We got to São Paulo. We then got lost & couldn't find the hotel at which we had reservations. I hopped over to the lead jeep, the Pearsons, and proposed to rent a cab on my own for the express purpose of having MY cab lead the caravan to its hotel.
Plan worked out fine. The hotel had changed its name, my cab driver didn't know it by its current name, either, but asked another driver who DID know.
I, mmmuh, also remember an acute attack of the runs. Can recall zipping into a field by the road, VERY intent on intestinal relief, and discovering to my amazement that this was the way pineapples grow. Had never seen a pineapple plant before.
Do remember the river crossing into the Mato Grosso. Also seem to recall some giant bridge under construction to the left of the ferry, letting us know the ferry's days were numbered.
And the generous fazendeiro.
On getting to Campo Grande, the first thing I wanted was a bath. Hopped into a shower, watched the red dust of the Mato wash off and form a circle of mud around me. Had never felt so dirty in my life.
Then--didn't some of us continue to Cuiabá? I seem to recall another two days of nothing to watch but the Mato flow by at 20 mph. My first day in Cuiabá I saw a vulture, an [urubu?] way up in the sky as I stood by their ridiculous fonte luminosa. |