Friday, May 26, 2006

Iguazu Falls & Buenos Aires

Hola mi amigos. And no BA does not stand for Bugger All ... it's all about Buenos Aires!!

Sunday night we bussed 12hrs to Iguazu Falls, which was thankfully very comfortable, arriving 8am on Monday morning. That afternoon we set off to check out the world's largest waterfalls (that's right, it's not Victoria or Niagara) - on the Argentine and Brazilian border. We see some of the park, and enjoy a jet boat ride with a very cold shower under one of the bigger cascades ... fabulous fun at the time, but not so after walking around in wet jeans for the next four hours :o)

The next day we went back to the park to check out the amazing Devil's Throat ... a horse shoe shaped waterfall where the water seems to drops forever. In the afternoon we bussed over to the Brazilian side and got a great panaroma of the whole falls. There are no adjectives to describe this place, and I know the photos won't do it justice either (though I did try, taking over 150 shots). You'll just have to visit and see for yourselves!

Wednesday morning we flew into Buenos Aires - just 2hrs compared to maybe an 18hr bus ride!! Thursday, 25 May is Independence Day here in Argentina and with a huge public rally for President Kirchner being organised in the main square ... so being curious Kiwis we set off to see what was going on. Activities were well underway and some people were already staking out their spots, afterwards we walked down the pedestrian mall and stopped at more than a few stores along the way, including some amazing shopping malls.

Thursday, Independence Day. We set off to explore the city and found the public transport was free today ... Kirchner wants as many people as possible in the square. While we avoid the square at this time, we watch as tens of thousands of people pour out of the centre into hundreds of buses - walking down the world's widest street (14 lanes) which has been closed off to traffic. They later estimate that there were around 200,000 people present. The scale of this day is amazing to us Kiwis. After the crowds had cleared we walked into the square which was completely littered with fliers, and of course the hawkers - selling everything from posters of Eva Peron, to the churripan (sausage in bread).

We did some serious km's yesterday, also taking in a fabulous art and craft market, the beautiful Ricoletta cemetary, Independance Square, and the fashionable Port Madero district. We later headed back nearer to our hostel (Palermo) for dinner in a nearby Plaza. Just another day really ;o)


Thursday, May 18, 2006

Artigis II


Well we have been having a ball here. There is some very interesting things to see. Yesterday we went to a place where they are teaching people to manufacture jewerly and other products. It was neat to see the process and to see the artists.

Went back to Brazil yesterday because I could. Its not far and quite cool to be able to walk to another country.

Tomorrow we move again and off to the conference. Not sure how long it is going to take but we are leaving at 7am. This will be quite a shock.

Chao

Monday, May 15, 2006

Artigis


Well another town and some more great people. It is so nice to meet people for 5 minutes and to be treated as if you are long lost relatives. We got here after an interesting 3 hour bus ride. Many people getting on and off. It was pretty full as we traveled the day before mothers day and thats a very important day here. I saw many parts for tractors and motorbikes put on and off the bus.

Once we arrived some of us were put in a hotel for the night. Well its not as good as it sounds. Three strapping guys in one room. You can only imagine. We had a great dinner at the local sports club and then were dropped back to our room. It was only 11pm so too early to goto sleep. We went to get a coffee but ended up at the square having a beer (as you do). A local befriended us. He wanted us to go dacing at some club with him. It sounded a but sus so we declined.

We got up early the next day and walked to Brazil. Yes walked. Its only over a bridge. There is customs there but it seems like window dressing only. It was very interesting. And of course they speak a different lanagague but we suvived

We had a great Asado for lunch and then went to a football game. Good fun. They really get excited here.

Well thats it for now

Chao

Friday, May 12, 2006

Salto

This is quite different to what we have seen so far. The people are the same. They trat us like family driving us everywhere and showing us the best parts of thier City.

We saw a Rotary project where they support a school in a very poor part of town. The government pays the wages and they assist with resources and pay for the foods that the children get. I dont think they get enough at home.

Today we went to the hot springs. This was just what we all needed. Very nice and a lot bigger that what we have in NZ. Many families having fun and enjoying the nice weather.

Tomorrow we move again to Altigis (spelt wrong) that is on the boarder with Brazil. This is going to be interesting. We will be able to walk to another country.

Happy Mothers day for all the Mums for Sunday. Some of us had forgotten but it is celebrated on the same day in Uraguay so its going to be an emotional day for some of us.

Till next time

Chao

Monday, May 08, 2006

Colon


Well this is another great city. Different to the others that we have visitied. It is a tourist town that doubles in size in the summer time. It is a very easy town to navigate although one person did get misplaced for a while.

Most of the streets are not paved so a water truck comes around and dampens them. It does not seem to be a problem.

We did our presentation on the first night. I think it went well. Our Spanish sounds better or maybe I am bias.

The next day we visited a winery. What a place, very small and it was pleasant to sit and do a little tasteing. I am amased on how good the wine is. It was only 2 months old. We then went to a Musum of the area. This was very well put together. We were even taken out the back to see all the things not on display.

Lunch was Asado at Raul house. What a feast. Thy really know how to BBQ here.

Notsure what is in store for the next few days

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Conception de Uruguay


Well this is another great town that is built around the town square. It is a great park where many people just hang, drink Mate and PDA (public displays of affection). It is hard to get used to a one way system with no give way signs or stop signs. I an still usure who is in the right at an intersection. You just slow down a little and then floor it. It seems to work.

We are being shown the normal high level of hospitality by our host families. We are very greatful for this as it makes us feel very at home.

Last night was the club dinner. We gave our presentation, showed the video of NZ and had a couple of AFS students as special guests. This was great as they were able to demonstrate the poi.

They have many statues and monuments. They all have a reason that we dont alwaysunderstand but here is on that is quite cool

Chao

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Parana


Hola todos (that means all of you!)

Sorry not to have written before now. Parana was a mad crazy city, and we were very busy with many activities ... including shopping. We are now in Concepcion del Uruguay, and not everyone has a computer. So, there's a lot of ground to cover since my last email ... highlights have included tango lessons, a tour of a beautiful theatre where we later saw a show, a night on the town, and did I mention the shopping?

We have now moved to Conception de Uraguay. This is a smaller ciry of 80k people. Been going to many schools and telling them about NZ and our customs. They are all very interested in us and our country. Could have sold our All Blacks jersys ten times.

Tonight is the big dinner here so I must go and get changed.

Chao