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Further dried up riverbeds have had Cho and I pathetically waiting under the puniest of jungle vines for a few drops of life-giving liquid. We’ve prospected for water like oil companies trying to savage the Amazon of its fossil fuels: probing and estimating as we go.
Thankfully the dry season does not mean no rain - just lower waters - so we’ve been saved by the evening deluge on more than one occasion and are now slick operators with our improvised reservoirs.
As fish live in rivers we’ve had our parched problems exacerbated by grumbling stomachs. We haven’t caught enough fish to smoke and take with us in several weeks now. We live as hand to mouth as I ever thought possible - a catch of fish gets wolfed down in seconds.
Cho has always quoted what seemed to me a blindingly obvious statement: “Cuando hay - hay. Cuando no hay - no hay.” It translates roughly as “When you have - you have. When you don’t - you don’t.”
This used to wind me up as one of those comments that are completely superfluous; rubbing salt into the tetchily hungry wound. But after hearing his tales of living in hiding in the mountainous forests of Peru during the time of the infamous Shining Path communist terrorist group I have started to put this attitude into context.
It’s a way of saying that there is no point grumbling if there is no food - no point in dwelling on it either. If you accept that it is outside your control and move on regardless you will learn to be content with less.
In theory!
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Thanks for the concern that many of you have shown over Cho’s recent health scare (see video below), and our lack of insurance and GPS. I have just managed to renew the medical side of the insurance and we have a new GPS making its way from Amazon.co.uk to the Amazon. Thanks also to everyone who’s helped with looking for further funding for us - your generosity has been quite humbling.
Anyone who really wants to help (with the charities this time rather than expedition funds) we are looking for someone to run the London Marathon in the name of Walking the Amazon for The ME Association. If you are up for it (and reckon you can drag your body round the 26 miles!) please get in touch with Tony Britton. tbritton02@yahoo.com. We have a place reserved for you!
Ed
What is wrong with Cho? from Walking the Amazon Videos on Vimeo.
We now think he could suffer from migraines.
Good luck to you boys. Any idea in how many days you will arrive in Tefe?
Abraços.
Cornell
Very soon Insha’Allah. Are you based in Tefe?
hey guys…keep it up!!! u guys more than halfway already…im student still and hv no money or anthr thngs to donate..but i can surely 100 percent support.. =) i knw hw it feel going thru those forest.. sumhow grew up with those kind of thngs before =) again! keep up the good works, its for a good purpose and will turn out as it too!
What an incredible journey! I came across this website quite by accident, and will now use it to inspire my youth clients. They are all ‘at risk’ having been through drugs/alcohol/homelessness/mental health probs etc.
You guys are a true inspiration to all….keep going, don’t give up.
Looking forward to your next posting:)
Hi.. Ed i just past by ur blog and i read a lot about ur expedition..i pray to Allah and ask Her to take care of u. U are incredible person..looking forward to your next posting..and keep in touch..
Ed, please stop and come home. Nothing is worth risking your life for. You have done incredibly well, but it’s time to give up now.Thanks for raising awareness of ME.
Oh Eleanor bless you! Thanks for the concern over our safety. Its a funny one to explain in black and white but two things are very relevant here.
1. Cho and I are experienced now. We live comfortably for much of the time in the jungle and we have a good understanding on what the real dangers are. We can reduce the risks hugely because we are familiar with our surroundings.
2. Everyone who goes on a expedition to a remote area is putting their life at more risk than normal. But just as you play sport and risk injury - we feel that the risks are justified. We want to fulfill the mission and walk to the mouth of the Amazon.
We’re now insured again, have a GPS and new satellite phone arriving this week, and we are as ready as ever to continue. We are not being foolhardy - we are well prepared and we will be fine.
Thanks so much for the concern though.
Ed
Felicitaciones a los dos! Acabo de descubrir esta gran asaña que van a cumplir, y realmente me dio mucha felicidad que gente tenga ese gran espirítu! Denle para adelante que lo que van a lograr es ESPECIALMENTE UNICO! Tienen todo mi apoyo y les deseo lo mejor!!
Saludos a los dos
Roberto Spinelli, desde Argentina
This is Perry from Hong Kong. I’ve read about your story from a web forum.
I know that you decide to continue your journey. Anyway, both of you are incredible already.
I am looking forward to reading your future posts.
Good Luck!
Hey you guys are so brave and inspirational. I wish I was there its seems like a one in a life time journey that im missing out on. I am jealous. ha
Be safe, god speed.