We stayed the remaining days in various parts of the jungle, which was exhausting and magnificent. The area is very rocky and finally we reached a place with massive trees and roots, where was a small emergency shelter built from flat rocks, I suppose in case an unexpected storm would come up. It was perfect to rest and dry our clothes a little bit, because the air is so humid the smallest movement will make you sweat, and after a hike like we took them every day one is completely drenched head to toe.

“woods” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

“Sebastiao Com’Sal at the rock shelter” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

Sebastiao wanted to climb through a cave-like opening that was formed from the roots of a massive tree, half way through he slipped, but we was alright.

“Sebastiao Com’Sal climbing through the roots” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

“Sebastiao Com’Sal by tree trunk” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

“Sebastiao Com’Sal in the woods” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

“Sebastiao Com’Sal sitting on the roots” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

Massive rhododendron bushes grow there with white and pink blossoms, all through the forest but particularly nearby where are any creeks or other water sources:

“rhododendron by the creek” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

“rhododendron woods 2” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

“trunks and vines” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

“branches” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

“branches 2” Credit Photo Courtesy of Sebastiao Com’Sal (2016)

Then we took a series of pictures of dying Sugarcane beetles to assess their numbers, after they mate they die off, which is heart-wrenching as one finds them lying on their backs struggling with their legs in the air, but if one helps one to turn around they can’t walk well any longer and fall over again after only a few steps. That, too, is natural life and connected to it death.

Sebastiao Com’Sal “dying Euetheola humilis” (2016)

“Sebastiao Com’Sal” dying Euetheola humilis 2 (2016)

Sebastiao Com’Sal “dying Euetheola humilis 3” (2016)

The evening of that day we saw the dying Sugarcane beetles a heavy storm came up at the end of the day and we had planned to return to base camp in the valley that evening, and started rushing for safety, only to find that the main road was blocked by a massive tree that lightning had struck. Suddenly, luckily, two indigenous guys showed up on mules out of nowhere, as it turned out they carried some considerable machetes with them and in relatively short time they had chopped the tree to pieces, which if you have not seen it you can not imagine it. With combined forces we were able to pull what was left of it to the side and off the road and so we were able to pass. They told us they were members of the hog tribe, Sebastiao was of course familiar with them, me, of course, not.

The next day we had planned to go back and do more work, but the storm was holding on and rain was pouring down the windows, so we packed and the following day came back to the hotel.

Josiane Keller “look through the window in the rain” (2016)

Josiane Keller “look through the window in the rain 2” (2016)

At the hotel since Billy’s funeral life had picked up it’s normal surreal pace once again. In fact, just on the day before we came back Starfish was shot in the leg. What had happened was that he, ChoCho and Chiaki had all gone to MISTY’S, which is a shop down the road where the queens buy their drag outfits and elegant lacy underwear.

Josiane Keller “window at MISTY’S” (2016)

Josiane Keller “window at MISTY’S 2” (2016)

For some reason someone had placed a photograph in the window by Joseph Szabo “Girls smoking, Hot Dog Beach” (1977), and they all had been standing in front of the window looking at it when Starfish said “Grandfather’s wet dream. Try harder!” Unfortunately nearby stood a guy also googling the window display and the photo, and he was displeased with Starfish’s condescending comment, sadly so he had a gun on him, and for some reason found it necessary to draw it, asking “Is a bullet clear enough for you?”, upon Starfish replied “I am a pacifist.” 

Joseph Szabo “Girls smoking, Hot Dog Beach” (1977)

And then sadly so, so they told me, the guy shot him in the leg, luckily just in the leg, it could have been worse, but Starfish went down on his knees and keeled over, almost passing out and the guy tried to run, but ChoCho grabbed him. ChoCho is very tall and strong, most guys cannot compete with him and once ChoCho has someone in a grip he probably has to wait until ChoCho chooses to let him go again. The guy, later they found out a certain Tony Braun, apparently was kicking and screaming, “Nutter, fag, slut” and the likes, Chiaki for a moment almost lost her cool, almost having a hysteric fit (and really, who’s to blame her?) but then got a grip on herself (always the cat Chiaki is very keen on staying in control at all times) and managed to get Starfish back up and tied his scarf around his leg to somewhat stop the bleeding. (Which teaches us: it is always handy to tie a scarf around your neck at all times, you might need it occasionally for other purposes that fashion.) Starfish, white like a wall in his face, half unconscious hanging over Chiaki, by then MISTY’S staff had noticed the commotion in front of their window and had called police and ambulance.

Mr. Tony Braun was arrested under loud protest, but apparently he didn’t get such a massive punishment anyways, asshole, quite a shame really, everyone here anyways thinks a guy with attitude like that and a gun on top of it is a super bad combination and should be locked up, but such is life, so apparently he is already back out on the street with a court date coming up God knows when.

Starfish luckily was after all not as badly hurt, and so today, after we came back, he was already fit enough to sit on the balcony with the others, chilling, drinking beer and getting stoned, and telling the adventurous tale, or rather nodding to Chiaki and Larry telling it. Having said that, it must hurt nevertheless quite a bit and I am a bit shocked, I have to say. Oh my, which is more adventurous, really? Life in the jungle hopping through the woods and over rocks with Sebastiao or life in the hotel, I really don’t know!

Josiane Keller “Starfish’s shot leg” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Starfish’s shot leg 2” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Starfish with a shot leg” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Starfish with a shot leg and Chiaki” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Larry” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Starfish with a shot leg and Chiaki 2” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Chiaki talking to Starfish (double)” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Starfish’s shot leg 3” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Larry 2” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Larry 3” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Chiaki talking to Starfish 3” (2016)

Josiane Keller “Starfish’s shot leg 4” (2016)