a change...

Hello again and greetings from Foz do Iguaço. WOW. What an amazing spot. Not only is the waterfall absolutely stunning but the hostel I am at is fantastic. Arrived yesterday on the ônibus, ugh it was a 15 hour bus ride from Floripa. Managed to navigate to the hostel on public transport, checked in and almost immediately made friends with an australian girl and two irish girls. We went to the brazilian side of the waterfall together, stunning.

There is a weird difference between national parks here and those in the US. This park remineded me very much of marine world. Everything was very new and there were many `atractions´ likes rock climbing, hiking, bike riding, and boating on the river. All of this you had to pay for, even the hiking. Weird. I suppose it all helps pay for the conservation of the park lands, but it is not very accecible to all people. All in all it was very commercial.

Last night I went out with an english girl, a chech couple, an older mexican dude, and two canadian guys. What a blast! We went to a local pub and there was a live band playing brazilian rock/reggae/classic brazilian pop songs. Cut.A.Rug. Oh man, the mexican man was shaking his tail feather so much, at one point he was on stage dancing infront of the band... We pretended that we didn´t know him... But a seriously good time.

Today was a lazy day spent lounging around the hostel and making plans for travel next. The trip to bonito is off, based upon recomendations from employees at the hostel a safari tour of the pantanal is now booked and awaiting me. Apparently bonito is very commercial and all activities are very pricy, making a package much cheaper. WOOOOO! I am so stoked. It is going to be amazingly beautiful. Anteaters, crocodiles, birds, fish, horse back riding, hiking. I can´t wait.

Tomorrow it is off to a tour of the argentinean side of the foz. I have heard it is more primitive, less comercial and you can get closer to the waterfalls. Also, there are hiking trails on the argentiean side, and you don´t have to pay for them...

I´ll leave you with an embarassing story...
I arrived at the hostel after walking for about 1/2 hour in the hot sun with a heavy pack. Franco, an employee, checks me in and begins showing me around the hostel; where the kitchen is, the pool, the computers etc. He´s telling me all these things in portuguese/spanish because I tell him that I speak it alright. I´m understanding about half of what he is saying... He´s finished showing me around and turns his cheek towards me. I guess it was the fact that I had become comfotable with the custom of cheek kissing, or that I was flustered, or that he was cute, but out of nowhere I plant one right on his cheek. There is an akward silence. The franco says, "um, the bathroom is right over there". uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. whoops. I turn red, giggle and muter somthing in portuguese about the custom of cheek kissing. Fast foreward 10 minutes, Franco is helping me with my bags and points out a bathroom then procedes to look at me expectantly. "What? No kiss?". Oh jesus, I've created a monster. Later, one more joke about my misstep and all is well. Franco is incredibly helpful and friendly guy. Reason number 752 that I will grow up to become a brazilian.

Next up, the pantanal!

Tchau!