Thursday, August 28

Location: Santarém, Pará, Brazil

Today's weather: 28°C.

Returned to Gregonet Cellulares. Meant to be there at 9am – but I did some more writing, then my computer got hijacked by Ana. Didn't finally get there until just before 1pm. Waited a bit for the shop to reopen after lunch. Neth was there. I hijacked her PC and made myself at home. Retrieved my email then uploaded a whole lot of other material up to the Amazon Adventure website.

Had dinner, then sat at the Mascote Restaurante eating ice-cream and typing at my computer. Got approached by a stranded Polish seaman who told me a story about having lost his position on a ship when in Belém, and how he was now trying to make his way to Caracas so that he could get home. His story sounded a little far-fetched, and I wasn't too sure if what he was saying was true. Sometimes its hard to tell – and I didn't have much money available for myself. I was suspicious, but gave him R$ 20 to contribute towards his fare to Manaus (R$ 50) just in case he really was in need and suggested some places to try where he might be able to get some extra money or help. He seemed very happy – but I wasn't sure if I'd done the right thing or simply been the victim of a con.

Watched some television afterwards, back in the hotel. Overacted Brazilian soap operas. All the little bars and cafes have televisions blaring in the background, even when the bar is in the middle of the street.