Twelve dollars

Should I feel like I am getting soft as I am getting farther into my travels? Instead of an 18 hour bus/boat ride I took a one hour flight today from Ushuaia to Rio Gallios. I did actually intend on land traveling it, but the bus was thankfully full so I was looking for other options so I would not lose a valuable day. The agent I was booking with said for another 30 pesos ($12 CDN) I could fly. So this actually worked very well with my schedule and puts me a day ahead of my plans, which I am very happy about. (but I am going to lose that day due to my poor connection to my next city in two days time). I'm excited to be able to get out hiking in Torres del Paine national park in the morning for two days. If the weather holds it should be a magnificent trek.

Ushuaia

After over a week of mainly big cities I am glad to get back to the mountains and small villages for my last 10 day stretch. The flight into Ushuaia was marvelous with all the snow capped mountains and dramatic coast line. Walking out of the airport and being able to inhale the cool clean air along with the beautiful views that surrounded me on every side was just what I needed. I'm excited to explore this area more extensively. It was also so nice that Colby (http://www.theholmesargentina.com/) picked me up from the airport last night so I could spend the night at their place before I continued on this morning to Ushuaia.

Sao Paulo

Visiting the Sawatskys was definitely the highlight of Sao Paulo, but while I was there I had a number of opportunities to tour around the city. One notable stop was to the University of Sao Paulo to visit the Butanta Institute which is home to over 1000 snakes. I saw but a portion of that number, which was more than enough for me (as a kid I really didn't like snakes and I am still not to fond of them -- not about to get one as a pet at least). Another enjoyable event was trying to help out at an all nighter for the middle school that Cary is principle of. I only made it to 4am before I headed back to their house for a couple hours of shut eye. Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Rio

I had a great time with the Sawatskys and around Sao Paulo.  My flight number is being called so I only have a few moments, but Rio has been an interesting city.  Some nice beaches with lots of people.  It reminded me of Florida beaches a lot (Fort Lauderdale and Miami especially) except for a few impressive cliffs.  It would have been a really cool spot before it was developed.  Final Call. 

Sawatskys In Sao Paulo

After an interested day of trying to figure out the going abouts of the Sao Paulo Metro system I finally made it to the station closest to the Sawatskys . When I got off I was greeted by a North American looking mall that I had to pay a quick visit to then took a short taxi ride to meet Cary, Shannon and the family just arriving home (which worked out well since I had only emailed them a couple hours before saying that I was in town - officially I was not suppose to be in town for a day or two).  It is great to be able to visit with them and to see their new surroundings (they work as great Portuguese translators\teachers as well since my only word I know is - Oi - hey). 

More Iguazu

Some flowers with a few falls in the background. Me and some palm trees with more falls in the background. The same falls without me in the foreground.

Salto Iguazu

Garganta del Diablo from the Argentinian side. My head in front of Garganta del Diablo (I did have two pictures taken by another random tourist, but I am guessing he must not have pushed the button all the way down since I can not find the pictures anyplace on my memory card). Some other random falls at Iguazu I have no idea of the name of.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls are something like Niagara falls (for those who have been to Niagara), just placed in the jungle and stretched over a much more vast of an area which makes for many more falls along with the falls all dropping into a slightly deeper canyon.  When I have an opportunity I will try to post a few pictures which will be able to describe themselves.  Apart from that how can I describe them, there is a lot of water that falls a good amount of distance to produce a thunderous noise and a huge cloud of mist (along with thousands of tour bus tourists pushing to get a good photo and view).   OK, don´t go by that description wait for the pictures.  I have to say the falls were amazing, but after being to the fairly secluded Angel Falls in Venezuela (along with the multitude of amazing other falls that you can play around and in, in that same area) it is hard to say that I was blown away by Iguazu.  I still however had to simply stand there in amazement at their great power.  I do not know how anyone would be able not to stand there in awe. On a more humours note I got stung by at least a half dozen stinging wasp type things (I will leave the details on how I managed to do this for later stories).  My fingers and hands swelled all up like balloons (well, maybe not that bad, but it felt like it). One of my hands is still tender and slightly swollen. (Pictures of the Iguazu to follow shortly)

Buenos Aires

It has been great to spend some time with the Holmes over the past few days. Colby (Mr. Holmes) showed me around Buenos Aires (including the Mac Store) then took me out to eat at a great Argentinian Steak (and various other delicious meats) house yesterday. They made me feel right at home and if I had more time I would have loved to stay for a few more days, but I am off for Iguazu falls. Like I mentioned earlier in a comment it was definitely great to be able to attend their church service as well (even if I only understood a few words here and there) it was great to be in fellowship with a group of believers. I am however still trying to get use to the greetings and farewells they give here in Argentina (The kiss on the cheek). Check out the Holmes new blog we got started last night at www.theholmesargentina.com .

Travel Time

I had a great rest in Peru for about a week of minimal travel so I am currently making up for that with 4 hours of bus and 15 hours of Train yesterday from La Paz and across Bolivia to Argentina. This morning I got off the train to make my way through customs. At first sight it appeared like I would be waiting for hours and hours (Bolivian side had like 50 people in line with no officer and Argentina side had like 150 people in line with one officer), but being a tourist you are viewed as having money or something since some officers shuffled us to the front of the line on both sides of the boarder to get our stamps ( I kindof felt bad as it seemed like I was butting). From there I had 5 hours on the bus and am currently trying to find a nice steakhouse before I find a spot on another bus for the 20 some odd hour haul to Buenos Aires. The scenery has been very different over the past 24 hours (huge lagoons, salt flats and enormously vast arid areas of land). I can truly see why Bolivia is called the Tibet of South America (at least from what I know of Tibet). Have a great weekend.