Day 147 - The Pirate

Peter & Ute took their tiny Macaco monkey to the Vet. The poor thing could barely move his hind legs.

Then later in the afternoon, we returned to the DER. And just in time!

Dr. Holanda informed us that a government transport was arriving within the next hour and we should hurry to the port.

A local friend, who he called "The Pirate," came along to help with the translation. When we arrived at the port, the boat hadn't arrived yet, and an official informed us it was on its way but had to stop to repair the rudder. We should come back in the morning for a "progress update."

The Pirate turned out to be quite a nationalist.

We stopped at a bar on the way to his home and had a few beers. Two young Swiss teachers who were also traveling the Amazon joined our table. The bunch of us listened intently to the Pirate. He talked a lot about this beautiful country, its government, its people, and its rise to be the #1 country in South America. Boy, was he right about that!

Manaus, for example, was declared a Free Trade Zone so more people would settle in this region. Foreigners were very welcome, he proclaimed. He said they could quickly start a company with a 51% Brazilian partner.

He surely was 150% Brazilian, or was it the beer? I've never heard anyone talk so passionately about his country with such conviction. He was very excited about Brazil's progress in the marketplace, and winning our hearts seemed important to him.

Stats: Miles 25, Expenses $49.21Read more