Have You Ever Been To A Rain Forest?

I went to Argentina last month.. Buenos Aires was fascinating, but not what I expected. I could feel the past violence of the city. As recently as what, 20 years ago??, people opposed to the government were simply 'disappearing.' When I was there, I could feel the city buzzing and yet, under the surface, there was discomfort. Can't quite put my finger on it and I invite anyone more knowledgeable to send me their ideas.

We had a wonderful tour guide, Maria, who took us just about everywhere in the city, including the poor areas, with stray dogs and people sleeping here and there or just wandering. A city of contrasts.

But one place I found extraordinary was Iguazu Falls. It's a series of 275 waterfalls on the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. We were advised to see the falls from both the Argentine and Brazil sides. Before the tours, I was sitting on the balcony of my room at the Sheraton Iguazu and feeling the immense healing power of this rain forest. Why on earth are people cutting them down?

We toured the Argentine side of the falls in the morning and the Brazil side after lunch. In the rain. Well, of course, it's a rain forest! We had plastic slickers on, but still got sprayed a lot. We were so close to the falls, it was scary. Such power. And such noise. Can you imagine the first people who came upon this scene centuries ago? What a discovery.

A deluge came that afternoon while on the Brazil side. A very powerful thunder storm. We were delayed getting back to the hotel and when we arrived, all the power was out. Pitch black. And yet people from all over the world, speaking many languages, were sitting in the bar having a good time. The bar had candles and flashlights lined up and the bartenders were mixing up drinks right and left. Sandwiches were magically appearing from below-stairs. And everyone was having fun.

Every once in a while, the power would come back on and a huge cheer came up from the crowd. Then the lights would go out again and we all laughed.

If you decide to go there, I highly recommend the Sheraton Iguazu on the Argentine side. We were told it's the only hotel that's actually in the park. You can actually see the falls from the lobby. AND they have internet access.

Heidi