From Healthy Fruits to Rolaids and Imodium AD

A 530am wake up call - cold shower - no breakfast.

I notice a stench coming from the Priest that reminds me of the homeless in Cincinnati. I cant remember the last time he showered. Im worried about sitting next to him on the bus.

We arrive at the bus station, clearly I complained too much about the car ride the last time. These buses are huge, with massive wheels and ridiculous height. The shocks must be from jumbo jet planes because the 4 hour ride was as smooth as my skin (now that im on malaria medication - which by the way does wonders for your face)

The air conditioning was a nice plus and the seats go back like your in a small bed. I let the stench go as I turned on my Ipod. I must say, I havent really listened to music regularly in a while. I dont know if its because of the depression I have suffered over the years or just lack of interest, but wow! My brother was kind enough to load all his music onto my Ipod and what a lifesaver it has been. I have listened almost every night. If you havent been into music in a while - get back into it. Do whatever it takes to listen to a bit each day, maybe morning and night. It is phenomenal therapy for the soul that you rarely appreciate unless you havent had it for so long. Its only worthy if its music that truly comes from the spirit of the band or person singing. Pop moneymaking marketing scams excluded.

As Bob Marley and the newer band O.A.R. play throughout the ride - I whisk away into daydreams and then to sleep. Awakening at the final destination - we cab to my hotel on the river. Apparently the Amazon is experiencing amounts of rain it hasnt seen in over 40 years and they make break the record this month - so the river is overflowing on the roads at times and we cannot go directly into the jungle at this time to live. We will do day trips so we dont get caught in a bad situation.

So its RIO HOTEL AMAZONIAS - more like an extension of Lorenzos house with more mosquitos - the dangerous kind and a staff of 1. I check in - which means they give you a key and a towel the size of a napkin. The plus is a balcony that overlooks the river. The negative was when I peered into the shower to yell OH COME ON!!!

There was only one faucet. You cannot get a hot shower if you try!

Lorenzo and I decide to sit out on the porch of the hotel and chat for an hour or two. He is quite an interesting character. This man knows four languages. My biggest inquiry - why is he an American Citizen that was born in Italy and lives in Brazil.

We make our way over to the Seminary Compound where the Bishop of the second largest city in the Amazonia State resides. There is a nice large version of what we would call (those things outside that people get married under) - I sit in a rocking chair under it as I wait for the Bishop to arrive. I find myself closing my eyes but not falling asleep. My body becomes relaxed, my nostrils are totally clear and I do not have any headaches. I think Im in a state of conciousness as I notice the sounds of the birds and crickets and who knows what in the jungle surrounding us.

Arisen by Lorenzo and standing in front of me the Bishop of ITACOATIARA. Hes dressed like a bible salesmen with a big silver cross around his neck - something out of a rap video - and hes smoking! By the way, Lorenzo takes down a few beers here and there - is this normal? Smoking and beers under God? Anyway, he seems like a very nice man - doesnt speak english so you know how that goes. After our meeting we proceed to a dinner ...

They only drive stick in the entire country of Brazil - so the Bishops Nissan Truck - looks like a Pathfinder but called something else - we go to the first restaurant where I can order off a menu! But I guess its customary for the Bishop to do the ordering and he orders two fish dishes, one is a soup, some rice, a random yellow grain I think they call Farina over here - they put this on everything - tastes terrible! Im a bit disappointed as fish isnt my thing and I never heard of either of them. 2 40s of beer into the conversation of Italian that I pick up on here and there, the fish comes out. The soup one has bones so I dont bother and the other one was phenomenal so I go to town on it. The grainy yellow farina is prepared differently this time and I like it. I decide to add hot sauce.

After a solid meal for once, they drive me back to the hotel at about 10pm and I retire to bed. This morning, I woke up with an unusual feeling. Kind of like the combination of heartburn, indigestion and a lump stuck in your esophagus. Lorenzo thinks its a reaction to the Hot Sauce as it always gives problems to Gringos - well thanks for the heads up, you saw me pouring it all over the Farina! I think something is stuck that needs to pass, but anyway, I do my morning ritual of diarrhea and try to drink a coke - random fridge in room.

The feeling is quite uncomfortable as I sit here writing this in the Bishops office - I snuck in while Lorenzo and him are in a meeting. Is this a sin...

I hope I get over this feeling in between my breasts - because I do not want to see what the hospital looks like in ITACOATIARA let alone MANAUS which is a 4 hour drive. I have to make it to RIO probably to get any decent care. Hopefully it will pass. I tried Rolaids - nada. Next will be Imodium.

Somebody~s coming...