IGUAZÚ! tallest waterfalls in the world!

I just got back from one of the most amazing trips in my life to Iguazú, home of las cataratas- some of the tallest falls in the entire world!! I am still amazed just thinking about them. These waterfalls are located in Puerto Iguazú (Argentina side) in the middle of the jungle. I left with a group of friends on Thursday and we arrived after 24 hours on the bus. On Friday we decided not to go to the Nacional Parque because it closes at 6pm and instead went to las fronteras/borders of Brasil, Argentina, and Paraguay- which was actually only a 15 minute walk from our hostel. There is a lookout sight over a river where all three countries meet and you can see flags from each country in the distance from there. The pueblo is very jungle-like and most of the roads are paved but covered in dirt that is more like clay. TREES TREES TREES! In the rainforest/jungle there are trees everywhere and the air seems so fresh. I would HIGHLY recommend our hostel: Stop Hostel (Avenida Victoria Aguirre 304, Puerto Iguazú, +54-03757-15547703), it’s a 10 minute walk away from the bus terminal, 15 min walk from las fronteras, in the center of town, great accommodations/desayuno, and across the street from all of the important bus stops. There were people from all over the world at our hostel and meeting them and talking was great!--If they didn’t know spanish you spoke in english and vice versa. Friday night we went to an wild orchid sanctuary in the pueblo and saw exotic jungle plants. On Saturday we went to the Nacional Parque, where las cataratas/falls are, for the day. This place is incredible and absolutely beautiful—words don’t do it justice. So basically there are all of these huge waterfalls in a row all leading up to Diablo Garganta- the highest one (4 miles of waterfalls) and there are paths that guide you through the park. There is a rainbow there every single day that it's sunny. We walked along the upper and lower circuit of the falls and above and under the falls themselves. I have no words to describe how it was standing on a tiny platform above on of the tallest waterfalls in the world, with the water rushing beneath that drops down hundreds and hundreds of feet. It was hard to hear each other because the falls make noise like thunder. We also took a boat ride called ‘la gran aventura’ which I really recommend. It takes you on a speedboat along all of the falls and under some of them. I took a lot of video and fotos from this. We saw a lot of species of butterflies, birds (like tucanes), and these animals that kind of look like raccoons but they’re friendly and roam the entire parque. It felt like everyone there was there to have an adventure and see the falls and even go under them. On Sunday we went on a jungle excursion which included rappelling down the side of a mountain ( in the jungle), tirolesa (zip-lining across four different platforms ( in the jungle), and trekking ( in the jungle). It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life—especially the zip lining through all of the trees and seeing tucans!! The pueblo in the jungle was so isolated but there were kids playing in the dirt clay streets and in the rivers. It was also pretty humbling to see how the people live- with hardly anything. We got to meet so many people from Europe, s. America, and the uk- it was awesome! We left Monday for another 24 hr bus ride back home to córdoba. Tuesday, today, I went to a volley/futbol tournament en the campus of a Bible institute. There were teams from basically all of the churches in córdoba and most people were wearing their argentine world cup jersey, aka la mundial- which is 2weeks away. Also today is a holiday in argentina- la bincentenario: 1810-2010. We had such perfect weather for everything and I just feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to see God’s amazing creation.

I had dinner last night with a local missionary family from Australia that just happen to be my neighbors! And then tonight met some missionaries from around the world: Korea, Australia, China, and Bolivia- they have been passing out free copies of the new testament on campus for the past week and held a meeting in a local córdobes home. I think it's great that they've felt called to spread God's word here in Córdoba.

Graciela has been in Las Sierras for the past two days on a free trip from PAMI, her special healthcare for diabetics. Qué más? we're leaving for Iguazu in 10 days!!!

Update:

So it's feeling like fall here, cold, the leaves are changing, and it's crazy that everyone's housekeeper is in the streets thinking that they can sweep up every single leaf that falls. Last night for dinner I almost threw up as my host mom ate cow brain. She told me it makes her smarter... right. In Argentina, they find ways to eat every part of the cow, for example the tongue, which apparently is some kind of delicacy. I told you about my experience in Buenos Aires accidentally trying octopus thinking it was chicken, then realizing that the little pieces of "chicken" were tentacles--absolutely disgusting. Don't even mention the blood sausage here feo feo.

Today, buying bus tickets to Iguazu, the tallest waterfall in the world that borders Uruguay, Brasil, y Argentina- a 24 hr bus ride each way but definitely worth it. At the end of May there is a 10 day break so it's ideal for traveling. Hope you are enjoying the videos! I just figured out how to post them and it's a lot quicker than posting to facebook. Look for some great ones when I get back from las cataratas/waterfalls!!

hasta luego!

Taking a stop in las Sierras. 360 view of some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

On the tour through Tucumán, Juyjuy, and Salta, we stopped at a Bodega/winery and learned how to drink, pour, taste, and appreciate wine!

Tiny gaucho boy dancing at la peña in Salta. Dulce jeje!

There was a holiday in Salta with a parade to remember los argentinos who fought in the Falklands war. Basically there was a war between la Argentina and Great Britain over who laid claim to las Malvinas islands off the coast of South America.

This was from our bus ride to San Rafael, Mendoza-- a whole 12 hours. Got to hear lovely Hendrix singing and playing guitar!

Took this video on our trip to Salta. This mountain has 7 different colors and people from all over the world come to the Province of JuyJuy, on the border of Quebrada de Purmamarca, to visit. Absolutely stunning!! Enjoy

I took this video when we went to una peña, which is basically dinner with a show. This a a typical Salteño dance with gauchos.

I took this video when I traveled to Salta, Tucumán and Juyjuy. We stopped while driving through las sierras and this band of musicians played inside of a cave-like crevice in the side of the mountain. Just amazing!