Good afternoon, friends and family.
We are anchored off the small city of Parintins, which is a sleepy quiet, dirty place littered with everything imaginable. Why we stop here is beyond my comprehension, but, we did find a toy store where we purchased 50 small cars, trucks and motorcycles to give to the kids in Boca Da V. We think they will be very pleased.
It was drizzling this morning when we made our way to the buffet, and continued to rain off and on all morning while we watched a port lecture on this town and the other two we’ve already seen, but will see again on the way down the river. The only thing going for this town is a big festival they hold with a contest between two towns, one with blue and white colors, and the other with red and white. This is the only place in the world you can get a blue Coke can.
This contest is the telling of a story of a bull that was killed by a farmer whose wife was pregnant and wanted beef tongue for supper. Supposedly, the bull is magically resurrected and they live happily ever after. Why this is a big deal is still a mystery, but it draws 60,000 people to this small place with only a normal population of 10,000 or less.
We wore long pants and light jackets over heavy shirts, as the rain cooled the temperature down some; but, with our luck, it quit raining and got very warm. I was sweating like a pig as we walked, then met a couple who were being peddled around the place in a “tricycle” cart for $10.
We found one to rent ourselves and toured the town, saw the big stadium where this contest takes place and most of the major, (if you can call them that), “attractions”. On the ride, we found the toy store mentioned above, which was luck as most places were closed for siesta.
So, we are back aboard in nice air conditioned comfort. It is almost ice cream time, which we’ve missed the last few days in an effort to keep slim – HA – as it that will happen on this boat full of places to eat.
We will probably wait until tomorrow to take advantage of the two free dinners Carol won, as that restaurant is not open tonight. We will probably wear formal wear, not our uniforms tonight, but will wear them for Christmas Eve and NYE.
Carol looks like she’s getting bored sitting on the couch watching me type, so more later – off to the ice cream parlor.
Chocolate and vanilla with nuts – not bad, and those BIG chocolate cookies. I guess we should be ashamed, but we aren’t.
Dinner was nice – we wore our uniforms as did the officer from the Canadian Air Force. Several others had medals on their lapels – very nice – got lots of compliments.
The show was the same one we saw when we got on the ship in Rome, but still good. Still amazed at how those youngsters can remember all those dance steps and songs.
Afterward we joined Brad Stevens on the piano in the Casino bar for “name that tune”, which we came in second. Now, it’s time for bed. Tomorrow we arrive back at Bocca Da V. at about 10:30, so will go on shore and give out our toys. Should be a good Christmas for the kiddos, as others did a lot of shopping for them.
So, until tomorrow,
Via con Dias,
Karl & Carol
