showers ever. I don’t think I stopped sweating for the entire 3 days I was in the Amazon. Of course amidst my bitching about how hot it was one of our guides laughed and reminded me it is only the “dry” season. I was not amused so I challenged him to a Michigan winter and he promptly shut up.
Now that I got that out of my system I will say that my trip to the Amazon River was amazing! Since it was an SAS sponsored trip everything was handled. While it was a total pain in the rear to get out there, (3 flights, 2 buses, 13 hour total travel time) I was able to just turn my brain off and travel like a sheep, and there is nothing I love more then not having to think. We were all pre-checked in, we were rarely responsible for our own passports, and if anything went wrong I could blame someone else. ..Perfect.
Ill spare everyone my exact itinerary but highlights include several jungle treks, alligator hunting, piranha fishing, visits to a remote native tribe, visits to several other river settlements, a middle of nowhere beach party. On the last night all the various boats met at this nice riverside hotel for this elaborate tribal performance before we departed for long trip home.
Living on a regional riverboat for several days was in and of itself very interesting. The boat had 31 SASers, 2 crew, 2 cooks, and 2 guides. Now take the size boat you are picturing in your head and cut it at least in half to get the right idea of what we lived on for 3 days. It couldn’t have been more than 60 feet of 2 open air decks. We slept very close together on the top deck in hammocks, and ate buffet style below. I still can’t believe the food that the 2 cooks were able to create out of the tiny kitchen; it was very local and delicious although I am quickly beginning to regret my enthusiasm for unique foods.
I have 2 personal highlights from the trip. The first was on the second night when I woke up in the middle of a clear night and just laid there looking at the stars and listening to all the sounds of the rain forest (monkeys fighting, thousands of different birds making their calls and the hissing and chirping of countless insects). I have to admit that the rain forest café does a pretty good reproduction of the rain forest's sounds. The second highlight was playing a pickup soccer game with the Amazon natives in their village (“Cowboys vs. Indians”). We lived totally different lives and couldn’t communicate at all but we could still high five each other after a good shot and laugh together when I totally miss the ball and fall on my own ass.
As for the city of Salvador, I didn’t spend much time there and I am glad I set it up that way. It’s a cool city to explore in a day but it is also the dirtiest city I have ever been in and I never felt comfortable as people were always hassling me, trying to rip me off, and looking for a good opportunity to grab my camera or backpack.
A couple final notes:
1. Mom I’m sorry but I lost your flashlight while alligator hunting
2. I think it’s amazing that 670 kids spread out all across Brazil and all made it back on time and in one piece
3. If America is so great and Brazil is such a subpar developing country, why did I get a meal or nice snack on all of the 5 flights I took within Brazil (all perfectly on time), and in the US I would be lucky to get peanuts on a transcontinental flight (after being delayed for an hour). Just a thought.
4 comments:
1. I told you to pack that immodium! Keep hydrated and your stomach will adjust.
2. I guarantee Chennai will be ten times dirtier. Delhi was pretty bad in some parts (esp. where I worked--they had electricity but no plumbing. They were just digging an open sewer when I left, but my students were still going to the bathroom in the alley behind the school), and the fact that Chennai is a port will add to it.
3. Glad you took my advice on the Amazon trip?
4. Aren't Malarone dreams crazy?
Have fun, stay healthy,
Andrea
P.S. It should also be taken into account that as the standard of living and people's wealth grows, the number of people flying (rather than busing or taking the train) increases. Domestic airlines in Brazil (and India, and China) are actually making money, so they can feed you.
Over and out.
Ang took the words out of my mouth as you commented earlier about a dirty city, and then again, now. In India, just see the people and see their faces and look beyond the filth and the smells. India will repulse you, but, I promise you will not forget her.
Bobber!!!!!!!! I finally caught up with your entries!!! I have nothing much to say except that I miss you and that I'm so incredibly happy that you're having such a wonderful time out there in the world. I miss you!!!!
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