Day 83: Pantanal, Brazil

There are certain times when we ´´acquire´´ stray travelers. Some are really cool people and some are really, really not. Our bunkmate whom we lovingly refer to as Frenchie since we never actually did proper introductions has decided to latch onto us. Normally we don`t mind these kinds of liasons and they often prove to be quite fun. This one is merely a frustratingly unattachable cling-on. Frenchie loves to talk but not just to people or about the weather or the tour. No, that would be too easy. The only things this guy talks about are (1) himself, and (2) how great France is compared to…the whole world.

Don`t get us wrong: we`ve been to France and enjoyed it very much. We have several European friends, French among them, and have no problem with any particular culture but this guy was the reason that the ´´pompous Frenchman´´ stereotype was invented!

Anyone who knows Saben knows he loves to talk. Not even he could compete with Frenchie! This guy was crazy and apparently has been so well practiced at talking, he doesn`t even need to pause to breathe. Neither of us has ever heard anyone who talks about himself so much, without even a single question about his unfortunate listener to seem even the tiniest bit polite. Not only is he our bunkmate but he has officially installed himself as our meal-mate and, we just found out, is in all our daily activities. I foresee a great deal of ear bleeding and head to the wall bashing in the near future.

Day 2 in the buggy, swampy Pantanal. Our bugspray isn`t working. Let`s hope those anti-malarials are! Early start today at 7am for a walk through the woods. We saw an armadillo, monkies, a few birds, and rudely interruped a group of 4 wild boars as we cut through their path. They ran away and we didn`t see much because you-know-who was yammering away to a couple of Irish guys in our newly formed group. Not sure why any of those 3 are here. They don`t seem interested at all in any kind of wildlife we come across. Anyway, it was an extra buggy trip in which several reapplications of bugspray were completely futile. Maybe it`s all the carbon dioxide from Frenchie`s constantly flapping jaws that the bugs are attracted to.

Armadillo in the swamp

After a relaxing (and quiet!) afternoon siesta, we were ready for some equestrian feats. Ok, Ok, so we were just going to take a jaunt through the jungle on horseback, but still! There were 7 horses saddled up waiting for us. In the back there was a significantly shorter horse saddled up with a flowered blanket–a funny contrast to the 6 other monstrously tall horses with sheep wool saddle blankets. The only lady in the group, Lin knew that would be hers and felt a brush of embarrassment at having such a small horse. She greeted it and decided to call it Daisy for the afternoon before mouting. Saben later informed her that “Daisy“ was a boy (Oops!). Having only been on an old trail horse at age 6, Lin was a bit nervous and secretly thankful that Luis had saddled up the smallest horse for her. Saben`s was a tall chesnut beauty, about 16 hands (fancy horse lingo for you). An amature rider himself, he was just itching to take the horse out for a run through he field. Luis asked him not to, even though both knew the horse would love it and be right back in line for the ride we were about to take.

Lin on Mr. Daisy

Saben and his Mohawk styling horse

It was a generally fun ride although frequently punctuated with some serious after-lunch horse farts and Frenchie`s voice. Rough stuff! We didn`t see many animals, just a few birds but we crossed part of the lake through the water and caugh a glimpse of yet another couple of caimans. Maybe too much talking scared away any animals we might have seen.Ugh…

At dinner, we had a nice surprise–Frenchie had abandonded us and took up with the two Irishmen who seemed to actually enjoy his company! I`ve never learned so much about one person in so short a time, nor did I ever imagine learning so much about France and its incomparable awesomeness. Well, viva la francia!