11. Go to South America

Ok so we are currently anchored in the middle of the Amazon. At least
now we can actually see land. I'm pretty sure we stopped so we can
pick up some Brazilian diplomats for "Brazil Day" tomorrow. Either
that or we have been boarded by pirates. Don't worry Mom, I don't
think that's the case because we have super high power water shooter
guns to prevent that. (I'm not kidding)

I'm writing this post from the observation deck. No one really ever
comes up here so I thought it would be the perfect place to tan. Oh
how wrong I was. 1. The observation deck is usually closed because
of strong winds. Even when we're not moving the wind is decent. I'm
nervous my computer screen's going to snap off. 2. Because we're in
the middle of the Amazon, there are bugs. At not just any bugs but
big weird ones. Icky ones. On this deck they seem especially abundant.

Dad, you'll be proud to know that once again I was "THAT girl." I had
just gotten my towel set up, had pulled out my computer, and then saw
it. It was huge and black. It looked like a black grasshopper on
steroids with a few extra limbs. I was the only one on the deck so
was contemplating what to do. I didn't have anything to throw it over
the ship with and I sure as heck wasn't going to step on it.
Thankfully Charlie and Trent came up the stairs to save me (I hadn't
met them before but now I may make a shrine to them in my room).

Fun Fact: When we are a certain distance away from shore we, they are
encouraging/berating us to use less water. Our goal is to use less 58
gallons/person per day. The day they announced this goal we were at
61 gallons. The second day we used 70 gallons! 12 over our goal….and
this is per person. I'm not sure if we did this to spite them as a
"let's stick it to the man," or what. If this was the case, it didn't
work. Staff and crew responded accordingly. While we travel through
the Amazon the crew is ceasing production of fresh water. This means
whatever we have in our water tank right now is all we have until we
get to Manaus. This may mean by the end none of us are showering at
all.

Everyday they tell us a tip on how to save water. Yesterday's was
"Shower with a friend."

Also for any one who was wondering: the mysterious objects that have
clogged the toilets twice now have been a hand towel (like the fluffy
ones in bathrooms) and yes, another hand towel. WTF people.