The Falls of Iguaçu

Leaving Bolivia, we took a night bus from Sucre to Santa Cruz, then a night train to the border, a day bus to Campo Grande and finally another night bus to Foz de Iguaçu. Night traveling, no showers and bus bathrooms is a rough way of living for three days. We made friends of course along the way, the second we got on the train three girls from Holland greeted us as though they were long lost friends.

Our Holland bus friends

Derek sweet talking the army

The border was a little interesting, it didn't open on time and we sat in a line for quite some time early in the morning. Derek became a chatter box the second we set foot in Brasil, I don't think they even checked our visas, they were loving the red head. Only 20 minutes into our bus trip after getting into Brazil, army troops pulled the bus over to check bags and personel. The girls we were with tried to bring coca leaves with them... needless to say, they didn't get very far with them.


I dont need to say much more about the buses, only that we are absolutely sick of them. In those few days we've read more books than we have in the last year (not counting textbooks). As we arrived to Foz, we couldn't take a taxi because they went from about three dollars to get anywhere in Bolivia to about 25 dollars to get anywhere in the city... So we basically hopped on a bus and took off looking for any sign than said Hostel. We found one with a pool! It was the first time we had to share a room with somebody, but he was nice enough, a little hairy but no complaints, he probably had his own judgements about us.

Sunday Funday

The next day was Sunday, we went to church early and enjoyed all the Portuguese. The irmão put me and Dustin on the spot and asked for our comments about the sacrament. Dustin has had some background with Portuguese and held his own. I got through my comments, but not without looking at Derek and mouthing some words before I said them. The spirit was felt, he talked to us after and said that the Sisters found him and his wife a year ago and they had recently gone to the temple. Needless to say, the church is true all over the the world.

The falls was the next stop, Sunday was our only chance to go so dont judge us. We got on a bus and met some English girls on our way. Basically, its super easy to meet girls that speak english because all we have to say is, "Hey you speak english, so do I!" Works everytime...

Here we are... at the falls!

Anyways, the falls are amazing... I love to see waterfalls, big or small, wide or just a little stream tumbling down the side of a mountain. The difference here is, every type, size and length of waterfall is combined into one beautifully spectacular vision the very second you get off a bus and walk to see it.

Panorama of the Falls

As you walk up to the first viewpoint, you feel how wide it is. Then the second viewpoint, you can see how tall and how many levels there are. And then, as you get to the small bridge that takes you right to the belly, you feel how majestic and powerful the falls are. Rainbows form all around you and all you can see is water surrounding everywhere the eye can see. It was the most epic display of nature I have ever seen in my life.

We saw boats that would take people right up against the falls and we figured, since this is the only time we'll be here, we should probably fork over the cash and do it. Unfortunately, our college budget was telling us to take the cheapest tour, which turned out to be rafting adventure starting at the falls and then floating down the river in the opposite direction.

Still very fun and it was a beautiful trip, but we wanted to go towards the falls and get closer. Well, as my dad said to me once at a Phantom of the Opera play. "Kids, were sitting in the back because I'm sure you'll see this play plenty of times in your life, and I'd hate to give you the best seats the first time you go..." Wise words that I took to heart, the other guys in our group, however, just couldn't seem to grasp it.

Our two English friends sitting in the front

We finished our tour, got some horribly overpriced McDonalds and took off for Florianopolis. We're actually here already and after some research into flight and things, we're going to spend a whole 5 days here... don't be jealous... or stop following our adventures, we just needed a little beach time ;)

We'll update the blog halfway through our stay, but until next time... remember... HÁ UM MUNDO ALÉM (we're learning Portuguese quick!!)
                                                                                                           - Justin

Seeya again soon