Santarém, Brazil
During the past two days we have traveled nearly 500 miles up the Amazon River to the port city of Santarém which has a population of 300,000. Along the way we passed endless miles of tropical rainforest. Founded in 1661, Santarém lies at the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers. Because of poor roads, its people rely heavily on the river waterways for transport. Small craft, fishing boats and ferries are everywhere. Produce, fuel, supplies and equipment not produced locally arrive by boat at the municipal docks. In the center of Old Town is its oldest building, Santarém Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Conception. According to our guide, the church was built on the burial ground of the Tupulicus Indian settlement. This was a strategic decision by the Jesuits to "draw" the Indians to the church when they visited their deceased ancestors. It decision resulted in the conversion of the Indians to Catholicism....