Shakin’ it in Parintins

Two days later, we were in Parintins, home of the Boi Bumba. Parintins is a really nice, clean town on the Amazon. One of the friendlier ports I’ve been to. One thing I’ve noticed since traveling on cruiseships which doesn’t surprise me at all. People are not happy to see you. Many folks are happy to sell you everything from knickknacks and handy crafts to their used shoes off their feet, but they are not happy to see you traipsing through their town. I understand why; one of the reasons being the way the world views America right now. Not only does “Holland America Line” have it in the name, but much of our passenger population is that of either American or Canadian origin. Though our passengers are well traveled (which they are), they are not travelers. Many of them want to see the world, exotic ports and different cultures, but they do not realize that in order to do that they have to leave the ship and experience it. I’ll give you an example. Mary-Jean-Barbara-Sue-Betty-Smith* and her husband Bill-Joe-George-John-Bob-Smith* set off to enjoy their excursion to see the various jungle tribes of the amazon. They return and spend their time telling me the bathroom facilities were either: scarce, dirty, or not organized in a way (read: hole in the ground) they would be inclined to use. They are planning to complain to the shore excursions department and get their money back. Also, they should have been told in advance that it was going to rain and they would be getting their shoes dirty with the ½ mile walk from the air conditioned bus with washroom facilities (which, by the way is MUCH too far to walk), so they are very unhappy with their day. The lunch they were served in the middle of the jungle was fixed for them by the locals, and was too bland and not enough so they are happy to get back to HAL’s famous food. (As if they haven’t had enough, because by the looks of it, they’ve definitely been getting enough food in their lifetime).

Pardon my topic-jumping. Back to Parintins. This town was different, they received us with open arms, they wanted to show us their home with pride. Most of the passengers and crew went to the Boi Bumba show. Shuttles took us to an outdoor venue where we watched a cast of over 2000 singers, musicians and dancers put on a magnificent show. The colours within the intricate set design and costuming was amazing. The many exotic birds sacrificed for the costumes, I figure were worth it for the beauty of the hundreds of thousands of feathers adorning each dancer. It was a very hot day, and as free alcohol and the blistering heat soaked into the passengers throughout the day, the shuttle ride back to the ship was more like a pub crawl with various passengers singing, shouting and just plain slurring, “I’m DRUNK!” It was a definite first for myself and the rest of the entirely sober crew to see the passengers getting back to the ship at 1:30 pm in the afternoon in this condition. It may have been a first with Holland America perhaps. Well, perhaps not as I’m sure it happens every time in Parintins. It was a great time had by all, however - even the Captain went to the show.

*Names and ports have been changed to protect the identities of our ridiculous passengers. This does not apply to the many wonderful guests we do have.