To Surubim with the Family

This past weekend I returned to the village of Surubim with some friends, this time Brin and the girls went. Taking the girls reminded me of how primitive some of these conditions are. For the most part they enjoyed our trip, except for the Amazonian “no-see-ums”, little irritating bugs that have a real bite.

A highlight of the trip was talk about a local man being willing to donate land for a church to be built. I’m not sure what the timeframe would be, but it’s exciting to think about being involved in that.

Brin enjoyed this kitchen about as long as it took to take this picture. The stove was fired by wood, the water for washing dishes was a quarter mile away in a dirty creek and the lights were dirty oil burning lamps. Oh yeah, and refrigerated meat is hanging above the stove. At least the bugs didn't like it in there either.

The dishwasher was no Maytag.

The girls, used to plentiful water on river trips, had to settle for this less than desirable stream.

We are told this trip can take anywhere between 3 and 8 hours, depending on the rain. Being at the beginning of the rainy season, these puddles will only get worse.

Part of the frame broke on one of the motorcycles and we had to remove the rear fender. It made for a fun return trip with mud being thrown all over the driver.

On the barge crossing the Xingu River.