JUNE 13, 2011 / IQUITOS, PERU
IQUITOS AIRPORT. BAGGAGE CLAIM.
What on earth were you thinking?
There is not ONE girl from this flight has flown in on her own, not even a Peruvian.. And you? Obviously young, obviously alone, obviously foreign, obviously lost, and in the middle of the Amazon?
These bags I have strapped and buckled all across my body seem worthless right about now.. Do they kidnap people here? What if I get kidnapped by my taxi driver? I don't have enough credit to call anyone from my Chilean mobile.. Even if I do, who am I going to call? Do I call my parents all the way in Indonesia to find me in the Amazon rainforest? Do they even have proper addresses here?
What in Buddha's name were you thinking?
This is not the Lost TV series. This is Peru. You've done this before and you know what to do just fine. Look around.
That one looks like he's holding a..
"Hey, can I see your map? I'm looking for an address of a hostel I plan to stay in."
They were Michael, a 20-year old Austrian, owner of the map; and Ariel, a 31-year old Argentinian. Both single travelers, both started talking because of Michael's map--This whole map thing bringing people together is too good. I just have to be on the mapless side all the time.
"You guys don't know where you're staying yet?"
Please stay with me. Please stay with me.
"Well, I'm staying here because it's only about 100 meters away from this shaman's house. I plan to do an ayahuasca ceremony."
"You know of a shaman?" Ariel, the Argentinian, lit up. "That's what I'm here for.."
"Yeah.. And he's a Shipibo Indian. The real deal.."
"That's it. You're taking me."
"I need someone to help me in translation during the ceremony. I'll take you, but you will have to be my translator."
Team Iquitos: Argentina, Austria, Indonesia.