Ok, so, as expected, my blogging frequency has waned. No surprise, given since my last post I have: survived Rio Carnaval (not for lack of trying!); said goodbye to some cool new mates (The Australians); waved hello to some new ones (all those in Florianopolis); had some beautiful sun-drenched beach time; enjoyed some awesome nights out – in spite of my inappropriate footwear (obviously fights are a common feature amongst Havaiana wearers. Luckily due to being friends with a VIP in the form of übercool Rob, we were allowed in anyway); have visited the stunning falls at Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and seen ´the overview´, as it`s often referred to; left there and crossed the border, relatively hassle-free; enjoyed the unexpected company of two (more) Melbournites and learnt lots about Taoist theory… over red wine and Quilmas, of course; and culminated yesterday with a whirlwind, yet exceptional, tour of the falls on the Argentine side at Puerto Iguazu. Never quite seen anything like it in terms of having something so built up in your head through pictures, reputation and other people´s highlights and STILL have it take your breath away in such a fashion. And I loved that it continued throughout the day, even having started with the climax and worked our way backwards (for time reasons). Had 12 minutes of screaming and laughter with a speedboat under the falls, but the Devil´s Throat goes down as possibly the best thing I`ve seen/done/heard/experienced so far on my trip. I think.
Now what? Well, I arrived in Buenos Aires this morning after the best bus ride I`ve had so far. In terms of comfort and sleepability. A good start, as for once I arrived at my hostel and didn`t need to shower and go straight to bed for four hours! A brief shower sufficed.
Staying at the cutest hostel, called Ayres Porteños, in San Telmo. I decided to have a break from the most popular ´party´places, as while great for meeting people and making friends (thank you to all so far), I fancied a change of pace and reckon BA itself will offer enough of that without having to be sleeping amongst it as well.
The place is tango-themed, with funky kitsch Argentine murals and artwork all over the walls and really high ceilings and boho style decor. I will post pics, eventually, maybe, probably when I get home.
Been for a wander around the city, feeling very out of place when I inadvertently strode through the central business district wearing denim shorts, flip flops and carrying a daypack. Imagined what I would look like wandering through the City at home like this and had to smile at my state of looking just-a-bit-ridiculous.
Had an awesome slice of pizza (thanks Michael!) and ALMOST found the cojones to stand among the locals at the front counter, but bottled it as a) needed to read Lonely Planet and figured I was less conspicuous (for irony = see previous par) if I sat at a table and b) three weeks in Brazil feeling like a complete ´tard has rendered my Spanish in need of some work again.
The funny thing is that I was saying to my darling Omar the other day, Brazil I found a bit of a struggle. Don`t get me wrong, and I have had the most amazing time in Rio and Floripa, but I take full responsibility for trying too hard to make it amazing.
I forced extra budget – in both time and money – at Rio/Carnaval/Florianopolis and found the first real times of stress, combined with lapses in both confidence and judgement. That said, I also came over a bit of a learning curve about myself, the way I`ve been (and would like to be) travelling, heard some home truths I probably needed, heard some incredible compliments I wasn`t expecting and have arrived in Buenos Aires feeling like I`ve passed the halfway point and am stronger, more focused and more positive in a number of different ways.
As such, when I return to Brazil for Part Dos (I fly home from Rio in two months´time), I think I´ll have a better time of it.
Tomorrow I am doing a cycle tour of the city. I am also looking into horsey things (lessons/Gaucho time/polo) and hopefully catching up with some friends made in Mendoza before heading south to Patagonia for some serious nature time.
But we`ll see what happens…
ToBeShaw 