Up the river - Amazon that is - without a paddle.

Never in our wildest dreams would we have imagined that we would be spending our 48th wedding anniversary on the Amazon River near Iquitos, Peru.  But tender mercies are never planned. They just happen.  Sunday, August 31st, we were wondering what we wanted to do for our anniversary in seven days.  No clues!  Monday, we went into the area office and discovered that we would be flying to Iquitos, Peru to observe some training and do a presentation to a group of missionaries there.  By Tuesday, we had our flight plans and had planned an extra few days to take a trip down the Amazon to stay at a jungle lodge in the middle of the rain forest. A few trips to the cash machine, that was interesting adventure in itself, to get the money to make a down payment on the lodge stay and were ready.  All we needed to do was hurry and pack. Our flight took off on Thursday afternoon. It was a bit scary flying during a lightening storm, but it was also amazing to see.  Unfortunately, no pictures. By the time I got the camera out, it was over.  We landed in Iquitos in the middle of a rain storm, which happen quite frequently there.


We got settled in our nice hotel. Friday morning, we got brave and hopped in a Motor Taxi for the short ride to the chapel where the training was to be held.

Minutes before the downpour

The weather looked beautiful, but halfway there, it started to pour.  Our taxi driver stopped, got out his nifty plastic cover for the front of the taxi and then took off.  Unfortunately, Elder and Sister Clark were behind us and thought we had reached our destination.  So when their taxi driver stopped to cover up, they got out, paid him and then wondered where we had gone.  They had to hail another taxi, wade through the water to get to it and then try to find the chapel.  By the time they found us, they were soaked.

Our morning training with the zone leaders of the Iquitos mission was great.  Even the mission president and his wife participated.  What fun! We love doing these presentations as we watch our North American missionaries teach the Spanish speakers and then cheer them on when it is their turn to say the scripture in English all by themselves.  They are always the highlight of our mission. We had lunch with President and Sister Gomez at a fun little restaurant down the street.  We decided to try the alligator.  Of course, it tastes like chicken.  Friday afternoon and evening was spent observing the training for the missionaries who are ready to go home.  Dinner with them was delightful.  We opted for fried rice (?) instead of more chicken and potatoes which is the national meal of Peru.

Saturday we took a short ride up the Amazon to visit the Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm (a Nature and Wildlife Conservation Park).  Along with some rescued animals - monkeys, a jaguar, and an anteater, there were beautiful butterflies.  The monkeys were illusive, though.

We also visited a native village and met the Bora tribe.  They danced for us and explained their culture and the boa constrictor dance. Very interesting.  Elder Clark explained that they came from the tribe of Joseph.  He said he was from the tribe of Levi, since that's what his hat said.  Not sure they understood that one.

Sunday, Sept. 7th, was our 48th wedding anniversary.  We attended church at one of the local wards where we were treated like royalty.  It was all in Spanish, so we had to stretch to understand.  But the ward members were so welcoming.  I think they hoped we were there to stay.  It was sad to disappoint them.  After church, we had dinner at a floating restaurant in the middle of the Amazon River.  It was sooo fun to take a boat out the the restaurant which also has a swimming pool, so after dinner you can take a dip in the pool.  It was a beautiful setting complete with a rainbow in the background. It doesn't get much better than that.

How's this for romantic!