Buenos Aires!

I couldn`t have arrived in Buenos Aires at a more exciting time. I took the ferry from Colonia, Uruguay to Buenos Aires the day of the 10 year census so everything was closed to count people. On top of that former President and husband of the current President, Nestor Krichner died. It would be the equivalent of Hillary Clinton being President and then Bill dying but add in some Latin American passion and you get one of the most exciting experiences of my life.

10,000s of people were flocking to the Presidents house to show last respects. Then there were 10,000s of protesters from different groups marching around the city spray painting everything and causing a ruckus in the streets. Of course we joined in and got right into the middle of it all.

 

It continued for 2 more days and nights. We spent some time marching with the socialists, the communists, and other unknown groups. The most exciting group was shooting off fireworks, chanting, and just full of energy into the night supporting who knows what and we stuck with them. Very exciting time to be in Argentina!

Borders...

After leaving Igazu Falls I failed to obtain an exit stamp from Brazil during a late night flee to Argentina. After crossing Argentina and Uruguay I had broken international law and would be denied from Brazil in the future and or fined\arrested upon return. So I went to Chuy, Uruguay on the border and explained my situation there. Immigration officials told me I was fine in Uruguay but as soon as I crossed 1km in the other direction I was in Brazil and there was nothing they could do to help me. They gave me directions to the Brazilian immigration office 4km away and wished me luck...

I walked down the side road to get there through a field of cows. Every step I took I got more nervous. When I was 500m away I decided to take out my black pen and use the ink smudge technique to smear out the entry date on my Uruguay stamp so it just read October 2010 not  22 October 2010. This way there was no way of knowing I visited other countries prior. Then I made my way slinking around the line of trucks waiting for inspection. The office was in my view from the other side of the road as I crept along the ditch. I waited for a bus to pull in front of the office blocking their view and distracting the guard. I booked across the road got past the office and onto the other side.

There I waited another 10minutes staying low behind a truck for another opportune time as a second bus pulled up. I ran behind the bus and filed in with the other passengers. Heart thumping I stepped up to the window. They needed to see bus tickets at the window so I quickly said I took a taxi and turned around to thankfully see a vacant taxi and pointed to it. She scanned my passport and I kept her attention by talking. She carefully examined the blotched Uruguay stamp and I almost threw up. Then there it was! She stamped my passport, Exit Brazil 25 October 2010! I grabbed it, thanked her and casually walked in the direction of Uruguay until out of sight when a huge smile spread across my face! Success!

Igazu Falls

By far one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen in my life and definitely worth the 40$ fees. From quite a distance you can see it's mist rising into the sky. When approaching before you can even see it, you can hear and feel it's power. The first glimpse was postcard material.

A set of 8 or more large waterfalls making giant slices through the lush green canyon sides. Rainbows were springing into the clear blue skies from every direction. The numerous waterfalls stretch for almost a kilometer to Garganta Diablo, the largest of the falls at the end of the impressively extensive stretch of falls. The entire scene is rushing white water cascading through the jungle, an abundance of exotic birds and vibrant butterflies, and nothing but the sound of the water crashing down, taking you into a new and mystical world. A truly awe-inspiring moment.

Sorry Niagara Falls... These falls make you look like

a ripple in a stream.

Paraguay

This is a country on 24 hour siesta. It has moved up in the ranks of my favorites. Camping in Cerro Cora was so relaxing and historical. The better part was I was the only person for kilometers camping other than the onslaught of mosquitoes as sun fell. I arrived in Concepcion just in time for Rio Paraguay Festival 2010 full of beer and good local music and culture.

Encarnacion is a very nice laid back town and perfect stop over for Trinidad and Jesus. The ruins in these places are not amazing but still interesting and a beautiful spot to visit on the UNESCO tour. The near 300 year old jesuit mission buildings don´t qualify as ancient ruins but are still beautiful and well worth a visit for 1$. Walking back to Brazil was a lovely 20km trek during the midday heat, but I´m in Igazu Falls and off to Argentina tomorrow after viewing the falls.

The Pantanal

The true jungle experience is in the Pantanal. Tucans, parrots, macaws, and bird diversity covering every shape color and size. Rivers full of caimen and piranha. River boating around to find giant river otters. Capybaras, fox, agoutis and armadillos roaming everywhere. The sounds of jaguars slinking on their light feet through the jungle sending birds in a frenzy. Caipirina campfire nights before being rocked to sleep in a hammock to the sounds of the restless jungle. Relentless itching of mosquito bites and brushing off ants. This is why I came to South America! It was an amazing adventure with team France, Australia, Wales, Maldives, and USA; but now I´m 20meters from       the Paraguay border and ready to escape Brazil!

Rio de Diablo

Rio de Janeiro may have the Christ statue looming over it but below his feet is the home of the devil. Trying to climb Sugar Loaf I injured my foot. Six hours in a free Brazilian Hospital was interesting. Waiting in line amongst people bleeding on the floor, women having babies, drug addicts, pregnant prostitutes and so much more was not the day on the beach I was looking forward to. I went out back into a small wood building out back to get an x-ray on an old school desk with no lead coat. They injected me with a shot of unknown painkiller, simply wrapped it up and sent me on my way with only 2 words spoken in English-`´Fracture there´´(While pointing to my foot.)

Getting robbed at the Lapa street party was also not something I had planned. Camera and money gone. Whe I returned to the hostel they threw me out. Thanks to some very nice people from England I survived 2 more days and made my way to Campo Grande over 1000km away from Rio! I got my money sorted out, a new camera and am going to hobble my broken self to Venezuela and finish this trip as planned! Next stop Paraguay!

Rio de Janeiro

I´ve been in Rio for 4 days at a hostel 2 blocks from the beach but have only made it to the beach once at 4 in the morning on the unsuccessful walk home from a samba club to sleep. The christ statue always looming over head is really starting to creep me out. He´s always watching and judging, and its no good to have someone judging you while in Rio. This place is a trap and I´m already planning on staying longer than intended. I need to buy a bus ticket to Campo Grande soon to find my Jaguar or I will be stuck here forever.

Rio Amazonas finished!

The first of my long list of things is complete! It took 3 weeks but I navigated my way down the entire Amazon to Belem where I´m waiting for a bus to Rio de Janeiro for some much needed beach time. The past week has been one of the most trying yet best of my life. Living in the Maraguay village was one of the most rewarding experiences. I arranged a soccer game against the neighboring village to the south using sticks on the white sand beach for nets and an old tire melted into a ball. The entire village came out to watch. For the children we made kites out of plastic bags and sewing thread I had.  As the sunset we drank homemade rum with fresh fruit juices. A day of tranquility.

The jungle part of the journey was amazing. Gargantuan trees, monkeys, snakes, butterflies encircling, and the entire jungle experience surrounding you. Waking in the night to the sound of turantulas eating the cochroaches below my hammock, was a welcomed change of sound from the howler monkeys in the trees above. Bee´s attacked me and my hand swelled so badly I couldn´t make a fist for a week. Fire ants destroyed my legs. A massive black wasp type creature stung me and my arm tripled in size as the poison spread up my entire arm. I have some great pictures of the ordeal, and the only option for medicine was to drink what the locals gave me. A sugar, water, tree bark, and termite concoction.

How I survived this one I don´t know, but the Amazon is complete! South America is just beginning for me and I can´t wait for what happens next!