Tingo Maria

Yesterday around 4pm, I finally got on a bus with 2 other PSFers, to go to Lima. I asked around and 4 blocks down the street is all the companies that travel to the jungle. We walked down there, and found the only bus to be leaving...now! I quickly bought my ticket, and for 5soles more, i could get a cama/ bed seat, which is much more comfortable. I quickly had to hand over my grande backpack, say goodbye to my friends and thank them for helping me find the bus, and run as the man outside the bus kept waving to me to hurry.

I sat in the first seat, with only4 other people around me, and relaxed. I felt comfortable and right about this decision, and was on my way for a 11 hour bus ride to Tingo Maria. They put on IronMan2 movie, but was so tired, i fell asleep through half of it. Its never that confortable to sleep on a bus, and was lucky to have both seats, so i could move all around. I woke up about 7am, and wanted to sleep more, but the scenery was so beautiful outside that i couldnt stop watching. We were coming down out of the Andes mountains and the Jungle has begun. So the mountains are bright green filled with a huge variety of folliage. It was muggy and drizzling outside.

Around 9, we finally got to Tingo Maria, and thats when i didnt know what to do. Should i stay here a night, check out the village, or get the next bus on to Pullculpa??? Outside the bus are always men calling, taxi taxi, and ready to sweap you away where ever you want to go. I didnt have much time, but i got swept away by one lucky mototaxi man, and he took me to a cheap hotel where i got a room for 10soles.

This is when i wish my friend Pablo was with me, because i have no idea what i want to do, or should do. I sat in my room, and cried. AFter 2 minutes, i decided that was enough, and decided i should find out what there is to do in this town. I went down and talked to the hotel man, and he told me there were a few tours i can do. One...i hate doing tours, so i didnt want to do that. I found out about the National Park that i could go to on my own.

So i decided to go out and walk around. He told me about the market that was 2 blocks down where i could get some cheap food. I walked around a bit, went back to the bus companies to see when the next bus left, and decided to find the mototaxi to get to the national park. Its a 30 minute ride up a bumpy gravel, pothole filled road. They wait until they have 3 people to fill the back seat of the tuctuc, so i sat next to 2 peruvian men, one had greased hands and car parts and a car belt in his hands. And we were off.

AT the top, the two guys were dropped off at a garage and then i was taken into the Natinal park entrance. Paid, and was told some info about the park. I walked in and was swarmed by huge trees of all sorts, and so many sounds of different animals. I saw the most amazing blue butterfly floating around. And a tree filled with big black birds with bright yellow tails. They kept jumping from tree to tree. I crossed the brigde over the rushing brown river, to the staircase that takes you up to the cave. At the top, i met a woman and her 2yr old daughter from Lima. We talked abit and walked into the cave following the wooden path. It was amazing, rocky peaks were hanging from the ceiling and even more weird sounds were heard. You could only see the shadow of whatever type of bird or creature was floating around on the roof. In the back, you could hear water dripping off the rocks, and when youturned around to see out the whole you came in, was an amazing circle with jagged edges and a flush green forest outside in the amazing light. It was quite beautiful. But that was all to see, so we walked back to the main road to wait for another mototaxi to go back into town.

There really is not much else to do, so im going to catch the first bus in the morning to Pulculpa, which is where ill find a boat to ride up along the river to get to Iquitos. More Jungle!!!