Off to the South

Today I went with Diego and Maura to get some tapiocinha for breakfast. With coconut in it. And then another with goiabada. It was good stuff. I tried ordering myself. It was slightly embarrassing.

Today has been pretty long. I decided adamantly not to bring my suitcase for this excursion because how much of a drag/embarrasing it was last time. So this time, I'll make everyone else look bad because I'm brining my little waterproof compression bag and my backpack. That's it. The real question is...do I bring a razor and shaving cream? Because they take up a lot of room in the back pack.

Today I also realized I have reached my limit for certain portuguese phrases. I know it's not right and has no logic, but I can no longer stand hearing the phrase meu filho, my son, over and over. Everywhere. Equally as grinding on my nerves is the way Maura talks to Urso, the dog. Sweet god.

I also tried to call Dr. Tozzi today, the Health Coordinator at Projecto Saude e Alegria, but alas no avail. I'll bring his # with along our South of Para trip, but I guess I'll just need to try extra hard to get in touch with him ASAP when we return. Then again, maybe he'll check his email in the next 10 days. It's in Portuguese, so maybe that will give me some street cred.

I've been making playlists today for the long bus rides down to Maraba. It's more or less 8 hours flat in the convees. Great. Naturally I'll be somewhat anti-social for several of those hours. I currently have Don't Stop Believing by Journey stuck in my head. Actually, it always is. I'm excited to get to Maraba though. Besides all the lectures and discussions, of course, we're staying at a little hotel, but the city itself, says Diego, is a lot like Santarem in size. I loved Santarem. So I'm hoping this city is equally as cool and affords equally as many prime-chilling locations.

Tomorrow I need to wake up at 4:30 to get ready to leave. We need to be at the office by 5. And leave at 5:30 for the ferry. I'm not a morning person at all, as most of you know, so I like the idea of letting that well-known fact be an excuse to space out for several hours. It should be a good trip. I'm ready to get away from Belem and all of that for a bit. Plus, our group got much closer during the Manaus trip and now things are good. I feel like I can call up most people to hang out or something.

On a side note, Urso just walked into my room, grabbed a sock in his mouth, and left. He does this at least 4 times a week.

If I get the chance to update this in the next 10 days I will. Otherwise, expect another long picture filled entry in 10 days.

Tchau