So when transitting via bus across a long span of distance-make sure that you will be comfortable. The only few lines that are available between my two locations have limited options in comfort. Regardless the details of the excruciating 22hour bus ride from Rio De Janeiro to Foz do Iguacu got me to where I needed to be. Stinking and exhausted, I hopped a few more short buses to the Brazil-Argentina border- Where my first little melodramatic crisis occured. But I didn´t cry (Although the tears were welling up) I picked up my panties and blindly tried to solve the issue. A Reciprocity fee that I had initially planned on paying cash for had been changed to online payments only three weeks prior-shoot. Can I use your computer then-No; Is there wifi access then?- No; Where do you suppose I do this then?-Must go back to Brazil side, find place there, pay, print form, then come back here. OOooooookaY. Not wanting to struggle through the full city buses again with my massive pack, I contemplated walking?-nope it´s scorching and I had little water on me. Hitchhiking?- an image of my face on the side of a milk carton flashed before me- nope. I ended up wrangling a taxi driver into doing the loop after much hagglin. Finally understanding my predicament his fatherly traits kicked in-practically held my hand to a nearby hotel to print off the sheet, and even take me to my hostel in Puerto Iguazu on the Argentina side once I passed customs--next to nothing. Like I said, a melodramatic start to Argentina-haha. But proof that there are kind souls willing to help everywhere.
Puerto Iguazu is a pretty fair sized tourist town. The Iguazu falls attract tons of tourists from all over. The first few days I had planned to wait up in the the hostel and town awaiting the arrival of Marielle- either poolside or moseying around on my own. But something that I found similar to Rio, was that even though I do next to nothing for research or planning---something always falls into place for the better when you are travelling solo. I met the most wonderful mates from All over, large amount of them from The U.K. Canada, Australia, and Belguim. They had cycled through in 2-3 days but they were loads of fun. I was waiting to do the falls till Marielle came so I would join the others in different adventures: checking out an animal conservation park, sneaking into massive pools at other hostels, lots drinking games, cooking up a storm (Argentina Steak dinner mmmmmm) AND lots of shooting the breeze- getting to know eachother. It´s amazing that I only have met these people a few days ago- but already know who they are: kindred spirits.
Marielle arrived just yesterday (Tuesday) after a few grueling delays due to snow in Toronto- BUT she made it!! Marielle arrived at about noon, and since it is a shorter viewing route, we headed to the Brazil side of Iguazu falls. Before our very eyes were breathtaking panoramic views of these NUMEROUS waterfalls, that seemed to be never ending. A little fact from wikipedia for you: ¨The number of these waterfalls fluctuates from150-300, depending on the water level. About half of the river´s flow falls into a long and narrow chasm called the Devil´s Throat.¨After the quick few hours exploring Brazil´s side of the falls, we headed back to cook up a lovely dinner, have a few drinks and play some games with some good people. Despite a late night, we managed to rouse ourselves to venture to the Argentina side of the falls. Today was a full day of exploring trails, photos, and a boat ride into the falls- where we get insanely close to the powerful things and got drenched!!! Even the spray it gives off onto the trails was enough to soak us numerous more times. And of course we caught a few raindrops as we came back to fill our bellies.
Sweaty, Humid, Poolside, Bevvies, Rain, Rivers, and Waterfalls= Moist....to say the least.
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