Of cars, mototaxis, vans and boats

Four days without Internet and there is too much to catch up on, but I will try. My last connection was in Bagua.  From there, we took cars to the mission station, Nuevo Horizonte.   Bagua is dry, but it doesn't take long for the scenery to change.  We encountered several rivers along the way, but the only ones I remember were the Chiriaco and the Marañon.  

In many of the pictures it looks like low-hanging clouds over the mountains, but it really mist that rises from the jungle. I sat and watched it one afternoon.   

This is a spot where the pavement ends and the gravel road begins. We had to stop so the driver could let air out of the tires.  Yes, you did read that right.  He let air OUT.  The picture here is corn drying on a roof. 

This is a common sight - a mototaxi loaded up with goods of all kinds.  If the road happens to have a yellow line in the middle, and many don't, they are just a suggestion as you can see here.  When the drivers want to pass someone, they just honk and go!  

I could do a whole photo series on "In The Road."   Donkey in the road, chicken in the road, turkey in the road, pig in the road, sleeping dog in the road and the list goes on.  

This is a ginger flower which smelled wonderful. Esti, one of the team members, is from Hawaii so she knows what a lot of the tropical plants.  She made our driver stop just to pick this!   

The Marañon river.  It is huge by my standards. You'll see a lot more of it later. We get to take a boat down to some villages later.  I should note here that the jungle is different than I thought. I expected more really tall trees. They are there, but not as many as I thought.  It is hot and very humid. Bug spray is my new perfume.  It turns out that I am allergic to DEET.  Fortunately, I brought several alternatives and they work very well. A surprising win was the ointment I threw in at the last minute.  It comes from the feed store and is for treating dog and horse wounds. It takes care of the itching and bites heal quickly without infection. I am quite popular because of it.  I am writing a letter to the manufacturers when I get home!   It would sell for premium prices at REI.  

Finally, we arrived at the mission station.  It is huge!  Lots more buildings than I thought. The pastors are beginning to arrive for the conference. Some of them have traveled for 4 days. They come by bus, car, boat, and trail.   It's pretty humbling. 

Larry Garman's old clinic is now the district office. 

Our dorm and home for the next four nights.  Ten women in bunk beds - it feels like camp - except that at camp we had hot water!

Dinner!  The three women on either side of Addie are our cooks for the week.  Sarella, Nancy and Michaela are all graduates of the Bible school.  Sarella teaches music here now, and Nancy is the wife of Edgardo, the District Superintendent.  

Dinner!   This was really good, it was like cream of chicken soup over potatoes.  Many of our meals are similar. Not much in the way of veggies and two starches. 

I know I'm catching up on a whole week now but Internet and even electricity is dicey.  I am lucky to get a connection and when I do it's slow, so be patient!   

Much love,

Bonnie :).