Monday January 27, 2020 – At sea on the way to the Amazon River and Manaus. Today, there were three lectures we attended. The first an interesting port lecture about Santarem, our Port on the Amazon River after Manaus and situated about half way between Manaus and the Ocean (Belem). It has a population of 300K and is in the midst of the rain forest. Some deforestation has occurred and has given way to the Soya Bean cultivation that is a key element to the local economy. There is not much to see in the city other than the Church, a museum, the town center – Fisherman’s Square and the two colored (black and brown) Amazon River running side by side from the Tapajos lookout. A local delicacy is the Tucúpi sauce (with or without hot peppers), that is used to cover fish, meat or any other dishes. It is made from Cassava or Manioc root and if not made properly can be poisonous.
The second fascinating lecture was by Tony White entitled “Game of Minds” about how mind altering drugs have been used in attempts to gain control over the minds of people. Included are bizarre State sponsored top-secret projects. The question of “has there ever been a “truth-telling drug” or a “love potion” or indeed a chemical way to enlightenment?” was discussed.
He started off discussing Albert Hofmann – a brilliant Swiss chemist and his work on LSD. Next Charles Manson and his control Of his “girls”; then to the Jonestown disaster where over 900 people she were daily given juice with LSD, one day happily took juice with arsenic as they were controlled by their leader. Jim Morrison was transfixed by Aldous Huxley’s “The Doors of Perception” and his work with methamphetamines. Thus the name of the group “The Doors”. He discussed magic mushrooms, Timothy Leary – Turn on, Tune in and Drop Out theory. Ruffles, Ketamine and other such drugs rounded out the amusing and informative talk.
The third talk was by AW Pereira on Brazil’s Economic Development over the last 30 years. Some of the key characteristics of Brazilian economic development are a recent transitioning from an agrarian to an urban society and the widespread entry of women into the workforce. There is a low level of basic education with deep inequalities of income and wealth which results in a high homicide rate. There is a large state owned sector of the economy and / or control by the state with shallow capital markets. He provided us with a brief overview of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). Some of the key statistics population Brazil 210 million Russia 144 million India 1.324 Billion to China 1.404 billion and South Africa 56 million. The GDP per capita in US$ is Brazil 8,633; Russia 8,898; India 1,717 China 7,996 and South Africa 5,280. Other interesting statistics are the mix of export by country – food and agriculture – Brazil exports 40%; Russia 5%; India 11%; China 4%; No numbers for South Africa. Fuel and Minerals – Brazil 20%; Russia 76%; India 18%; China 4%; and South Africa 40%. Manufactured goods are – Brazil 40%; Russia 19%; India 70%; China 92% and South Africa 15%. The final telling statistic is the International Reserves in US$ Billions – Brazil 365; Russia 377; India 362; China 3,098 and South Africa 47.
We decided that we would try having dinner in the Golden Lion pub. this turned out to be a bit of a disaster and not worth repeating. The menu is totally different from the regular pub lunch. We have selected various items none of which were really all that good and the service was slow and the waiters did not really know what was on the menu as when we asked about certain dishes they basically said “I don’t know” and had the attitude of I really couldn’t care less about it. They seem to be there to serve drinks only and I believe we were the only people in the pub having dinner. That said, it is a terrific place to have lunch as we did today and enjoyed regular pub food.
After dinner we went to the theater and were very amused by the British comedian and excellent piano player Jon Courtenay.
Roger & Anne Travels 