100% Deet

 Once Macchu Piccu was conquered, we headed for the Amazon. There was still so much to learn and experience. But it would only come after a two hour train ride, two hours over bumpy, two lane roads.

We had a reprieve at the peaceful, luxurious (keep in mind everything is luxurious after tents on a cliff), Montaserio Hotel. 

Sunday morning we had a few moments in the old monastery's private chapel.

After breakfast, we were on the road again. Another van ride. A thirty five minute plane ride. Another van. An hour ride in a motorized canoe.

We went from the Andes Mountain's freezing nights at 11,000-13,000 feet, to Amazonian 96 degrees at 600 feet elevation. Our mental focus slid from altitude and climbing to insect repellant, insect repellant, insect repellant. We were too old for the yellow fever vaccine and malaria pills gave my sister hallucinations, so we chose the 100% deet method. Which our physician friend informed us would someday result in cancer.

A mosquito bite now or cancer in twenty years?

It was us against the most deadly insect/animal in the world. My first night inspecting underneath the mosquito tent, I found that I'd sat on one.

It was the only one I ever saw. 

But we were yet to see:

Bullet ants--a bite that will swell an arm to twice its size

Pink toed tarantula

Monkeys

Red squirrels

A cormorant slurping down an eel

White and black caymans (alligator creatures)

A Capybara family

Spider communities

And always came the warning to watch your head--for snakes dangling from trees. Many, many poisonous snakes in the Amazon.

I asked about the antidote for snake and various other bites.

"Yes, there are anti-venoms, but it's important you know what snake bit you so you are administered the correct venom. Make sure you take a photo."

Hmmmm.

"And most of all, you must remain CALM! It slows the venom from reaching your heart and killing you."

Hmmmm.

What are we doing in the Amazon?!?!?