Steve the Brit by the Amazon River and Where in the World is Jessie?

You start to realize how important it is to remember to take care of yourself. I keep forgetting meals and I realize at around 7pm that I need to eat dinner.

Damn. I can't find my keys to the lock that has my bag in a drawer locker. I search everywhere. Think it might be at the Internet cafe. But it's dark out so I decide to run there. Thank God! They had it. I run back.

I take a shower - you already know how that goes - and I dress up - that means same shorts but change underwear and shirt.

Not knowing the area and feeling a bit of cabin fever - I decide to ask Rana (male) where is the coolest place for nightlife in Manaus. He describes a place on the Amazon River known as Ponta Negra which at night looks like Astoria Park railings and sidewalk by the East River. Difference is there are people dancing on a stage scantily clad - men were definitely gay. Plenty of random bodegas with loads of comfortable plastic chairs that you see outside the strip of Ft. Lauderdale.

I grab Jessie - tell him where we are going and notice a very tall lanky british fellow wondering the hostel aimlessly - invited him as well. As we head down the streets in search of the 120 bus to this location - we bump into another guy from the hostel, CHIP - total surfer dude with long blonde curly hair- thin frame - with clearly a interesting childhood. This guy hasn't seen his family in 3 years and travels the world only by bike. Understand me, I saw his bicycle. This guy bikes everywhere he goes - for example - he is biked to manaus.

As Steve the brit talks about snorting cocaine and CHIP tells me how living in Africa is better then the US after 2 beers in the cab - I'm looking at Jessie with that - lets ditch these guys feeling.

This could be a bad night.

We decide on Taxi over bus as its quite far. I''m a bit worried to say the least. Far away, nighttime, on a random tuesday, no speaka portuguese and these guys are looking for coke?

Eventually we grab a table on the River and its just beautiful. I'm one beer in and feeling great -Steve turns out to be awesome and his philosophy on life just blows me away at the time, but couldnt remember it to repeat here.

its 930 and we realize we haven't eaten. We walk for 10 minutes to the Hotel Tropical - this is a resort and we find the restaurant. The menu comes and everyone orders beer, but Jessie orders a 25 dollar steak. No likey - no payee he says - we never know if he ever paid because we waited for him outside.

I havent eaten - we go back to the river. I sit down and order a burger - but it only comes with cheese, ham, bacon, fried egg, tomato and lettuce and some tangy sauce - 7 Reales. I worry but I scarf it down.

As you would know - tuesday night in any town is quite dissappointing. So these guys just want to get slosshed. Several shots later and beers - have to be honest, I was throwing them out to keep my wits and did quite well at hiding it.

Finally convinced them to get in a taxi and head home - but we can't find Jessie. He was chatting with a girl but not so sure where he went. Only can assume.

Its 4 am - have to go to bed...