Amazon Dot Com - THE GLOBAL TRIP 2004

Amazon Dot Com

DAY 57: I was off to drop my laundry off in Iquitos to wash out the stench of vinegar-flavored yogurt and bug spray, when I ran into Richard on the street again. It was weird, because the run-in didn't feel random -- it was like he was waiting for me to come out so he could ask if I wanted him to guide me to the zoo that he mentioned to me the week before.

I don't know if it was out of boredom, but Richard followed me to the laundromat and to a travel agent he recommended so I could get a flight out of Iquitos the next day. I told him I was too tired to go to the zoo -- I had seen enough animals in their natural habitat anyway -- and just wanted to do e-mail. He left me alone after that.

I haven't seen him since, but the way things are going, I'm bound to run into another Richard or Ricardo soon enough.

I HAVE DEVELOPED A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP with The Blog; somedays I really don't want to do it, some days it is my only companion on the road. I always end up doing it -- even if it's late -- as I know as soon as I start slacking off, my enthusiasm to do it will decline and eventually, I'll lose focus -- which isn't very good for a travel writer looking to progress. David the Californian told me over beers that blog writing is tough -- particularly a daily one that strives to be a bit interesting. He compared it to committing to marathon training -- miss one day, and you start to slip and you can't let that happen.

In Chiclayo, I even had a sort of fight with The Blog. "Blog" wanted me to stay in town for half a day more to work and post an entry instead of catching that early bus to Tarapoto. I actually had to compromise with it and cut a deal: "Okay, how about if I upload the photos tonight and at least just do the writing by hand? I can transcribe it tomorrow if there is internet access. Good enough? Can we catch this bus in the morning or what?"

Call me crazy, but this is my reality of traveling solo during the low season. Pretty soon I'll be drawing a face on my notepad and start talking to it out loud in front of people. Then I really won't be blending in.

WITH FIVE DAYS worth of blog writing and over 500 pictures of the jungle to sort through, it took me pretty much all day to work on my iBook in my hostel room. I had the TV on and caught up with the latest MTV videos (Madonna and Britney?) and even Cartoon Network's new Star Wars Clone Wars cartoon -- in Spanish of course.

At night there were torrential downpours, putting a damper on the sidewalk cafe scene, so I spent the night in an internet cafe uploading all the text and pictures from my trip to the jungle.

Although uneventful, it was an exhausting day with all the work, and I went to bed watching a Spanish-dubbed Sexo y La Ciudad on Cosmo, wondering if the readers out there who don't post comments actually enjoy what I'm doing.

If you enjoy this daily travel blog, please post a comment! Give me suggestions, send me on missions, let me know how things are going back home in the USA. Knowing that I have an audience will only force me to make this blog more entertaining as the days go by. Don´t forget to bookmark it and let a friend know!

Posted by Erik on December 16, 2003 09:41 PM
TrackBack | Category: Peru

Erik,
Don't stop posting! I just gave your info to the science dept here in Vineland and they are very interesting in using your adventure in their classrooms.

I look forward to reading and following your adventures. It is a real learning experience. I love the pics of places I will never go. It feels so personal to read your stuff and to see your pics because they are happening right now.

Remember your goals to be a travel writer! This is the hard, bad part. But eventually someone will pay you to do this!

I will buy you dinner and drinks in Europe this summer!

Cathy demarco

Posted by: Cathy demarco on December 17, 2003 10:04 AM

Sorry, I'm in a new camera hook-up zone and I don't have my adapter on me...the pictures of the day weren't very interesting anyway, just a picture of my computer.

Posted by: Erik on December 16, 2003 10:28 PM

Not first, but before you LP! Muuuhahahah!

I'm glad your so dedicated to the Blog Erik. Without it, I would be condemed to reading "LP South East Asia on a shoestring" cover to cover for the 8th time! Thank you.

Posted by: Td0t on December 17, 2003 12:08 AM

I think the blog is great, even if I don't post. Wow, that jungle looked impressive. Gotta love travelling without leaving my desk...or couch for that matter. Keep up the good work!! I really enjoy reading the blog.

Posted by: SKornblum on December 17, 2003 12:31 AM

E. Keep up the exceptional work. This blog is about as close as some of us are ever going to get to a trip around the world. Looking forward to the full length glossy coffee table edition (hint hint) after your journey is complete. As Jessie said in our HS gym many many moons ago... "Keep Hope Alive!" Keep on blogging!

Posted by: Duaine on December 17, 2003 12:59 AM

yeh keep it up E. I'd rather be there through your blogs then here with mines. Want to hear it? hear it goes. Wake up, catch train, walk through security, turn on comp., w3.theGlobetrip.com, turn off comp., do it again manana.

Posted by: sim on December 17, 2003 09:38 AM

You can't even think about taking away my drug, I'm addicted. I look forward to the blog every morning, knowing one day you will be sitting on that Barnes and Noble table with your name in a large font.

Posted by: Dtella on December 17, 2003 10:15 AM

erik, don't you dare stop posting. every morning i tune in to see your adventures, what am i supposed to do if you don't write anymore. if i have to, i'll track you down and make you post. (provided there are no bugs wherever you are.) =P

Posted by: alice on December 17, 2003 10:58 AM

Erik

please don't stop wriiting i also read your blog every day. I look forward to it every morning.
Don't stop, perhaps write shorter ones sometimes so it doesn't become a burden. Or post pictures with captions that are short.

neven

Posted by: Neven on December 17, 2003 11:20 AM

Thanks guys...really. I know YOU are avid fans...I was just wondering if there were any OTHER dedicated readers out there in cyberspace -- and I don't mean those comment spammers with web links to penis pills or generic viagra!

Posted by: Erik on December 17, 2003 11:29 AM

Erik keep writing!! Your blog is something I look forward to reading everyday! I feel like I know so much more about the world looking through your perspective....really inspiring... Keep up the blogging spirits!!

Posted by: melisa on December 17, 2003 01:27 PM

OK, I'm not going to join on the kiss erock's ass bandwagon. Yes, erock, this blog does make your ass look fat. Happy now?

One writer to another, you don't do it because you want to. You do it because you HAVE to.

Write them and we'll read them. That's the artist's contract with his audience.

Posted by: Matt on December 17, 2003 11:13 PM

Wimp.

But seriously, your master plan is a damn good one (even if you were blotto at your bon voyage party when you explained it to me). Build a readership, and you'll get published.

And for your not-so-inclined-to-chime-in readers... speak up, the commenting is half the fun!

Posted by: Christy on December 19, 2003 01:04 PM