Today I woke up around 8:00am. Another great sleep due to my blinds being closed however I still woke up kind of groggy. I dont know for sure, but I wonder if the constant changes in pressure, humidity, heat, etc. wear out the body. I haven't been hiking or anything strenuous for the past few days. Perhaps that is the reason why there's usually a siesta-like period of rest most afternoons in this family. Anyway, woke up and had breakfast as usual, however this one had me trying quite a few different types of fruit. I've noticed how fresh the juices are in south america and figure that the Amazon must be one of the best places in the world for growing fruit. Today, I trying guava juice, their local melon that tastes very similar to honeydew, and starfruit fresh off the tree in their yard. I've tried starfruit back home and found it awfully sour but this one tasted great - a sweet starfruit. Wish I could bring some home with me so everyone could try it! Anyway, after breakfast we set out for a decently long road trip around Manaus. We went to the city centre to buy motor oil for his boat, however the stop was only a quick one since there wasn't a parking spot to be found in the whole area! Jeffson said we'd return when it is less busy. We then drove through the industrial part of town, by the military bases, finally stopping at a store to buy an ice cream freezer for their new store. Looks like they're actually going ahead with their plans to start an ice cream parlour - pretty neat! By the end of my driving tour, we had covered every area of Manaus, picked up the girls from school and were back home eating lunch! In the afternoon, I took advantage of this rest time to catch a few zzzzzs. Also got in some scrabble with my mom (via app) and did some portuguese studying. I'm using a language app now that was recommended to me (duolingo) which I think will greatly improve my word recognition since it has many interactive exercises. Having rediscovered it on my phone, I got up and showed the family. They'll probably download it too. Later, one of Jeffson's staff members came over for an English lesson. I had to laugh at an old memory that surfaced today. As many high school students have done, I had told my friends many times in English class: "i'm never going to use this stuff! It's not like i'm going to be an english teacher or anything!". We'll it looks like i'm eating those words a bit. The teaching in fine, but occasionally I'll be asked what the technical word for something is and it will take me a while to remember since I would hardly use the word back home. I sent him home happilywith a list of translations, then got ready to go out again. It was their choir practice (which sounded amazing), then Jeffson had a meeting which I went to. The meeting was for a local church group, which reminded me a bit of the Knight of Columbus back home, just a little more casual. They were all pleased to meet me and the ones who spoke english seemed eager to practice with me. It's hard to learn a language in your own country since you seldom get the chance to use it. I think, considering those circumstances, their english was amazing. Finally, we made it back home and got ready for bed quick - it's an early morning tomorrow. The staff (including me) will do a big hike in the jungle tomorrow; not for clients but more for training I think. Jeffson says this will be my longest hike yet so I'm excited to see how I do! Hopefully I see some cool sights at the same time! Btw, along with these pics, more have been posted of me from other contiki members on facebook. They're neat ones from my amazon kayaking, white water rafting and mountain biking in the Andes. Already seems like so long ago!
This poor little dog of ours (just shaved)
My friend has returned - today his name is Ernesto!
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