January 2-January 5, 2010After leaving Buenos Aires, alone again, I caught an 18 hour overnight bus to Puerto Iguazu. So this time, my new travel buddy found me! I was standing around waiting for the bus, which wasn't being announced on the screen even though it was time, and a lovely lady approached me. "Do you speak English?" she said. "Yes!" I said. "Are you going to Puerto Iguazu?" "I'm trying to!" And thus this is how I met my new travel buddy from Scotland, Nicola! :)
One highlight of my bus ride, which now was minus my I-pod (dead as a doornail), I plugged into the bus music and listened to the whole Ace of Base album! Excellent flashback to my younger days. ;) Another highlight--they played the newest Twilight movie, New Moon, on the bus! I was thrilled! It was in Spanish but I loved it anyways!
Anyways, so Nicola and I ended up at the same hostel and spent our time in Puerto Iguazu together. That was after me going to one hostel, which was full, then making my way back to where I started...and WHOA was it hot there!! Showering was a do or die situation, I couldn't do anything after that long bus ride and hostel search until post-shower. However, as we quickly learned, it was so hot, you really started sweating immediately after the shower. It was one of the first times I experienced non-stop sweating. I normally reserve my sweating for the gym only, when I'm prepared for it. But here it was sweating while on the computer, sweating in line at the ATM-literally dripping sweat. And what makes matters worse, the locals don't sweat as much since they are more used to the heat. So you feel really cool and sexy. :)
Anyways, had to get my Visa sorted out to get into Brazil, as Puerto Iguazu is the last stop before Brazil. (Tragic...I was literally so sad to be leaving Argentina.) Of course getting a Visa is never easy (except in Bolivia!) so it consisted of me going to to the Consulate and he said I needed a passport picture. So I went back to the hostel and got it (sweating). Then I go back and he says my picture is too small! And he needs the info for where I'm staying in Brazil (even though as a true backpacker, of course I don't have that scheduled yet!!) so I go back to the hostel to get that info for him from the internet and then as a sweaty mess go to Kodak to get a passport picture taken. Luckily after waiting 20 mins and slowing down the sweating, he needed to take another as the first one didn't work. Yay! Then waited in a MASSIVE line at the bank's ATM. Brought everything to the Consulate and against my better judgment left him my passport, the money it cost, and my paperwork. Decided to pick it up tomorrow am so I wouldn't waste the day waiting around for it.
Saw Nicola at breakfast and we both wanted to go to Iguazu Falls that day so we went together! We met an English guy in line so we decided to all go around together. Also met a NY guy, Texas girl, and a Canadian girl who we also walked around with. Love that about traveling-new friends are everywhere! Okay, so here it is...Igauzu falls are one of the highlights of some people's trip. Well...I was unimpressed! I think it was because it was SO sweltering hot, I was developing a headache, it was down pouring rain on and off and we got soaked. Of course took pictures though!
Well, my Iguazu day ended well. NOT. I was feeling crummy on and off all day. Nicola and I decided to cook dinner and eat together at the hostel. I kept feeling worse and worse until right before I was going to eat my food and then politely excused myself. As I hurriedly walked to my room, I threw up on the ground about 5 times! (So classy). Immediately after, I felt fantastic!! I think it was heat stroke or something. I then proceeded to gobble up my dinner and then went to bed. Needless to say, me and Puerto Iguazu were not soulmates.
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