Brazil, Colombia, Peru!? Where the hell are we! 5/27/07 - 6/3/07

We arrived in Tabatinga, Brazil on a sunny afternoon in the end of May, excited by our proximity to Peru (one minute boat ride across the water) and Colombia (a twenty minute walk.)Yet we were still nervous about leaving the comforts of our Portuguese-speaking home of the last four months and the tasty Guarana drinks we were oh so used to . . . we knew that it was time for Spanish and Inca Cola . . . the neon -yellow "gaseosa" (soda) of Peru.
It even glows in the dark!

In about 3 days, we visited Colombia (mostly on foot) about 5 times, mostly for their fast Internet and their great sandwiches! Peru´s frontier city was this little island called Santa Rose right across the water! Makes you think how stupid borders are . . . how silly it all really is when you think of the big picture. For instance, here´s a picture of me standing in Peru and pointing at Brazil (on the left) and Colombia (on the right.)

Food for thought!?

When we finally managed to get our exit stamp out of Brazil, and still haven´t quite entered Peru "officially", we were "unacceptable" for two whole days . . . neither here nor there . . .just like Sofka´s dirty cousin . . . Blofka!!

Lucky as we are, we met some cool people from the area, shared some beers, and some laughs . . (and it is to no surprise, that when we arrived to Iquitos 3 days later, a warm smile was waiting for us to help us find accommodations . . . a brother of one of our new friends.) Joel helped us get our passport stamps, find a local salsa joint, and wished us a proper farewell with some crazy Peruvian rum concoction . . .Thanks Joel, that was just what I needed to knock out on the boat! Couldn't have done it without you buddy.

Speaking of sleep, it was good! Our handy dandy little hammock is living up to its reputation!

(what chainsaw massacre?)

Peruvian boats aren´t as glamorous a Brazilian boats (and they stopped about 200 times in 3 days to pick up or drop off,) but who cares when you have a working bathroom!! Makes me happy!!

Along with great company to talk to (and learn Spanish with)

new people to meet

flowers to smell (always)and great views to see

. . . all in all, another splendid good time!

While on the boat, we had an unfortunate event take place . . . on one of the many stops, an ant-eater was caught . . . The curiosity of seeing an animal you´ve never seen wears off very quickly when you realize that this animal will never know freedom again . . . that it will be sold to a local zoo for a good price and it will soon forget that it was ever free at one point. The ant-eater gave such a good effort to break free, to run away, to escape . . . but it was no use.

People have a way of destroying beautiful things . . . yet I know we have the ability to create beautiful things as well.Hopefully one day, we will learn to do more of the latter. (More food for thought.)

And so, the journey continues through South America.

Peru, here we come . . .