Down by the Seaside

After the bloody hand incident, we finally take to the streets as Lorenzo is on a mission. His plan is to exchange money at a local joint. The location reminded me of chinatown - close knit - dirty and lots of people.

We stumble into what you and I would say is a bad version of Champs Sports. There are tons of name brand items everywhere from sneakers to tennis racquets but all these new products from possibly 1998 are loaded with dust. Lorenzo explains that no one buys anything here - its more for show - the real business is money exchange in the back.

So we head to the counter and a brazillian man in his 50s behind the counter hands me a pork sandwich, some bizzarre pastry and a shot of Guarana Regente Zero (came in those cups you get at the dentist for mouthwash) This Guarana is a brazillian soda with a fruity taste to it. It has the equivalent of 500 times the caffeine of Coke.

Information that would be useful to me before I drank it! Only some know how amazing to be on the phone with me after having this drink. I was in another world.

We move on from shady establishment to the MARKETS. This is like no other market that you and I have been too. There is meat, fruit, vegetables from floor to ceiling in a warehouse on the water the size of a football field. There are corridors of cheese and dairy as well. It reminds me of those shows on the food network - I made a video to prove it.

As I am being told by Lorenzo that 90 percent of what you see you cannot find in the United States, I hear from afar a song that I recognize playing at one of the stations.

Could it be - Can I not escape the overplaying of IM YOURS by Jason Miraz. I turn the corner and on a boom box this exact song is playing. I videotape THAT for proof. Lorenzo takes me around the streets some more and explains the politics of the region and his grand plans of change. I enjoy listening as food for thought, but Im still thinking about when I can wash my hands as one of my fingers has gone numb - can only assume I touched something that I must be allergic to.

In riding the bus back, I notice us passing the Hostel Manaus - how long ago does that feel - man I wish I could shower there. The whole bus is staring at me - maybe I should find a way to kill my celebrity status.

Im totally looking forward to my 7am ride to the Amazon tomorrow. I need to get a look at the plans for the next 2 weeks. Gratefully I will be in Manaus on June 9th to go with those missionaries on their day trip to the Aids Center and Schools as I mentioned in a previous blog.

Itacoatiera here I come!

Oh and did I mention they have a valet service by the port - according to Lorenzo it is the only time you are expected to tip. A Whole Reale! Reale! Reale!

Update:

I just woke up and my stomach hurts so much - u can only imagine my bathroom experience - the bizarre factor is I had MCDONALDS last night for dinner. I wanted to see if it tastes the same as in America. Oh it definitely tastes the same and it is the first time I have felt aweful. Thanks America! I do have a theory that it could be the actual coke that I had with it. I have been so good about following the rules but the coke was a fountain one and either they make that with their water or it was the deeting ICE! UGGGGGH!

Off to pack a day bag and head to the Amazon...