Monday, June 2nd, 2003 – Day 104 (PART B) …. continued from last post.
I went to the Barrio de Belén around 11.00am, about a 15-minute walk south along the malec?n. It is Iquitos’s most unusual quarter. Known for its sprawling, colorful, and odiferous open-air market, where you’ll find a bounty of strange and wonderful Amazon fish, fauna, and fruits, Belén’s residential district is a seedy and extremely poor but endlessly fascinating shantytown. Houses are constructed above the waters of the Amazon, and when the river is high, transportation is by canoe. Met a guy in a canoe. I offered hime 10 Soles for an hour trip around the place which he accepted. It gives squalor a good anme. Reminded me of Asia again with stalls selling all types of exotic material from fish to fruit. Watch your stuff here. the trip was nice. Even thought the water was black, with the blue sky there was a breautiful reflection. I tipped the guy another 1.50 to ensort me from the jetty to the market as there were some hard looking guys about that particualar area.
It’s an atmospheric and photogenic place, akin to Calcutta. There is also a market, which extends over several blocks, is itself a wild place to visit, with all sorts of extraordinary exotic items for sale, including potions used by faith healers, paiche fish, and Amazonian fruits such as maracuy? (passion fruit), aguaje, cocona, and others.
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Iquitis – Peru (02-06-2003)
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Iquitis – Peru (02-06-2003)
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Iquitis – Peru (02-06-2003)
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Iquitis – Peru (02-06-2003)
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Iquitis – Peru (02-06-2003)
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Iquitis – Peru (02-06-2003)
I got back to town around two and spend the rest of the day walking about. It was sunny and pleasant. You will get touts approaching you either directly or worse as a supposed friendly local offering advice .. ignore them.
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Iquitis – Peru. Main catherdral and plaza (02-06-2003)