05-09.05: Rio de Janeiro to Puerto Iguazú
Thursday & Friday:
Took a very comfortable bus from the Rodoviária in Rio to Foz de Iguaçu, which stopped along the way, for example in Säo Paulo. Cities in south-eastern Brazil are incredibly extensive. The first 12 hours of the trip we were essentially in one large ubran area, with short stretches of grassland in between.
Arrived at Foz 24 hours later, around 11 am. Hiked through Foz de Iguaçu past the border, where we talked the Argentinians into giving us entry stamps, to El Viejo Americano, a campsite near Puerto Iguazú.
Saturday and Sunday:
One day at the camp was lost to laofing around. While xploring Puerto Iguazú, who else should find us but a Jehova's Whitness, whose grandfather was German, and who tried to foist on us a German book on Paradise on Earth, if just everyone would keep God's commandments. I guess paradise needs a lot more stoning people for minor infractions.
On Sunday (morning again, to avoid the crowds), we went to the Cataratas de Iguazúm which cost us 100 Pesos each (around 20€), and are worth every penny. There are viewpoints close to different parts of the falls, and walkways through the jungle sufficient for an entire day, if you hurry.
Lots of animals: Flocks of .. some kind of vulture-like bird, some type of swallow, colorful birds which may be a species of canary, a jungle hen, three wild pigs, two tapirs,and a variety of giant rat or posum (yeah, ain't I the zoologist) crossed our ways in the beautiful jungle. There also was an incredible amount of butterflies.
On the way back we met a girl from Buenos Aires, Lirach (or something sounding similar), who had just visited the Brazilian side, and told us it was boring by comparison. There are just two viewpoints, from which you can see the falls in their entirety, sure, but everything you want to do is extra.
10.05.: Ciudad del Este
Monday:
Arrived at Ciudad del Estr, the Paraguayan counterpart to Foz de Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazú at the three counrtries border.
The city is supposed to be both a shoppers and a counterfeiters paradise, both of which are easily believed when looking at the streets full of shops and stall. One man offered us "Rolex", laughing at his own joke...
The city is by far the most un-european in character so far. There are far less street signs, and life seems generally far more chaotic than in the Brazilian and Argentine towns we've seen so far.
The hostel we wanted to stay at has upgraded to a hotel and now costs 150 000Guarani a night a double bed room, about 30€. Tomorrow we'll change locations to a hotel that has stayed as cheap as the guide book promised -- 80 000 Guarani. Instead of at the city center, it's at the regional bus station, next to a small slum of about 10 haphazardly constructed tents.
By the way, Achim, who has no account to comment here, has informed me he has heard of an even larger piece of kitsch than Rio's: Cochabamba seems to have a Christ statue larger by 10cm...
Love, hugs or greetings, as appropriate, all around.
We're off to plan our trip through Paraguay.
You two are getting around! It must be strange to have all these changes of currency after being used to euros. I can't wait to see some photos. If there's any way to send you something to download from your camera, I will try to do it. I know that Moni's family could help you, but by the time you get to Bogota you'll be ready to come to the US, where they will no doubt be cheaper. Keep having fun, keep writing! Is Doro doing a blog also?
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