Getting Up-to-date

Ive been in South America now for 3 weeks. This time has been a
whirlwind of activities, lots of beautiful sights and a lot of laughs.
This morning, I took Julie to the airport where she, as I write this,
is probably already on a flight returning to Buenos Aires where she
will spend a few days with her family before flying back to Canada.
As for me, the next 2 months of my trip will take a completely
different pace. From tomorrow on, I will always be staying in homes,
no more hostels. Also, Ill be staying in each place for longer periods
of time. Time to eat more heathily, go for a run on a beach as the sun
rises, read a book at a cafe.
Today, though, im going to try to get this blog completely up to date.
I have 6 hours before I catch my bus to Curitiba.
So here goes:
Porto Alegre:
We were extremely comfortable in the home of a family friends brother.
The house was up on top of a hill and offered an amazing view of the
city. You could see one of their soccer stadiums in the distance, and
during a soccer match, from the house you could hear the chanting from
the stadium. We stayed with Rubem and Magali, as well as their
daughter Julia and their small dog Nina.
While Porto Alegre can probably be seen in one day, we ended up
staying 4 thanks to our amazing hosts. Our hosts were so welcoming,
friendly and made delicious meals...we couldnt help but stay for 4
days.
Exploring the downtown area of Porto Alegre was made easy since Julie
needed to find an international calling card...and it seemed that no
shop offered such a product. We went from store to store for a good
hour before a friendly woman escorted us to a place to buy the cards.
One of the highlights was definitely Sunday night where Julie and I
found ourselves sitting out on the street in front of a small bar,
where a guy was playing/singing some bossa nova with his acoustic.
Around him it was an open circle where anyone could grab a percussion
instrument and keep the rythm going. Music, drinks, dancing, night
sky....it was a beautiful conclusion to our stay in Porto Alegre.
Canela
From there we made our way to Canela, where as I have already shown in
a couple photos...it was cold but worth it for the view we got of a
waterfall...thinking about it now though...now that ive been to
Iguacu...that view was nothing. Even Niagara falls is nothing compared
to Iguacu...
Florianopolis
We arrived in Florianopolis at 530 in the morning. Grabbed a taxi to
my cousin´s apartment. The last time I had seen my cousin he was about
14 years old...now he is 20. It was so different to see him
now....almost strange to have a beer with him! He is studying
gastronomy in Florianopolis and invited us to his college where we
tried some amazing dishes (from the north east of Brazil).
Florianopolis is actually a city on the Island of Santa Catarina...but
the entire island is simply referred to as Florianopolis. It reminded
me a lot of San Fransico: Lots of hills and beaches....some of the
best beaches of Brazil, truly spectacular...and both Florianopolis and
San Fran are represented by a bridge. Unfortunately the weather wasnt
very spectacular for swimming or even wearing shorts at the beach.
Most days were cloudy...and several days it rained.
Id like to go back to Floripa some day...in the summer though. Its an
absolutely beautiful city...heck I wouldnt mind living there some day.
Its got everything I want from a city...and way better weather than
any city in Canada.
Iguacu Falls
From Floripa we moved away from the coast, right to Iguacu...where
Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina meet. You come here to see the
falls...which are competing as one of the new 7 natural wonders of the
world. To see all of the falls you have to visit Iguacu Park in
Argentina as well as in Brazil. Words cant begin to describe the
amazing feeling of being so close to so much water thundering down
infront of you...all within a semi tropical environment. Its a
paradise...at times you feel like you are in a prehistoric age...I
will post some photos...i really cant describe it. Definitely worth
the 13 hour bus ride. It puts the waterfall in Canela to shame...even
Niagara falls seems insignificant compared to the beauty of this park.
Soon I will get some photos posted up of al these places. Tonight Im
grabbing a bus to Curitiba...and beginning the next chapter of this
journey.