Carnaval. It really deserves its own entry, doesn’t it? Ok, so it’s a more pricey venture, but truly like nothing else you’ll ever see. We left Petrópolis to arrive in Rio around 5pm. From the bus station, we cabbed it to pick up our tickets. (They’re actually these cool press-pass looking things that we wore around our necks.) Then, we had a few hours to kill before showtime so we strolled along the main streets in Rio enroute to the Sambodromo. The previous night’s floats were being ushered down the main street in one direction, while many of the on deck floats began lining up in the other. It was cool because we got to see the floats really close up; you’re walking right next to them! The streets were full of people, singing, dancing, and ... read more

Behind on the blogging (limited internet access), BUT still among the living! More to follow....... read more

Well. The Pantanal. An awesome adventure in the wild! We heard from another pair of travelers that Santa Clara offered an amazing experience of the Pantanal. So we exchanged a few emails and headed on a 14 hour overnight bus ride to Campo Grande (which they pronounce Campo GahnGeee). There, Magaly, from the office met with us and discussed the details of our trip as she readied us for another ride out into the state of Mato Grasso where we would meet our guide. After about 4 and a half hours, the bus driver dropped us off, literally at a little hut on the side of the road. So, we waited...... ....and in about half an hour, an Indiana Jones-like character jumped out of a super muddy truck and greeted us. We rode for another hour ... read more

We then headed across the boarder into Brazil to see the more panoramic view of the falls. Absolutely amazing. Just check out the pictures. In addition to the falls, Foz Do Iguassu in Brazil also has the worlds largest hydroelectric power plant. Actually, China has a larger dam, but because the Rio Parana has such steady flow all year, the one here produces more power. It's construction (which began in 1973) has been controversial because it drowned out tons of rainforest and amazing waterfalls, though it has created mucho commerce. It belongs equally to Paraguay and Brazil, lying on the natural boarder (the river) between the countries. There's a huge reservoir of water up top which drains into the gianormous white turbines, which then exits the dam several meters below the water's surface downstream. The waterslide ... read more

…..and now you understand why I am currently writing to you from Argentina!!! Did not expect to be here at this point, or really to visit Posadas at all (which is, of course, just across the border from Encarnación) but it’s been nice! We stayed with a sweet older lady and her family, who run Residential Misiones, a no-frills but clean and very pleasant guest house. Her son was nice enough to give us a free ride to the bus station, speaking slowly so we could understand him, and sharing his maté with us (everyone down here carries a cup, filter-type straw, and pitcher and drinks it all day). Posadas is also a friendly town, a little heavier on the begging, especially with the children who come right up to your table and ask if they ... read more