Novamente - Manaus

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He llegado nuevamente a Manaus. It's great to be back, to stay at Mauro's Chez Les Rois B&B and to have him pick me up at the airport. Mauro is more than the host of my favorite place to stay; I am grateful for his friendship and kindness during my last stay in this part of the world and this time is proving to be no different. Obrigado Mauro!

The entry to Brazil was amazingly easy and uncomplicated; visa approved, passport stamped and then on to customs where the two pieces of luggage - my overstuffed backpack and a large suitcase full of 'encargos' - were not even glanced at. Sim problemas!

Once out of the airport, although the temperature is not particularly overpowering, the stifling humidity is. It envelopes you like a blanket and reminds you that you are in the tropics; the Amazon, even. 

This morning, as I dress and prepare to walk over to the Manauara Shopping (this is what they call the mall here - a 'shopping') to see about finding an ATM and a cell phone store to get a Brazilian SIM card, it thunders and the grey clouds overhead unleash a torrent of water. So I wait.

Looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting experiences!