RULES OF THE WILD

RULES OF THE WILD It has been six months from the start of the Amazon 5000 Expedition and we can now put together some conclusions and "rules" to be adapted by ones who think on going locations through the heart of the Amazon - the RULES of the WILD!  We collected some Do's and Don'ts and how they played out in the crisis we experienced along the trail and of which, kept us during the past few weeks at the edge of our seats! BUT MAINLY THIS IS AN UPDATE OF MICKEY'S PROGRESS ALONG HIS AMAZON 5000 EXPEDITION TRAIL for all of you friends, family and fans who are asking:  WHERE IS MICKEY NOW?

RULE #1: Never stop an expedition for more than one night at the SAME location, while in the Amazon, always keep moving.    It is early November when Mickey Grosman and his Amazon 5000 team settle the expedition on the Amazon river bank in the desolate jungle town of Tabatinga Brazil. They are awaiting the next expedition team member; Joe Flowers from N. Carolina, to join them in 5 days. Mickey takes these days to let his team rest and recoup their energy from the tireless trek that started on the pacific shore of Ecuador, six months ago. It is during this rest period that Mickey finalizes logistics for the next leg of his journey meeting with the local indigenous in preparation for Leg 8 and where Mickey is identifying locations rich in wildlife for exploration.  Back at home we are nervous! The pre-expedition research we conducted in the year prior to the beginning of the expedition pointed out this location might be of the worst and the most dangerous one among all. Settled between a major river intersection shared by three countries; Peru Colombia and Brazil this area is well known for its high crime and is suggested to be a major artery for drug trafficking. We bite our nails waiting for the new expedition member to arrive from Miami to Tabatinga and for Mickey to leave this location immediately and continue the expedition. "Keep going Mickey" we whisper... "keep going man!" This "minor" delay proves to be very costly to the expedition and a catalyst for a turn of events in the coming days... RULE #2 Never get sick while crossing the Amazon!  As Joe Flowers landed on the short runway of Tabatinga he is greeted not by the scene he expected. Mickey it seems has just fallen ill, developing debilitating headaches and fever. Every muscle and joint ached with inexplicable pain and as the days went on, the team witnesses Mickey's health deteriorating as he was diagnosed with Dengue Fever. Little did the team know the relentless swarm of mosquitoes that annoyed them in the jungle brought with them a deadly disease. Mickey seeking medical care faints at the clinic door. He is admitted into a small make shift hospital and treated for this life threatening illness. Mickey's "recovery" delays the expedition even more. As weak as his body is, Mickey's strength of mind is still evident. Mickey is anxious to get back on his feet and continue the expedition, especially now that Joe has just arrived. RULE #3: DROP to your knees "hands up" when told so, especially while in the Amazon! (It will not hurt if you bury your face into the sand too...)   It has been over a week now that the expedition stays in one location while Mickey who is bedridden in a local motel room attempts to recover his illness, and the expedition is not moving forward --- that's not good (see Rule #1). Camping out on the River bank for so long his team captures the attention of the locals. The Amazon 5000 team is made out of all good people: Ecuadorians, Peruvians, and the main characters - "gringos" Americans. The locals are curious...not knowing why these foreigners settled down in their neighborhood. Rumors began to spread over this little town that sits on the main artery of the Amazon river and is infested with crime. That's not good and Mickey knows it, He must break camp and leave this town as quickly as possible. But he is far from standing strong on his feet and is still battling the Dengue disease. Regaining some strength after a week, Mickey returns to the expedition campground where his team finally breaks camp preparing to move forward. All geared and packed, ready to leave the town, they are suddenly swarmed by 20 armed police force. Yet again the Amazon 5000 Expedition team find themselves in a dangerous situation, looking down the barrels of the guns, this time of the Tabatinga's federal police unit. The police shout aggressively in Portuguese tongue with the only clear word understood by all being "drugs, drugs"... and order the team to the ground. All but Mickey submit to the police orders and drop down to their knees, hands-up... some bury their faces in the sand. Mickey remains standing with arms down and hands open in a neutral stance. Being a proud Special Forces veteran, where he looked so many times at death to its face and now proudly wearing the American flag on his expedition shirt, Mickey is ticked off, refuses to be humiliated or let anyone degrade his country, the U.S.A. Over the police loud yelling and aggressive body language he tries to communicate with them and tells them that he and his team are not there in Brazil for any wrong doing. None of the police members understands neither English, nor Spanish or want to hear him at all. Realizing he is the expedition leader they reach to Mickey quickly and handcuff him. They search through the belongings of every team member while those are watching mournfully, for their expedition survival gear; knives, machetes and also a bear mace canister (that serves them as a self defense tool) is being confiscated. Knowing they have done nothing wrong, the team is astonished when the police drag Mickey away to the local police station, leaving them leaderless and with no direction.  About an hour later, without Mickey present, the police return to camp, but this time they go on search to the surrounding neighborhood area. From someplace there, they now confiscate a single shot - hunting rifle commonly carries by locals in the region. And... they detain Mickey in the local jail with no communication to the outside world. Once again an obstacle stands in Mickey's way, threatening to put a stop to his journey of HOPE!  Will this break him?  Back at home, we are informed of the crisis by Joe Flowers. Communicating with different people throughout the week, the stories vary and local speculations from the street level make their way to us. The reason for the police raid on the Amazon 5000 campground and for Mickey's detention stays shrouded in darkness. No official explanation is provided and Mickey's health keeps him unable to defend himself. Everyday Joe visits Mickey, together with Coy Webb, a local young American missionary who lives in that town. Coy and his young wife Priscila, who have just met the expedition team a few days earlier takes the situation to heart and volunteer to help Mickey using their knowledge of the town.Together with Joe, Coy brings food to Mickey once a day to nourish his body and check on his treatment. It is clear to see over the next few days: Mickey's health is once again deteriorating, and this time very fast. He is coughing up blood and looks almost skeletal. The dengue fever knocks Mickey down once again.  The two young guys demand medical attention from the federal police. The police comply as even they can see Mickey is now facing a life or death situation. Within 24 hours Mickey's health is once again taking a very bad turn. Suffering from the more extreme level of Dengue Fever -- Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever a disease also known as "breakbone" fever Mickey is now being rushed to a military hospital where he is being treated with intravenous rehydration methods. He is bleeding internally throwing up constantly and suffering a pain as if his bones are broken. This disease can hit in 3-4 cycles, each phase hitting harder than the one before and Mickey is experiencing his second cycle already and is in desperate need of medical attention -- in risk of slipping into dengue shock syndrome where dangerously low blood pressure occurs. RULE #4: Know your country consulate office, emergency phone number in advance.   Joe Flowers has taken charge and communicates the situation at hand with the home team. Seeing Mickey's health decline brings the reality of how dire the situation is quickly becoming. With no explanation from the police, no communication with Mickey and Mickey looking very ill it was urgent to do something to get Mickey out of detention and provide him with proper medical care. Back home, the Amazon 5000 team attempts to reach out to the U.S. Consulate office in Manaus. After contacting the State Department, an initial connection is made with the U.S. Embassy in Brazillia, Brazil - 2000 miles away from Tabatinga. With a long holiday weekend in the States and a week-long holiday in Brazil, it takes several calls until the right contact is made and action is able to begin. Consulting with Dr. Kyle Ver-Steeg, back in Iowa, we are learning Mickey's health symptoms needed urgent attention from the onset and the situation is gloomy. The U.S. Consul in Brazil, after following local official procedures is able to make the first phone call to Mickey. He reports to us of his impression of Mickey's health and is aware of the need to provide Mickey with immediate care and full attention. A few days later, he is able to send a consular agent to visit Mickey. RULE #5: Make sure to choose your expedition team mates carefully and have a strong backbone buddies back you up at home.   Kyle Ver Steeg, who has just left the Amazon 5000 expedition two months ago is in constant communication with the home team. Experiencing the expedition with Mickey he knows Mickey is on a starvation diet as result of living off the land and taking into consideration his previous cancer battle, Kyle is horrified to hear of Mickey's condition. He is concerned for Mickey's life and prepares to take flight to Brazil and see to Mickey's medical attention himself. Kyle's able to expedite a Brazilian Visa but not being an official US representative, Kyle will not be allowed into the military hospital where Mickey is kept at in Tabatinga. Kyle is determined to help and bring Mickey home and even the Amazon 5000 home team is now concerned this disease may take Mickey's life. It is now our only hope to stop the expedition and bring him safely home. Joe Flowers is now working diligently and around the clock on the Tabatinga ground dealing with an international drama. He works tirelessly to network and speak with the locals in Brazil to get medical help and relief for Mickey. This is not what he has expected when he landed on the Amazon grounds. Instead of trekking the dense jungle of the Amazon, exploring its marvelous and wildlife and testing his survival limits, instead he is now battling a different kind of survival-ability. Involved in an International crisis, he dips his legs in waters he has never been before. But it is a health crisis and Joe is standing up for the task. Getting some strong encouragement from Kyle Ver Steeg back at home, Joe is keeping his head up and providing support for Mickey. Meanwhile, the Amazon 5000 Expedition support team with much dedication waits for Mickey by the river, guarding the gear and keeping their spirits high for Mickey's return. A very significant “Backbone” support and a “Life-Line” to Mickey’s family and to the Amazon 5000 team back home and abroad is ‘The Satellite Phone Store’ of Sarasota, Florida! Sponsoring Mickey and the expedition from the get go, providing a wide line of Satellite devices and a budget for Airtime usage this sponsorship proved to be Priceless!  The good people at the SPS of Sarasota are playing a big role in keeping the safety of the A5K expedition team, especially through crises and as this one unfolded! With Mickey unable to stand on his feet Joe Flowers is now in possession of all the electronics, and he is using them to its full potential. Without any other mean of communication at this isolated town Joe is reporting to us back home using the Satellite phone two to three times a day, keeping us informed of Mickey’s health and working with us on logistics to release Mickey and provide him with an immediate care and relief. Providing the Amazon 5000 expedition with state of the art equipment in communication devices we cannot thank enough the good people of Satellite Phone Store for their belief in Mickey and of his inspirational journey as well as their kind sponsorship and the behind the scenes support have they provided all along.   RULE #6: A 5000 mile expedition across continent, in a call to end Cancer and inspire those who are in the battle, CANNOT succeed without A WORLD WIDE SUPPORT.   It takes a lot of courage, good intentions and amounts of logistics and preparations for one to do suchan expedition as Mickey Grosman does! But it could not have taken place without the support of youall back at home and around the world! One cannot take such initiative and dare to go through such obstacles without having a strong backing of support you all provide. YOU are the backbone of his support, and Mickey is counting on you!

As of three weeks ago, with a Brazilian local judge allows for the Amazon 5000 expedition to continue all the way, Mickey was released from Jail, something we are most definitely thankful for during this time of Holidays. Though it was not an ideal situation, Mickey says it was an "out of this world" and unbelievable experience he would not take back and will share with us down the road.  While losing 40 pounds due to his health crisis, he gained a lot of support and compassion from the local people including the hospital staff, the jail guards and local villagers who are now following the Amazon 5000 Expedition virtually over our social network pages.    Two weeks ago Mickey has resumed the expedition, heading now along the Amazon river towards Manaus. He is not fully recovered yet and still suffers pain all over his body - a fact that slows him down and lower his physical energy.  There are still chances the Dengue Fever will hit him again in a third episode. We are worried about Mickey but he is determined as always to continue. Join us in encouraging his strength of will and endurance to go on! Thank you Mickey, you truly are making the Impossible, Possible!

A short blog from Mickey Grosman: A TALE OF AN AMAZON FRUIT

Yesterday we found a fruit tree in the jungle, fruit I have never seen before. The indigenous collected the fruit and explained me that the locals use it as sun block (sunscreen) 

My curiosity kicked in.  My supply of sun block cream made in America is getting low and finding a natural remedy to protect my skin appealed to me. Dr. Wayne, My cancer doctor is watching me all the time looking carefully at my pictures I post to make sure I follow his orders: Nose face and ears must be protected with sun block at ALL TIME. My Melanoma cancer cells, if still developing in my body are hungry for food. I must prevent it…

So I wanted to test this remedy. A month ago while still up the Curaray River I have used natural clay as sun blocker. You take what mother Earth gives you when you are away from the nearest CVS.   

Santa, a Peruvian guy who just joined my expedition team began preparing the mix. He squeezed the white juice first and then removed the white color gooey pulps out of it. Mixing it all well we have had now a nice white creamy paste. Santa smmired the paste carefully over my face, forehead and neck, in nice layers, perfect coding that suppose to provide me with protection from the sun.

Only 20 minutes to my facial treatment and I see all my Amazon 5000 indigenous team guys watching me and cracking up with huge laughter! What? What’s the story Delfin??? Delfin is my translator in situations where my Spanish is to no avail… No one, not Delfin can speak. They are holding their tummies so not to explode and laughing their lungs out. I look behind me. Is it something there that I don’t see that cause them to tear from laughter? No, they say and point their fingers at my face. I touch my face. Still feel creamy… remove my fingers and look at them. Oy Vey! IT’S ALL BLACK!

What? I must find a mirror and see what they see – but I quickly understand. They prank me…these busters! They knew this white fruit turn black in only 15 minutes. They are happy now big time like kids who prank their teacher. As for me….? this fruit, although a real sun block, actually stained the skin. My skin is now dyed black and will stay like that for at least two weeks. Luckily my beard is still reddish blond – my identity is saved!

And as for Delfin, Timothy, Santa, Nicky and the rest – revenge is coming your way guys… be aware!

On a small note…in only two days I am to meet Kyle Ver Steeg and Aaron Sheldrick who are flying from Minnesota and Iowa to the jungles of Peru only to join me aboard Amazon 5000 expedition. I am wondering….is this the man they are expecting to see?  

A Dangerous Turning Point: Entering the Land of the Savages

 The Amazon 5000 Expedition Continues

The Amazon Jungle is full of wonder and mystery, but it is also full of danger. In the remote jungle there are no rules, there is no enforcement,  everyone lives by the law of their own land.

No one knows this more than the 4 indigenous tribesmen who have joined Mickey for the Amazon 5000 Expedition. These men have been born and raised in the jungles of the Amazon. This jungle is their home, their playground and yet there is still a part of
this jungle that brings much fear to these people.It is the land of the Tagaeri's.

In the heart of the Amazon Jungle, near the Ecuadorian/Peruvian border is the territory of the Tagaeri's. The Tagaeri Tribe is one of the last known uncontacted indigenous tribes in the world. They live a very primitive life and are hostile to those who cross their territory. They are most known for their deadly weapon, the spear. Known as one of the world's most violent tribes, they are in every essence of the word, savages.

The Tagaeri, once a part of the Huaorani tribe, live in voluntary isolation and have a distrust of the outside world due to the deforestation controversial oil companies are doing in the area that has been killing off their food source. Living off the land, it is essential that they protect it by any means possible. It is the most valuable thing to them, they can not survive if their food sources are contaminated, consumed, burned or torn down.

In his years as adventures leader in the Amazon basin region, running his Eco-Planet Adventure travel company, Mickey had a brush with fate. Mickey had a brief close encounter with the Tagaeri people. He knows first hand about this tribe.  Now Mickey and his team are about to enter this perilous land of the Tagaeri people to continue the lengthy Amazon trek of 5000 miles East. This most ominous path he is taking now will bring aboard a great chance he will encounter with the Tagaeri people - once again! The only difference is then he traveled only at the outskirts of this territory while now he is intending to cross straight through it, into the heart of the Tagaeri land.

Many stories about encounters with the Tagaeri's turned deadly. One of the most famous encounters was depicted in the film End of The Spears. A film about missionaries who came to visit the tribe and were speared to death as soon as they arrived to the community.

These events, encountering the Tagaeri, hit close to home for Amazon 5000 expedition team member, Bartolo. Bartolo has a horrifying story of his own.  

Read here as Mickey unfolds a very dark moment from Bartolo's past and what happened when his family encountered the Tagaeri's...  

   

Mickey:
Bartolo is a 38 year old Ecuadorian from Pavacachi, a member of the Kichwa tribe.  I have known this man for a little over 6 years, he has helped me on several occasions as a guide while I led my eco-adventure survival courses through his land located at the Amazon basin.  Bartolo is a helpful member of the Amazon 5000 expedition team, he is the strongest of the indigenous and has the most energy.  He served some time on duty in the Ecuadorian military where his physical strength and strong mental endurance probably came from.  

After a short break of few days  in my expedition, giving my team members time to gain energy back, I am now preparing to embark on Leg 6 to my expedition and ready to enter the dangerous land of the savage. For the past several days I have met  with local people of the region and interviewed them about the Tagaeri tribe and their known habits to the locals in that stretch of land I am about to cross . Bartolo, who lives with his family along the South edge of the Tagaeri territory became agitated as our final preparation took final shape. Its obvious he is nervous. He carries a heavy load of memories on his strong built shoulders and he decided he will share it with the expedition team so we will all know what’s ahead of us. At no point did Bartolo suggest he is pulling back and leaving the expedition.

We are sitting by the fire letting the last light of the day vanish into the canopies and the last sound of the Amazon birds turn to silence. 

 
Knowledge is power and I agree with Bartolo and support his decision to tell us all his story:

Bartolo:
The Tagaeries are a family clan that separated from the Huaorani tribe.  They are a very violent and vicious tribe that remains uncontacted to this day!  

 
About 8 years ago my father in-law, mother in-law, and my 6 year old son were traveling up the Curary river to bring their load of fruit from our land to a far friendly community along the river. they stopped on the way and camped out riverside in a small thatched roof shelter that they quickly fixed up before night fell that day.  Being all alone  and knowing the jungle rules they purposefully camped out on the South riverside that was opposite of the Tagaeri territory to avoid any confrontation with them.  The river was by local acquiescence the border between the Kichwa and the Tagaeri tribes. One accepts civilization, the other not! The Tagaeri are hostile to the Kichwa community for adapting civilization.

My family woke up around 05:30 (as costumed here) to prepare a fire for breakfast.  My father in-law was busy preparing the fire while the grandmother and grandson - my child - were down at the river washing. It was a peaceful morning not revealing what is about to happen. They have not noticed they were followed the evening before by eyes and shadows hiding behind the thick jungle trees on the North side of the river. Under cover of darkness of that night while my family slept sound a small group of the Tagaeri had swam across the river and prepared to attack my family. they waited until first light to make their move.  My father in-law was the first to be attacked... when I went later that day to seek for them I found my father in-law’s body with 13 spears pierced into his heart and soul.  The Tagaeries, as per their custom, marked their kill by leaving their spears in him.

And then, they hid again!
When grandma and my son came up back to camp she immediately noticed her husband’s lifeless body impaled by the Tagaeries’ spears.  she began to scream frantically!  Yelling for her grandson to go run as far as he can and hide!  My son could not move at first, she pushed him and his feet finally began to move and he ran into the jungle and hid.  From his hiding place he watched in horror as the Tagaeries impaled his grandmother with 6 spears.  Holding back his cry, understanding this is a very bad moment he looked at the scene with eyes wide open afraid they will come after him next.  

 
The Tagaeries did not wait too long after they killed my in-laws and began to strip them of all their belongings.  They then looked for my son, but couldn’t find him. luckily he had a very good hiding spot and remained undiscovered.  

When the Tagaeries finally left, my young boy stayed hidden without a move until nightfall. It  began to rain very hard and he knew he had to survive.  All alone and with no one to help him he went back to the shelter my in-laws built the night before and cuddled up against his grandparents bodies. Frightened and tired he fell asleep shortly after. The next day he traveled along the river until he saw some people riding a canoe. They picked him up and brought him back to my community where he fell to my arms and told me what had happened.  

It took him two days to finally get home and be comforted by his family for the horrors that befell his eyes. Once I heard my son’s story I went immediately down river to see for myself what my son’s eyes witnessed  and to retrieve the bodies.  When I arrived to the site my in-laws still had the spears in them and were laying lifelessly in the same places where the Tagaeries murdered them.  
My son is still very disturbed from that event.  He is now 14 years old and cries every time someone asks him about that horrific day.  

As Mickey and his team progress on the Amazon 5000 Expedition they will now be entering the land of the Tagaeri's. After hearing Bartolo's chilling story it is clear just how dangerous this expedition really is. Passing through this land has cast a dark shadow over the team and they move with much caution and now carry arms.  The anticipation has frightened one team member so much he has chosen to depart mid-route!

But the Tagaeri's are not the only dangers that lie in the jungle and along this expedition Leg. If Mickey chose to avoid the danger of running into the Tagaeri tribe his only other option would be to follow the Napo river down to Peru. As soon as he crossed the border into Peru territory he would be entering the Red zone of the drug underworld. Narcotics are trafficked along the watery highway here, the same watery highway pirates and bandits patrol.

Mickey was faced with a dilemma. Shall he proceed through the thick jungle and risk facing the ferocious warriors of the Tagaeri Tribe or dare sticking to the river and running into the drug infested world of the amazon jungle?

What would YOU have done if you were in Mickey's shoes?

 Bartolo's story as you have just read here, has been filmed on location of the Amazon 5000 Expedition for Mickey's documentary the Impossible, Possible Journey! So that you (the reader) will be able to watch Bartolo tell it all on film.