Even heroes have weak spots ...

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And mine is eating fish,

Three days before I went into the hospital after one day and a night of horrible pain (I never visited a toilet so much in sucha short time ...) after eating fish with a local in the fishmarket here in Iquitos (Biggest city in the jungle, only reachable by boat and plane). I started to get fever and when I checked I saw I had more than 41 degrees. Oh, boy, that's dangerous, I almost roled downstairs in the hotel, mumbled what was going on and a friendly mototaxidriver drove me to the hospital and waited the whole time with me there to give me courage. I got two baxters and I was hallucinating from fever, it was terrible, vomiting ..... Argh. After midnight they let me go back to my hotel. Boy, am I glad I speak Spanish, people here tell me there are only a handful of tourists here that speak it. I don't get it. What do you do in situations like that in a country with just lil bit or no English? After that followed two days in my bed of horrible pain. Today I feel better. It's 9.30 am and I haven't eaten for three days. I am not hungry, but I might find some soup to make me stronger, I do drink lots of water. tho.

But enough of that, life goes on, before I tell you about my times in San Francisco (Not USA, but a Shipibo village) I will tell you guys a bit about Iquitos. Iquitos is a big jungle city, 400.000 inhabitants. It had an enormous boost back in the days with the rubber export, but now that's gone. The majority of the people here are ofcourse indigenous people, than mestiez, some whites and as good as no blacks. Like in all other jungle parts I like the people here. They are helpful, friendly and sweet and as a blonde white boy you get a lot of attention here, which is good to get the best service in restaurants and bars 😊. And yes, the girls here are very pretty. I heard the night life is pretty crazy, but with all the sickness and husle I had no to time to explore.

My first two days I used to make calls, arrange my tickets to Venezuela and than I spent a day on the market in Belen to go shop herbs for my future shop. Ofcourse I wasn't that stupid to trust just anyone and went to someone that is recommended by friends. But always be careful, do like me, aks people their pasport number, adress, phone, banc account number and everything and double check when you make deals. Never give all your money in front. I am pretty proud I haven't been scammed or robbed yet, but I hear from a lot of other tourist they have been. But, and I'm going to write this in capital letters: MAYBE YOU SHOULD'T WALK WITH YOUR SANDALS AND WHITE SOCKS, SURVIVALSHORT, SURVIVALBELT, CAMERA, SUNGLASES, YOUR HAT AND BANDANA AND YOUR WATCH AND YOUR BACKPACK. I don't get it. that is not my normal garderobe, do these people dress like this at home? Do they think people dress up like that here? Use your brains, and dress very casual and they will think you live here, plenty of whites, no problems. Be a bit streetsmart and no problems.

Where was I .... Oh, yeah, Belen. It is a biiiiig market fulll with magical herbs, witchcraft tools, shamanistic tools, visionary brews, medicinal plants. I feel at home ofcourse. But, it must be said that it is also very dangerous. So if you plan on shoppin bulk, don't bring money, be smart, make a deal and contract and let them come to your hotel afterwards to pay. When you go there, don't bring money, camera, ipod (why the fuck would you need an ipod when travelling anyways, I asked myself that question a lot when I see people travelling here, you know, you can use that time to actually talk to people ... actually ipods are crap and isolates ourselves from each other, but sorry I am ranting again ...)

So, this is how it works, you go sit down, have some chit chat first, exchange some drinks, offer some cigarettes. Than you show what you want and let them list your prices and then you go 30 percent below every price if possible. It's not a shame, it is normal, they will think you are a moron if you don't do that anyway. So, after half a day I ordered TONS of herbs, gave them some money in advance .... and part of the deal = shoes. Only in Peru, ladies and gentlemen :D. But I think it has it charms. So, within a week most will be ready I hope to send, will cost me a shitload in the postoffice and taxes for customs (Ooooh, how I hate customs, they are not more than a legalised maffia trying to get as much money out of your pockets as they can, but I am starting to rant again ......)

So, yeah, I ordered a lot of cool stuff, the most amazing things are some insects that cause visions when eaten. They had some problems with them biting them when catching, lol. I am gonna give these people a whole bunch of food like rice, fruits, some chickens and all the extra for searching all my stuff, powdering, etc.... That's the way to do it here, when someone does you a favor or you go sleep somewhere, bring fruits, fish, rice, .... It is better than giving money and a lot more appreciated and it also fits more in the culture.

I have ZERO pictures of Iquitos.

Reasons: Too much stuff to arrange, the whole sicknessthing, plus bad neighbourhoods to bring a cam with me.

The shamanic conference started yesterday and I couldn't be there, damnit. Today it starts at 2 pm. I hope I will feel the same so I can go a few hours. My friend Eliza, a famous international known curandera (female healer/shaman) is already here, I am looking forward seeing her again this afternoon and if not hopefully tomorrow.

I am gonna write my story now about the days before Iquitos.

Over and out,

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Comments

[Ray]

This will probably fix you
Go to the local farmacia and buy some ciprofloxin. Take one table immediately and another in about 12 hours. Two doses should probably do the trick, as that stuff kills pretty much everything. As soon as your system can handle it, reintroduce good digestive animalitos with some yogurt. Unlike most antibiotics, you should not take more cipro than absolutely needed. In other words, do not finish the bottle or packet that it comes in. Save it for later. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor a pharmacist, but I am married to one.

[Amanito]

thx
Hi, thanks, yeah, that's the stuff they prescribed me, although the doc told me to take it five days. I have been told to buy a lot of that to bring with me since it costs 15 dollars a pill normally ......