Manaus, Brazil: Humidity, Monkeys, and a Whole Lotta Confusion
okay, so. manaus. wow. i’m still pretty sure my hair hasn’t fully recovered. i just checked and it’s…a thick, damp blanket clinging to everything right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 26.95 degrees, feels like 29.91. the pressure’s at 1012, humidity’s a solid 83%, and honestly, i’m surprised i’m not dissolving into a puddle.
I’m a touring session drummer, you see, and this gig - a weird, experimental project with a Brazilian percussionist - landed me smack-dab in the middle of the Amazon. Not exactly my usual circuit of smoky London clubs, but hey, variety is the spice of life, right? Or, in this case, the humidity.
First things first: the heat. It’s not just hot, it’s heavy. Like someone wrapped you in a warm, wet towel and then told you to run a marathon. I swear, my drumsticks felt like lead. And the mosquitos? Don’t even get me started. I’m pretty sure I donated a significant portion of my blood supply to the local insect population.
I spent a lot of time wandering around the *Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, which is…an experience. The smells! The colors! The sheer volume of exotic fruits I’ve never seen before! Someone told me that if you’re not careful, you’ll end up buying a live monkey. I didn’t, thankfully, but I did get some seriously potent passion fruit juice.
I overheard some drunk advice at a bar near the Teatro Amazonas - apparently, the best way to avoid getting ripped off by taxi drivers is to negotiate the price before you get in. Genius, right? I should have listened. I definitely overpaid for a ride back to my hotel.
Speaking of the Teatro Amazonas…it’s stunning. Seriously, a gilded opera house in the middle of the rainforest? It’s completely bonkers. I took a tour - you can find details here: TripAdvisor Manaus. Worth every penny (even if I’m still slightly bitter about the taxi fare).
If you get bored, Parintins and Itacoatiara are just a short drive away. I didn’t make it out there this time, but I’ve heard they’re beautiful.
Here’s a quick gear list for anyone else brave enough to venture into the Amazonian humidity:
*Drumsticks: Bring lots. They’ll warp. Seriously. I went through three pairs.
*Mosquito repellent: Industrial strength. Like, the stuff they use in military zones.
*Dehumidifier: Okay, maybe not. But a really good towel would be nice.
*Waterproof everything bag: Your phone, your passport, your dignity…
*Earplugs: For the jungle noises. And the questionable karaoke.
I also stumbled across a local forum - Manaus Community Board - which had some interesting discussions about the best places to eat tapioca*. Apparently, there’s a fierce rivalry between different vendors. I need to investigate next time.
One thing a local warned me about? Don’t drink the tap water. Obvious, I know, but worth repeating. Stick to bottled water or filtered water. Your stomach will thank you.
And finally, a random overheard snippet: “The river spirits are watching you, you know.” Creepy, but also kind of fitting for a place like this. I’m checking out some reviews on Yelp Manaus to see if anyone else has had any…spiritual encounters.
Honestly, Manaus is chaotic, humid, and occasionally terrifying. But it’s also vibrant, fascinating, and unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been. Would I go back? Probably. Just maybe with a bigger supply of mosquito repellent.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/baidoa-my-camera-chaos-the-gigs-that-didnt-happen
- https://topiclo.com/post/tiranas-heat-hormones-a-street-artists-unfiltered-walk-through-chaos
- https://topiclo.com/post/mumbais-messy-magic-where-the-weather-hugs-you-and-the-weather-hugs-you-and-the-streets-sing
- https://topiclo.com/post/gemlik-where-industrial-meets-olive-groves-and-thats-about-it
- https://topiclo.com/post/manila-mayhem-humidity-halohalo-and-honestly-just-trying-to-survive