Wednesday 1st June 1977
Feeling really ill, I got up around eight and sat in a rocking chair for about an hour. I had a couple of alka-seltzer and asked about boats again - oh, no boats, not for two or three days - and so I set off walking. After a few kilometres I came upon the rice factory on the point. They told me it was 40km to San Carlos and showed me a map to prove it. Also, they said, we were just into "winter", the rainy season, the road was impassable almost. Just recently I could have caught an ox and cart but now there was mud and marsh several feet deep and full of snakes and things. Also when the afternoon downpour came it would get far worse. Having seen yesterday's solid downpour and lightning show from four in the afternoon, until late in the night, I didnt doubt it.
One of the workers, who spoke good English, said he was going back to San Miguelito at noon and I could wait for him. We went back in his dugout and up to the telecommunications office where one of the three I met yesterday wanted to see me. He explained that his friend got very drunk last night and so forgot to take me this morning. He said there was a fruit boat going this afternoon and I should wait with him until it went
I stayed, had some soup, talked, and watched some of "The Pallisers" in Spanish. Eventually some sullen-looking fellow from the boat came and when I'd picked up my pack from the guard house he said he wasn't going to San Carlos but to one of the islands. I went back to the Pension and slept all afternoon
