Rio do Janiero

How to I explain this city to those who have yet to be held my it. I mean it this city held me and held me close. I can give you a few descriptive words; beach, sand, caipirinhas, samba, sunsets, sunrises, thongs, muscles, pobreza, riqueza, portuguese ( my new favorite language) suco do manga, sun and sun. I loved it all.

We stayed three blocks from the beach on which you could find yourself in a crowd of many different suits from bathing to business. As revealing and covered as you could possibly imagine. I met some of the most wonderful travelers that I hope to stay in touch with always.

The story that I want to share with you from my time in Rio is my experience going to the Favela. Our friend Alberto had met a guy on the beach who had invited him to his house in one of the Favelas (for those who dont know look it up) I was very hesitant but went in the end. At first the guy just seemed all too eager to take six foreigners to his home in the poorest sections of Rio where there technically are no laws where most Brasilians will not step foot.

He informed us that we were gonna have a BBQ at his house and we went to the store to purchase the meat and condiments. I wasnt sure what to think and began to doubt my surroundings. We began to discuss it more and more and came to the conclusion that there are risks to be taken in life and sometimes we just had to let go. Whatever was going to happen was going to happen. So we loaded up with the food and walked a ways to the base of the favela where we were to catch a mini bus that would take us about half way.

As I loopked around me at the other people in line I noticed the powerful difference in economic class from the business men I was used to seeing on the streets of Rio. I was not amongst the wealthy. Cleven our new guide chatted with us and I began to feel more comfortable. We got on the mini bus that took us up the only street fit for a car. We unlaoded and followed Cleven one by one through the complex maze of stairs, apartments and sidewalks. We followed him very much aware of how much we did not fit in until we arrived to a steep staircase that led up to his house.

He opened the door and directly inside was his wife witha huge grin on her face waiting to greet us. They welcomed each of us into their hoime with the two sons 5 and 2 yrs old. The 5yr old slept through the evening but Ingrid the mom and 2yr old son danced the night away with us. We climed even more stairs before arriving to his roof which had the most spectacular view of the city. Rio at its finest.

Directly above the highest buildings you could see for miles along the coast ever the buildings. We prepared the food and danced to Brasilian funk and Samba. We finally began eating delicious meat and garlic bread and grilled vegetables. Now the family didnt have much but they were more openly affectionate with each other than I see most couples and eager to share their lives with us.

We danced and ate and talked. I warmed up to the son and he rested on my shoulder as I danced. We watched the moon rise as a huge orange slice over the buildings. At about 11:30pm fireworks shot off into the sky due to the winning of a soccer game. We gathered out stuff around midnight and without a cent in our pockets after giving the family what we had left we found ourselves having to walk down through the favela to the safe security of the streets of copacabana.

With Cleven guiding us again though this time a bit drunk we found ourselves in a much less secure environment. The littel shops and walkways were filled with night inhabitants who were not too welcoming to a group of foreigners exploring their streets. Cleven ended up leading us through to another Favela where it got even more uncomfortable. Gringo was called out a few times and another guy was not about to let us go up his street. A few very large guns were seen on either side of the path.

At one very sketchy moment cleven told Alberto to wait there and he left. Alberto made the executive decision to continue down directly as possible. Without looking around we headed straight until we couldnt go down anymore. We hit the streets and breathed a bit easier. We had survived the Favela.

Well it was an experience that I will never forget and an eye opening one at that. I am learning a lot from the world and I think I can safely say that that is the one and only time that I shall venture into a Favela in Rio Do Janiero.

Paraguay

After a few wonderful days wandering around northern Argentina we headed over to the border of Paraguay. We were met there by Rocio´s cousins who have been living in Asuncion for the last three years. Celeste the most wonderful woman currently pregnant with her third child. Her and Eugenio have two boys Gui and Nico. Gui is 6 and Nico is 9. We spent 6 wonderful days at their house being treated like family.

This was a different experience from our normal backpackers routine of a hostal and a lot of walking. Celeste and Eugenio own their own business and live rather far outside of the city. We spent much of our weekend at their beautiful home swiming in the pool and relaxing doing our best to avoid the heat and dengue filled mosquitos.

They showed us wonderful hospitality and spening time with a family on this trip has always been a refresher. They took care of us and I will forever remember them as my paraguayan family.

After we left their wonderful home we headed to the border of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil to experience the water filled Iguazu. Now for those who dont know what is the cataratas de Iguazu it is the biggest waterfall I have ever seen and by far the most breathtaking. It takes two days to see these immense falls. One day on the Brazil side and one day on the Argentine side. Order doesnt matter though we chose the Brazil side first due to external circumstances.

El lado de Brazil: The trail head to the falls is surrounded by green. Through the trees we (Debbie, Rocio and I) got a glimpse of what lay ahead and from all the pictures I had seen I could still not believe what was in front of me. Breathtaking the number of waterfalls that there were and the expanse it took of my vision.

So we commenced the trail where we were educated on the brilliance of butterflies. They were everywhere. The trail was dilled with them and lixards. It was about a two hour walk down the trail with every lookout point getting more and more spectaculaar. Bringing us closer and closer to one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Finally we got to the closest one and I dont know how to explain the spider web of falls that stared back at me.

We were over some in front of others and ever more on eitrher side and behind. I had a feild day with pictures and moments. The sounds and sights of the water pouring down were fantastic then I looked across and saw hundreds of Butterflies circling a plant loiooking like glitter dust filling the air. Not to mention being showered bu the spray of the falls the entire time. The only way we were able to finally leave was knowing that we would be seeing them again from the other side.

El lado Argentino: This side is a bit different. Instead of one trail there are many and many different angles from which to view the falls. The first step is a small train to a trail where you wak to an overhanging over the largest of the falls. On the way you find yourself covered from head to toe with licking butterflies and everyone in a while over the edge you can dind a little crocodile.

When we reached the falls Debbie and I ran to the edge to be engulfed by the spray. I found myself lost in the falling water trying to target individual drops. We spent a good hour staring and posing and awing at the greatness. Finally we made our way back on the trail to the train and got off halfway back for another trail to go to some other falls. Finally we arrived at the boats which we had bought a very expensive ticket for.

The ride was short and in the end not necesarily worth it. But I can say that I went inside the falls at Iguazu. The boat carries you under the falls about two times and you leave completely drenched.

Afterwards there were a few more views to experience and then I think our legs just couldnt take any more. Not to mention the overwhelming sensation in all of my senses so we finally headed back