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I’m sitting in the leaf litter on the jungle floor with a laptop and a satellite phone pointing through a clearing in the canopy. Its early morning its going to be a hot day, we have 12km to walk today which means around 16km in actuality. A few moments ago I was just checking my email to see what was happening in the world and now I am scrunching damp leaves between my hands with the knowledge that, for the time being, my time in the jungle has come to an end.

It seems that my two martial arts schools are having issues which require my attention. In many respects I just want to turn my back on it all and continue forward with Ed and Cho. However in my heart of hearts I know that that would be wrong I have responsibilities to face up to. I began Fight School 5 years ago and too many students and friends have put too much into it for me to just let it fall apart.

Its a strange thing really, I realise have become accustomed to the simplicity of life, where the challenges are clear, wake up, put on wet clothes and boots, pack, eat, 9 hours walking with a 30kg pack, burning 7000 calories, steep ravines, log crossings, blisters, bleeding feet, thorns, cuts, bites, snakes, finding a camp, washing in a river, eating sleep. All the complexities of back home with hundreds of interactions to deal with each day seems like a hefty price for a house, a nice car and proper food. Having a social life with more than one person who can understand anything I say will be nice though.

When I first started it was surprisingly tough, and that is from an ex Shaolin Warrior Monk. Mark Barracliffe from the Guardian managed 4 days of “easy strolling along” as Ed called it. To be completely self-sufficient traveling unsupported through an environment referred to as the “green hell” takes a while to tune in to. Ed never plans days off as he is so focussed on finishing. When we hit towns or settlements the “admin” time allows for a break from walking but the expedition is pretty relentless. Every day the same step by step ever closer but still so far, not seeing friends or family, just to stay sane after over a year is more than most could ever stand. I have enormous respect for Ed and Cho and it has taken 3 months but now I can almost keep up the pace through the jungle.

Ed and Cho will continue without me. Thanks to them both for allowing me the opportunity to experience what most people never will. I hope to return to finish the expedition them.

Below is a video Ed recorded when I went out to sort out my infected toes…

Russian Roulette with Electric Eels from Walking the Amazon Videos on Vimeo.

No joke these things are dangerous. They can knock you out and drown you if they choose.

Sam