Saturday January 8

Brazil with all it's "scenic grandeur." Off at 5:30 on the Colonel's wing. Flew 5 hours over the top and on instruments so didn't get to see Devil's Island off the coast of French. Flew over 400 miles of dense steaming jungles without any habitation whatsoever. Crossed the equator - over 100° and 99% humidity - God. On down across the Amazon - 100 miles wide at the mouth with the huge ever-changing delta. One island 75 miles in diameter of the most fertile delta land in the world - all flat green grass with huge herds of cattle. To Belem and landed. This is Malaria infested country -sleep with mosquito nets and taking atabrine. People here are pretty dark - mostly Indian and speak Portuguese. Had the darndest time with waitresses at dinner trying to learn a little Spanish. Finally learned how to get more water etc. Tried to go to town but no soap. Belem is 3rd largest town in Brazil – 250,000 and is large rubber exporting city. All buildings red tiled roofs and no windows in any buildings - too hot. Rained 2 inch in about 3 minutes this evening - that's a lot. To bed at 8:30. Saving currency of countries we go thru - a short snorter indeed.