[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MxFlsB0DhBQ/Un2swDLaiDI/AAAAAAAAYTA/sk9JeECfklk/s144-c-o/PA270124.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944097024685803570″ caption=”A bunch of the indigenous people visiting the station from next door’s village” type=”image” alt=”PA270124.JPG” ]

Visit from many locals of the nearby village

Pos: here
Loc: Rio Barima
Acc: Pilot station

I decided to have a rest day in my air conditioned room. After seven days of paddling through the bush I think I deserved it! The three river pilots George, Julio and Lenin spoke good English and were nicely looking after me with chats and helpful hands. Thanks! Many thanks also to the boss of the station José Domingo to host me here with an air conditioned room! They are having in these times after the new presidents’ election unfortunately not too much work, as large trade ships are getting less with the economy a bit on the hold. Their jobs is to guide the large ships into the river system to a bunch of bigger towns without them having the destiny of the three wrecks just across the station. They are usually entering the ships by helicopter, so a helicopter pilot is part of the team. Basically an interesting job!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QXARzEiUyhg/Un2sL7tFMPI/AAAAAAAAYTA/ubd4CaRXO_I/s144-c-o/PA270125.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944096404204237042″ caption=”Two cute indigenous kids” type=”image” alt=”PA270125.JPG” ]

Besides enjoying nice meals, a huge bunch of locals in three shifts were coming over from the village at the river entrance for a visit. The pilots say they are coming over every Sunday, as other people are visiting the mall on their “free day”…just hanging out there, having a look around and being happy to get this or that in trade for fish.This Sunday obviously some “special” was on the viewing list, and they were as curious about seeing me as I was about seeing them. They were coming over with all their families and kids, from babies to grown ups, the women breastfeeding them constantly.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HnK1c4Ousyw/Un2o-ducbVI/AAAAAAAAYTA/3gvWR-xge0g/s144-c-o/PA260114.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944092874283707730″ caption=”The indigenous village at the mouth of Rio Barima before the pilot station” type=”image” alt=”PA260114.JPG” ]

Still I was surprised about their level of westernisation already, having in their relatively large village with maybe 15 houses, a generator, sat dish and TV as well as many cell phones which were working here with an old analogue system, unfortunately not with my Venzuelan sim card. The women were dressed with taste, nail polish, bras and make up was not unknown. The kids had also nice clothing on, but were unfortunately very shy. I had a hard time to get a smile out of them, despite my entertainment efforts which the adults seem to very much appreciate. Living on the water, they admired and valued my boat and trip, but most of them couldn’t read the text on my card. Still a few of the leading guys spoke some English, and must be the ones who trade the luxuries into the country, probably from Trinidad or Guyana, in some way or another.There is not too much to generate here what they could trade…

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2JTEg0lFAko/Un2Ymt8RCVI/AAAAAAAAYTA/WR29QbUdEX8/s144-c-o/20131026_173108.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944074874133743954″ caption=”River pilot George, eventually a good size man! :-)” type=”image” alt=”20131026_173108.jpg” ]

I really enjoyed their visit and encounter, maybe I will stop by their village on tomorrow’s paddle. I decided not to take the river, as it is eventually with 100 km 20 km longer than going around the outside. I would have to sleep once, not sure if I’d find a spot. Outside, I know at least about this fishing platform where the Henry brothers stayed, the rest should also be inaccessible muddy forest. The next spot is at the large river entrance with a good beach, both about 40 km distance each. Should be doable, even as usual against wind and tide. It may be about 8-10 days to Georgetown.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Q54qFWoZGA/Un2YzsNWgoI/AAAAAAAAYTA/HD6HYMwHykU/s144-c-o/20131026_173057.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944075097006834306″ caption=”River pilot Julio” type=”image” alt=”20131026_173057.jpg” ]

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Af0BLGNSvi4/Un2rE-jXTxI/AAAAAAAAYTA/mFE9DxgDjbc/s144-c-o/PA270122.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage16VenezuelaTrinidadGuyanaCaracasToGeorgetown#5944095185198075666″ caption=”The helicopter of the station on a concrete platform on the swampy hinterland. Jaguars are around, dogs guard the station from them…” type=”image” alt=”PA270122.JPG” ]