For the ride…

As part of my daily routine, I must travel from my home which is located in downtown Santarem to the “burb” where the mission office is located.  There I have my two hour language lesson which ends at noon.  Then I double time it back home in time for lunch.  Easy morning, huh?  Yeah, it is for the most part, but for an American used to driving himself around, the transportation is an adventure!
 

I have a couple options to get to the mission.  One is to hike it.  This is about a 40 minute walk.  Don’t forget that this is 40 minutes in the blazing heat and scorching rays of sun in the Amazon.  I’ve done this a couple times, but if I can help it, I’ll not do it too many more.  No fun sitting in class drenched in sweat!

Option number two is the bus.  I have a stop about 30 meters from my  house, so that’s convenient.  The best bus for me to take comes once every 40 minutes, and I think I figure out when if comes by.  Thankfully, it’s pretty consistent.  I pay a small fee, and 12 minute later I’m dropped off within an 8 minute walk of  the mission office.

Now, getting home after class is the excitement of the day!  I could take the bus back, but no one wants to be on the bus for 25 minutes at noon in this city!  Of there’s always a taxi, but that’s too expensive.  It is way to hot for walking, so that leaves one other option…..MOTOTAXI!  Oh yes, it's as sweet as it sounds.  There are guys riding motorcycles around the city that are taxis!  Just flag them down, holler a quick address, jump on the back, and away you go!  Quick and cheap!  Don’t worry moms and nurses, it’s law to wear a helmet, so they carry one with them (although you get to share it with thousands of other sweaty Brazilians).  I tend to enjoy the breeze and the quick ride with minimal wait.


I’ll admit, the novelty has now worn off some, but I would appreciate you prayers for safety in transporting this temple of the Lord to and fro.

Hangin’ On,

JAE