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In Amazonas - 1998
In Amazonas - 1998
Jacek Pałkiewicz2006-06-18 22:36:03
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junk in exchange for the natives' skins, india-rubber and wild bird feathers. There was an ever-present risk that the natives would resort to violence or attempt to trick us.
On the edge of the village we found an ideal spot to swing our hammocks. The mosquitos returned to the attack. We tried our hardest to set up the camp, to dry off and to light a fire, but we couldn't manage it. There was no dried wood in the vicinity and we were too tired and muddied to go farther afield. By the light of our torches, sitting on our much-abused rucksacks, we rummaged among our food supplies, trusting to luck which we would choose. The first packet we pulled out was a cheese with pepper made from ewe's milk, the second was a packet of chocolate biscuits. "Oh Lord!" somebody moaned. We laughed uirtil tears came to our eyes. Eating cheese and chocolate biscuits in the heart of the Amazon, at night, was an unheard of adventure, but we liked it all the more for that. Our motive in making the journey was to have experiences of of the common run.
"Switzerland! Pass me the knife please!" Switzerland? Who might he be? Switzerland's real name was Tiziano. When our guide had asked us where we were from on the preceding day, we had told him Italy.
"Ah, that's near Germany, isn't it?" Tiziano, however, had been at pains to point out that he was actually Swiss. He asked the guide: "Do you know where Switzerland is?"
Our guide had looked at him uncomprehendingly. Tiziano was amazed :" What? You don't know Geneva, the United Nations, the Red Cross, all the other important international organizations?"
We had a good laugh at this. Somebody sniggered:" Why don't you ask him if he watches TV?" From then on, we presented Tiziano as "Switzerland" even at official functions and receptions.
Gaetano also picked up a nickname immediately. He was called "Mr Fixit" because of his convertible rucksack which could be used
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See photographs from:
Brazil Gallery
