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Wednesday, August 27Location: SantarΘm, Parß, Brazil Today's weather: 28░C. Woke up at 6am – more loud conversations. Tried to rest outside in the hammock for longer, but it was impossible to rest amid all the noise. Spent the day writing and (still) trying to catch up on my notes. Thought I might try my luck with an Internet connection – first calling to Manaus to see if that would work. It didn't. The line quality was too poor and I couldn't get a connection. The sight of me in the telephone office trying to get an Internet connection with my laptop computer attracted some attention. I guess it isn't a sight they see every day. One of the people worked at a local electronics store – he tried to help me, but without success. He suggested that if I had further problems I could visit his shop. I visited the shop, although the guy wasn't there. Since my Portuguese isn't very good it was hard for me to communicate what I wanted – but it was suggested that I contact a company called Compu-Help. I explained that it would be difficult for me to talk with them on the phone since my Portuguese was so poor. I asked for their address instead. Fortunately, one of the people from the electronics store ws about to make a delivery and was going past the Compu-Help office. I climbed into the back of his truck and went for a ride. Compu-Help didn't have Internet either, but they gave me the name and address of a company which did – GregoNet Cellulares. I went for another walk and finally found their office. Inside, I talked with Neth. Also got a new room at the hotel. Part of the reason was that I was staying for a while – but it may also have helped that I'd made friends with Ana, the owner's daughter. She was spending lots of time playing on my computer – particularly using the graphics programs to cut and paste clipart. She was also amazed at the photos of SantarΘm and Manaus that I had on my computer. The new room was at the front of the hotel, and had a small balcony so that I could look down onto the street below. I left the balcony doors open, enabling a soft breeze to go through the room. Across the street was the Mascote restaurante. Music blared out from it – mostly old 1950s and 60s ballards, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong Description of the people in the hotel. Ana pestering for lollies and to draw pictures on the computer Went to a movie in the evening. Jurassic Park II. The film was in English, but had subtitles in Portuguese. The cost of the ticket was R$3.50. Walking home afterwards was an interesting experience. The streets were all very quiet – deserted, as if I was the only person left in the city. The streets were well lit. And the weather was still very hot. |