- 4 - 
sold for 10^ to 25 ^ and fed green to the chickens. Even 
chickens are scarce and expensive. Abosolutely no beans 
to be had after Palmas Bellas. We couldn^t even get root 
vegetables--yucca, camotes or iiames. Maria said that some¬ 
times the families up the river planted them. We got some 
sour oranges. 
No gasoline is available either. Demetrio told us 
his son would make a trip to Salud and have the bus take the 
tin to Colon and bring it back in the evening. The boy 
would charge $1.25 and the bus 25^* Demetrio can make all 
your arrangements for you and will save you much time and 
trouble. 
Demetrio Saladino is his full naune. He was born 
on the river, knows everyone, is completely dependable and 
industrious. He is the man you should hire as your head man 
and guide for your trip on the Indio. He was corregidor for 
a time but has been out 2 years now. He is related to Maria 
Munoz, a woman of about 45 who did our cooking for us in the 
village. She is a widow whose house is falling down but 
the poor thing tries to be neat and clean. She makes bread 
to sell to the townfolk. The store usually carries flour. 
There is no cooking oil to be had in town. As I said before' 
rice is about all. You will have to buy a bunch and let 
your own bananas ripen. We paid the Senora Maria 75^ a day. 
Kerosene, soap and eggs can be bought. 
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