📸 Photo

‘No, Yossi. I’m not a tourist like you. I know the
jungle well enough and have no call to just go
wandering around in it for nothing. Anyway, it’s
expensive: airfare there and back, food, and equip-
ment. What for? There’s nothing in it for me.’

He’s right, I thought to myself. Too bad.

What would we do now? Maybe we could go
into the jungle on our own. We could get along
without him. I was beginning to get carried away
with the idea when Karl broke into my thoughts.

‘Look, Yossi, there is a way. If you really want a
taste of the jungle, I could plan out your route
and be your guide. I know the jungle like the palm
of my hand. You’ll see. But I couldn’t do it for
nothing.’

His suggestion was a terrific letdown. Up until
then I had admired him, seen him in a romantic
light. I thought he was the last of the Great White
Adventurers. Risking his life in the primeval rain-
forest, searching for treasure – gold and
uranium – staving off wild beasts and savages,
making his living hunting jaguars. And here he
was figuring up nickels and dimes, offering
package deals, guided tours.

‘How much would you want?’ I inquired coolly.

‘Well, six thousand bolivianos would be enough.
Of course, I would pay my share of all the
expenses: tickets, food, and so on. It really isn’t
that much. What do you say?’

‘I’ll have to talk it over with Kevin and Marcus,’
I answered abruptly.