so we are now at the Falls of Iguazu and they are incredible. We got here yesterday afternoon and spent the day eating, relaxing, and wandering around the small city. Today we went on an all day excursion into the national park to explore the falls. They were so beautiful and it seemed impossible that so many falls could be in such a small area. We hiked through part of the rain forest and then on several bridges to different overlooks. The first place we went was called the Devils Throat. It is were several different rivers from both Brazil and Argentina come together and fall down into a tiny bowl shaped area. The mist that rises from this area can be seen several miles away. If you did not know it was from a waterfall, you would think there was a forest fire. Later we went to overlooks of different falls at various levels so that we got a good idea of the size and beauty of the falls. One of the girls with us described it as being in Neverland and Hillary said it was like the Garden of Eden with rainbows, waterfalls, lushious trees, and birds everywhere.
In the afternoon some of us went for a boat ride into the falls. For those of you who have done Maiden in the Mist at Niagra, please erase this idea from you mind. First they gave us waterproof bags and said anything that you do not want to get wet, you should put into the bag. Next we put on life jackets and then climbed into a large motor boat that sat about 25 people. They took us to the base of one of the falls where we were able to take some pictures. Then we turned to go back to the dock. We thought that was it and so we were trying to be optimistic. But the camera man was only switching cameras to one that was completely waterproof. We then went to another section of the falls and got a little closer to the base of the falls each time. We continued to yell closer, closer. Our driver took us closer each time until we were directly under the falls with water and mist pouring onto us. We did this about three times. It was incredible!! We were under one of the largest waterfalls in the world. It was so beautiful and exhilarating, kind of like white water rafting, only with waterfalls. Then we went down river a ways before unloading and riding back in a truck. I dont think it was until towards the end of the boat ride that any of us really felt like we were in South America.
Today was pretty much the perfect day and exactly what we needed. Hillary, Amy, and I were growing tired of the city and in much need of some refreshment and peace from nature. I didnt realize how much I missed being in nature until today when I could stand and simply gaze at a beautiful part of creation, breath clean air, and simply enjoy the peace of nature. I know Ive said this several times, but it was really beautiful. I could imagine the Jesuit missionaries coming over three hundred years ago and interacting with the Guarani close to these falls. It would have been incredible to see it then without the national park bridges or the motor boats.
Tomorrow we break off with the other group. THey will go to Chile for the next three weeks, while we head to Brazil for a while and then back to other cities in Argentina. I hope you are all doing well.
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