The Amazon's Venice
Deep in the Peruvian jungle, a tiny community spends half its year underwater
AP Photo
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) The Rio Itaya's rushing waters draw tourists, but for those who dwell in the tiny town full time, the aquatic life is not always pleasant. Disease is rampant, and food harder to procure. Still, despite offers from the government to help relocate the village, many of its people say they cannot leave: There is work nearby, and a home — albeit a watery one — is still a home.
A view of lower Belen. The community is afflicted by various illnesses, which the country's Health Ministry say are a result of people and animals defecating too close to the river.
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
A girl hangs from the foundation of her home.
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Maximo Sangama fixes lunch for his four children inside his flooded home. Houses in Belen are constructed three meters above the ground, sustained by stilts of rough wood collected from the jungle, but some still take on water during t
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
A man unloads boats full of bananas to sell at the street market, which is in an area of Belen that avoids the flooding.
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Benches float in a classroom inside the half-flooded San Jose school.
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Students arrive by boat to the San Francisco school.
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Graciela Shuna sits outside her home with her 4-month-old twins, Mia, right, and Galena. Mothers must keep a close eye on toddlers just learning how to walk to ensure they don't fall in the water, but the local press reports that one o
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Children fish from their home sitting just above the water line.
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Children play on a boat outside their homes.
(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
