Today we were up early to pack our hammocks and do a few final things before hitting the road. After saying one last goodbye to Alcideles, we put on our packs and walked the six blocks through town, and to the docks where the boat was waiting. On the way there, we were blessed with some beautiful sights of the town and river at sunrise.
Although we didn't get to take the 15 hour boat ride back to Manaus (like we had originally planned), the 1 hour board ride to Itchiquatiaba ended up being a neat experience. Because the cabin of the boat full of people, we got to sit on the bow of the boat. Feeling the early morning breeze run through our hair and seeing the beautiful sights of the river lifted our spirits!
In Itchiquatiaba, we caught a quick cab to the bus station and then loaded a big tour bus headed for the city (by the way, even though the busses look nice and new on the outside doesn't mean they're always as nice on the inside). This time, I stayed awake during the three hour trip and got to see much more of the landscape.

After the long ride back to Manaus, we caught a taxi to the home where we would spend the next couple of nights. (The owners, Bob and Sherry, are retired Americans who open their Brazilian home to missionaries coming and going through Manaus.) We spent the afternoon resting and walking around the neighborhood, then when evening came, Tim wanted to go to a Churrascarias for dinner (a Brazilian type of restaurant where the servers bring skewers of cooked meat to your table, then slice it off right onto your plate). It was pretty much the only meal we ate out, but it sure was a good one; I don't think I'll ever forget the experience!
Aside from all the travel adventures, or the special dinner, the most exciting thing of the day was meeting the other missionary couples who were staying at the house. Dave and Grace, the first couple, are an older couple who have spent their whole lives on the mission field, even since childhood. The second couple, John and Robin, are newer to the mission field and have two young daughters. We had such a great time talking to these amazing couples and swapping stories. Tim even knew many of the same missionaries that these couples work with. We also got a lot of questions answered by John, along with some ideas for how to run operations at the orphanage (such as power, transportation, communications, etc.)

Watch your in-box for the next trip journal,
"Last Day in Brazil"