4.14.2010

Hanging, Dangling, and Chicken Foot Soup

Our internet connection has been horrible while in Iquitos, Peru so I have much to catch up on.  Let me start with our two day/ two night boat ride down the Amazon River.  The boat departed from  a port in Yurimaguas and headed down the immense river to Iquitos early on a Thursday morning.  We had woken up in Tarapoto at 3:30AM to catch a taxi to get us to the port on time.  That was after a twenty hour bus ride the pervious day to get us to Tarapoto.  Wow.

We slept in hammocks on the third level of the boat with about 200 other travelers.  There was little space but hammocks don't require much.  We met people from all over the world.  France, Tunisia, Switzerland, and Germany were among the countries represented.  I fell in love with one traveling couple, Regis and Virginie, from France.  They were so warm and friendly and seemed very at peace with life.  They have been traveling since September of last year and they hope to travel until December!  I don't think I could travel that long.  I think of myself as more of a vacationer.  This couple is coming to the States this summer and I hope to see them!  Look for a post this summer with them (cross my fingers).  It has been wonderful to meet people from all over the world and to learn about the world they live in.

The truth is, you see what you want to see in people and we are more similar than we are made to believe.

The boat ride was not as hot, sweaty, or as buggy as I thought it would be and for that I am grateful.  There was a good breeze going basically the whole time.  When we stopped at ports (which was pretty often) bugs would join us, the heat would catch up with us, and villagers would come on to sell local goods and unique fruits.

On the boat we were either hanging, dangling, or eating.  Hanging in our hammocks, dangling off the side of the boat, or eating chicken foot soup (and you know, the flavor was excellent!).


TRAVEL TIPS:
* We went on the boat Eduardo I which is the cheapest boat (soles/50 per person or about $18 US).
* Food is included but bring water and snacks.
* You have to buy or rent a hammock (s/20 for renting, s/26-50 to buy).
* WATCH YOUR STUFF!  Lock it if possible.  Never let your bags out of your site. Be careful when villagers get on the boat, this is when you need to watch your stuff the most.
* Bring toilet paper, soup, Tupperware, silverware, a headlamp, & wipes.
* You can shower on the boat if you dare.
* Bring a book and something to do.
* Bring bug repellent and sun screen.
* You can stay on the boat the night before departure for free if it's in the dock.
* Know where you want to stay in Iquitos because the dock is insane when you get off with different travel companies and mototaxi's all trying to take you to the "best place".  Watch your stuff here as well.
* There are nicer boats and rooms to rent for a more expensive price.

16 comments:

Josie said...

I'm so jealous of your travels -- Peru is officially on my list of places to go now!
xxoo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Gracie said...

I want to travel so much! I love that you are able to update while you are travelling. Thanks for tips (hopefully they will help in future)

Stay safe! x

Kelly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelly said...

I'm soooo jealous!!
You are so lucky!
Great post!!! Thanks for sharing!

Claire said...

I'm jealous of everything...except the chicken foot soup,i'm no vegetarian..but still. Ewwwwwwwwww!
Glad your having such a fun time!!

Clare said...

great interesting post and beautiful pictures.
i don't want chicken foot soup! x

Sarah B said...

What an adventure! You can keep the chicken foot soup though!!

Anonymous said...

peru seems amazing. I want to go there now. I'm so happy for you that you get to experience this...except for that chicken foot yukk :P

<3 Dena x

Abri said...

Your traveling sounds amazing... the chicken foot soup sounds a little iffy to me though... ha!

Your pictures are beautiful! Keep 'em coming so I can get more and more jealous... :-)

Kim Axani said...

Eek! You never expect to see a claw in a food bowl, your pic gave me the spooks! lol =)

Anonymous said...

Ha, i'm jealous of how much fun you having!
I had chicken foot soup when I was back home in Nigeria. It sounds disgusting, but the taste is a killer! Too good.

LOVE!

tifsong said...

"The truth is, you see what you want to see in people and we are more similar than we are made to believe."

you're beautiful.

love,
TIF

Brian and Kayla said...

Sheesh. Woah. I'm sputtering. I'm stammering. I'm jealous. What the? Cool! Carpe diem Rachael! Way to seize the day!

Leenda said...

Wow, what a beautiful place! How was that chicken foot soup? It looks pretty good actually. Have you ever eaten dim sum? You should try their chicken feet. Not trying to gross you out or anything. lol It's good!

Lily Riani said...

great tips but i thk i will be too scared

VM Creation Atelier said...

Travel,travel,travel...
I would be a big traveler if it possible!-)*

What an good and useful advice,thank you,dear Rachael!

You style to write and you style to live is beautiful!-)))*

Much Love,
***Violetta***

Find Maeberry Vintage Clothing Store online at maeberryvintage.etsy.com or at our Salt Lake City, Utah location 207 East Broadway (300 South) in the lower level of Now & Again.