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The main economy of Manaus was once Rubber. Today, it is Robber -as in Highway. I finally feel like the tourist with a great big M on his forehead.
It started at the airport when some guy spotted the great big M on my forehead and swooped in for the kill. His skills were off somewhat as he mistook me for German and began speaking German to me. Once he realized his mistake he then switched to English. He could arrange any thing I wanted: a boat cruise, a seaplane tour, a helicopter tour, or any form of entertainment I might need.
Once I finally got rid of him, I discovered that there are no taxis at the airport. Only fixed price limos. And the only thing stretched about these limos is the price. It cost me twice as much to go half the distance as when I took a cab to the airport in Goiania. I gave the cabbie in Goiania a 3 Reais tip and he was so happy I thought he was personally going to escort me to the plane. Normally, fares are just rounded up to the next dollar so a tip sometimes is only a few centavos.
Then I hit the hotel. I have no doubt this was the finest hotel in Manaus - in 1900. There are glimpses of the beauty she once had but the years have not been kind to the old girl.
When I originally booked the cruise through AMA (the only part I didn 't do myself) this hotel was the one recommended because the cruise starts from here. I just about choked when she quoted me the price. I said I would work out something on my own. I was able to get it at about half the quoted price online. Even though it was more than I wanted to spend I booked here anyway for convenience sake. I would be some upset if I was paying the quoted price. It is by far the worst accommodation on the trip but it's only one night.
And I also have to pay for Internet access. At least breakfast is provided.
Other than that, a quiet day of flying. You could see lots of reclaimed farm land. It must be difficult to farm though. There is no such thing as a square parcel of land. There are rhombuses, trapezoids, even circles but no squares. (Except for the one in the funny hat with a big M in the middle of his forehead).
I expect the next update will be in four days time from Brasilia. In the meantime, I've got some caimans to wrestle.
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Bill Washburn Dear Stan: Thanks for your beautifully designed messages from Brazil. It's especially good to know that you are avoiding the criminal aspects of life in Brazil and are finding the rest of life there interesting.