Fear Seeps In Manaus

Ok just now was probably my most fearful for a mugging so far. I am along in this dark house in an alley of Manaus that reminds me of the neighborhood in Boyz n the Hood. I am extremely hungry for dinner and I was told there is a restaurant to the right after you get out of the alley. I unlock the front door - then unlock the gate door as a car rolls by.

my head thoughts:

Did he see me - does he now know an American is staying in Fr Lorenzos house while he is away - the planning to seize the house is on - maybe I shouldnt be out here.

I walk out the alley and take a right towards the restaurant - the streets are barren and dark. Two brazillian guys sitting outside the restaurant having beers and listening to american music blaring out of their open car door parked in front.

The restaurant is closed! What the... Not a light on in a storefront or place within my vision. I walk to the end of the street - some sort of shady activity going on so I turn around. Stomach is pissed. I take the street to the other end and find a restaurant that looks like an outdoor cafe raised up on concrete. Oh wait across the street looks like a bank - I should get Reales since I only have Dollars on me.

Its not a bank but a school or church with children in it and guard watching over this fortress of a fence - something out of those Compounds in Texas. I look at the restaurant again and dont think random American guy speaking 0 portuguese walking into a outdoor dark cafe wearing a PSU t-shirt is going to go smoothly. Where the hell is Jesse when you need him

Fear running high and not knowing the address to the actual house, I decide to head back.

my head thoughts:

I dont have my cell phone - what if I cant open the house gate - will someone follow me back and raid the house of my passport, credit cards and granola bars - why did I set myself up to be here alone for 48 hours - at least the hostel could provide friends to walk with

I take the turn down the alley figuring my memory is still in check and I notice a random teenager approaching. I grab my keys and slide them in between my fingers to create silver knuckles. Who knows, might have to take him out

He walks by smoothly and but I see a light coming forward. Motorcycle out of Black Rain with Michael Douglas. Helmet covering his identity. He zooms toward me. Should I jump into a house - he takes a quick shift jarring whip at me. Adrenaline pumps me into

*** theres a car stopping outside the house - I turn the lights off - maybe its better to act as if no one is here -- footsteps...

Ok Im back - I went to check it out - no clue whats going on outside. Need a shotgun. Where was I

Adrenaline pumps me into a basketball hip left and I avoid his conspicuous swipe. I walk on like its expected and stride fast toward my gate in the alley. Two teenagers are approaching the gate.

Brad, you only have one shot at getting this gate open before these punks get close enough to shove you in and take you out. I place the key in and jimmy it perfectly, rushing in and closing the door behind rather abruptly. These kids must of thought I was crazy or maybe now they know Im scared.

Either way, Im starving. Took down a peanut butter granola bar - different from the harvest berry granola bar to trick my body into thinking we are on a different meal. Good thing Jessie and I hit a buffet before parting ways today or I might lose 5 pounds in one night. Praise Jesus that I had bought a two liter water bottle today and kept it with me. Or tonight would be quite a doozy.

Well, nothing like a dark cabin like feel when I get into bed with no blanket, read The Tenth Insight using my headlamp. Sounds like Camp Cody but without the campers or a co-counselor.

Stealing from every new age book out there and specifically Into The Wild

- Life is all about relationships...