4 Degrees North Part 1

4 Degrees North...of the equator. That's where we spent the last month. I have always dreamed of travelling to South America, but I have to be honest. The country of Suriname wasn't even on the radar of possible destinations. Seriously, they don't even speak Spanish there. The official language is Dutch, although only a small percentage of the upper class speak that. Most people speak a unique blend of Dutch, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and African dialects all wrapped up into one language.

The Amazon Jungle

"So, how was the jungle?"
                       Well, let me give you a rundown...
Caiman         
     pink-footed tarantulas
          grasshoppers with pincers
                     3 snakes              
       
piranha, wolf fish, peacock bass
                     scorpions


Ellie enjoyed riding in the boat.

18 kids          
     3 stitches, 2 medical evacuations to the city
                    guitars, singing, clapping
                              little girl giggles
                                   3 Matthews, 2 Ellies

1 rope swing
            swimming in the river
                        washing LOTS of laundry in river


Levi fell out of his hammock.

        Jungle pedicures

              boat rides to the store
                          boat rides to church
                                       1 wrecked boat
                        2 birthday celebrations
4th of July
            fireworks
                    ice cream and slushy Coke
                                         hammocks and mosquito nets
      

 Of course, there was so much more. And that is why this is only part 1.