We drove across the wetlands south of the Brazilian rainforest — driver, guide and four tourists. We gazed in all directions, looking for the big prize.
“Shhh,” said the guide all of a sudden and pointed into the distance. We followed his indication down the river and over to the opposite bank. The driver slowed down and drove carefully downstream along the riverbank.
I grabbed my camera and pointed the lens across the river. The jeep stopped and I snapped. I let the camera sink and looked into the eyes of the big cat — the jaguar — that stood gracefully on the other side of the river.
I took a deep breath and felt a feeling of freedom rush through my body. This was exactly what I had had in mind when I decided a month ago to quit my job, travel the world and seek adventure.
