We had heard that Belen was a floating market but were told otherwise. It turns out that there are two sections of the market. The larger one, further away from the river is more permanent and is not effected by seasonal changes in the river water level. The lower market, which we saw only because we hired a guide to take us on a canoe tour had a much different feel; sketchy and dirty. It turns out that the entire lower part of the market is under water for about three months out of the year. The residents (about 7,000) have adapted their minimal living quarters to work with the rise in the river level (about 15-20ft). The structures further away from the water are on stilts while the ones on the river have logs underneath that allow them to rise with the water to float.
We met our guide, Marlon randomly in the market. He was 23 years old and trying to make some money. He described all of the different goods as we walked through the market down to the water to get on a canoe and see more of the town on the water. Marlon was an nice guy who has been guiding tours for three years earning practically no money. He was missing teeth and had some large chips that we didn´t ask about. He showed us his living quarters on stilts about 10 feet off the ground and it really gave me a feeling of just how good we have it at home.
Just a few chickens. Gizzards, guts, feet and heads are in a different pile.
Turtle
Monkey skulls
The water level line can be seen above the man´s head, obviously only the second story is used during the wet season.
Little Monkey
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