Fallin’ for Iguazu

What a weekend!  After spending Thursday at a traditional estancia riding horses, biking in pastures and consuming way too much food, on Friday I boarded a 17-hour bus to Puerto Iguazu. It wasn’t as bad as it sounds, as we had the “cama” (bed-syle seats), and I was so comfortable that I slept almost the whole way.  Our group of 12 arrived late Saturday morning, checked into our brightly-painted hostel, and headed to the national park.

The views of the Iguazu Falls were even better than I expected.  Water cascaded down rocky cliffs that were covered in luscious greenery.  And in case the view wasn’t already completely pristine, a huge rainbow arched across the landscape, dazzling tourists with its colorful splendor.

We didn’t only view the falls from afar.  Nope.  We actually boarded a boat that went right underneath them!  The experience was incredible, though I have to admit that being pummeled with freezing water isn’t what I’d call pleasurable.  But it was worth it to be able to look (squint) upwards and see the water tumbling downwards from the lofty cliffs above.  The tour also included a jungle safari via jeep, though this was a bit disappointing as all we saw was the same vegetation that we’d been viewing when walking along the park’s pathways.

The fun didn’t end after leaving the falls.  After group showers in bathing suits (twelve people and two showers and you are bound to run out of hot water), we headed out to a parilla for dinner.  We feasted on salad, bread, sangria and a variety of meats.  A few of my friends were brave enough to try the intestines, liver, kidney and other assorted organs, though I have to admit I stuck to the “bife de lomo” and “bife de chorizo.”  Somehow, the extravagant meal cost less than US $15 each, which of course left room for some ice cream later.

On our last night in the sleepy village, we made friends with the employee of our hostel who played Pictionary with us in the poolside cabana bar.  He made us Caipirinhas (Brazilian drinks) and spoke Spanish with us as rain battered the tin roof above our heads.  We stayed up sufficiently late to be tired for the long trek home the next morning.  The ride was not uneventful, as we almost got stranded in a convenience store in the middle of nowhere, twelve hours from Buenos Aires.  The bus attendant told us it was fine to get off the bus and buy some water bottles, but as soon as we stepped inside the little store we saw the huge vehicle pulling away! I tossed the water and ran after it; luckily we caught it and made it back on.   I still can’t figure out if the man was just really forgetful or if he was trying to free up a few extra seats on the bus.

This week, I started my first classes at the IES center (through my study abroad program), though they aren’t really interesting enough to mention.  I did stumble upon a protest today, though, where everyone was chanting and jumping with banners.  From what I could decipher of their words, they were demanding punishment for the officers involved in disappearing people during the Dirty War.

Check back soon for more updates on my adventures!

Learning the Hard Way…

I’ve been here a week now, and I have definitely learned a lot about living in Buenos Aires.  I’ve gotten use to the crazy schedule (staying out until 5am and going to class at 9:30) and have perfected the art of napping. I have learned how to avoid accepting counterfeit money as change, that Argentine guys are ridiculously persistent in the bars

Luckily, another girl from my program lives near me so we make the trek to orientation classes together.

and must be given a very cold shoulder and fake phone number, and that you have to push the button on the bus for your stop or you will end up going way too far.  (Yes, I learned most of these things the hard way.) I can navigate my way through a menu a little better (the empanadas are delicious), and quickly found the local dessert- alfajores. These are cookie sandwiches filled with the carmel-like dulce de leche which are sometimes covered in chocolate.  Yum… I realized quickly that it isn’t rude to yell for the waiter when he’s across the room- if you don’t he’ll never come over because he doesn’t want to bother you.

I do love that ordering a tea entitles you to the table for the afternoon, and today I took advantage of this to enjoy a lazy Sunday reading at a café.

I’ve already done a little too much shopping, but it is hard to resist as the prices are amazing.  And you have to buy leather boots when you’re here, right?

There was a power outage two days ago (yes, I survived a whole day with no phone or computer as both were in need of a charge.)  Though there was no water or light, it was kind of fun to live by candlelight.  And unfortunately, a neighbor realized I was borrowing their wireless internet and password protected it, so I am now unconnected- grr… Guess I have another excuse to go to a cafe.

Yesterday my program gave us a bus tour of the city.  We got to see the historic area of La Boca where the first immigrants lived and painted their houses with random paint that came in on ships.  (Hence the different colored sections on the walls.)  We visited the Casa Rosada (the equivalent of the White House) in the Plaza de Mayo where the mothers/grandmothers of the disappeared still protest.  We also toured my neighborhood a bit where street performers draw spectators and booths sell useless crafts.

I started my Saturday night at a traditional parilla, where meat is the specialty.  I went with a big group of girls and we ordered a bunch of entrees to share.  With several different types of meat and potatoes, I was left a-yearning for some veggies.  The beef, chicken, and pork were tasty for sure, but meat alone doesn’t really do it for me.  We did order some tomatoes, but for some reason the tomatoes here have a distinct twang that does not quite appeal to me.

I start classes next week, so I’ll keep you posted about all-Spanish lectures!