Week 2 Begins with a Change of Plans

Sometimes the best laid plans require re-evaluation... this is where we find ourselves today!

Contrary to our ealier entry, we have remained in Manaus for an additional three days, in order to attend to the health of one of our team members. Eric's heat stroke has led our team to re-eveluate our initial plan of taking the "African Queen" adventure down the Amazon River. A 33-hour excursion without access to medical attention seemed imprudent in light of our team-member's health status. His medical consultant said that we could travel after he has had a two to three-day recovery. Proceeding with our original plan would have cramped the time available for the visit to Santarem, due to the departure from Santarem to Belem on Monday, April 19.

After holding a team conference and discussing options with the Brazillian host leaders, we jointly decided to switch to air travel to Santarem... the Indiana Jones adventure in the Amazon will to have to wait for another time. Instead, we will leave Manaus early on Thursday morning (1:00 a.m.) and arrive in Santarem at 3:00 a.m. in Santarem.

Everyone is pleased with our decision, as it reduces the risk for the teamm and allows for the full programming to proceed in Santarem. Today we will visit some local museums. The delay also allowed the team to make a presentation yesterday to the fourth and largest Rotary Club in Manaus' industrial district.

Yesterday we attended the Amazon Theater opera company's practice session for the upcoming annual opera festival. What a magnificent musical presentation!!

Stay tuned for more later.