After Buenos Aires I headed all the way north to Puerto Iguazú, which sits at the crux of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It was a welcome relief to relax and catch up on sleep! Iguazú is a Guaraní word meaning Big Water, and fittingly everyone comes to see the highly impressive national park with hundreds of waterfalls. I thought much of it was rather theme-parky but it is pretty astounding. The final waterfall, Garganta del Diablo, is the most magnificent waterfall I've ever seen. All-encompassing power. The next day I came back and hiked the Sendero Macuco, a pleasant walk through the jungle, which was quite secluded. It was neat to have seen the very south of Argentina and now the very north.
Next I went to Resistencia for just one day, which seemed an appropriate amount of time to stay there. Before I left for Córdoba on a night bus, I ended up meeting a Jewish Resistencia family at a café who invited me back to their house. So I went, drank mate, ate cake, and hung out with their kids. Like I've said before, Argentinians are a beautiful example of generosity. When was the last time you met someone in a cafe and invited them to come over to your house for a snack?! Let's start!
Upon arriving in Córdoba, I took a taxi to my hostel. My taxi driver was very excited that this was my first visit to Córdoba and proceeded to tell me everything he could about the city in our 10 minute ride. When he asked how long I would be staying and I told him 5 nights, he loudly exclaimed, "Oh no! But you must stay longer. That's so short!" He had a pained look on his face, as if I had personally offended him for only staying 5 nights. "Don't worry," I responded, "I'll see as much as I can in that amount of time." That consoled him.
Córdoba is a fabulous city. It reminds me of Mendoza in some ways but has beautiful colonial architecture (which was obliterated in Mendoza in the earthquake of 1861). And the best empanadas I've ever eaten in Argentina! Ran into some friends from Buenos Aires. Lots of partying and little sleeping in Córdoba. The drink of choice is fernet, a medicinal toothpaste tasting beverage that you mix with coke. Sounds delicious, huh? You kind of get used to it after awhile. But you know it's bad when you start thinking your toothpaste tastes like fernet. I had a great week in the city and got to see one of my friends from Mendoza who had just moved there a few weeks before. I also made it to the national park for my last time hiking in Argentina.
I returned to Mendoza Friday night, which was a wonderful feeling to come back to a familiar environment. Walking around the city the next day, I ran into many people I knew. Lots of the artisans in the plaza remembered me and came to say hi. I've gotten to see many of my friends, have been chilling around the hostel, and have been hanging out with my artisan friend Leo and company. Had as asado last night. Went to the intercambio for the last time, where they told me I now speak just like an Argentinian (woo-hoo!). Working on saying goodbye. I take a bus to Santiago tomorrow morning and catch my flight home Thurs morning (Wed night) at 3 am. Hard to comprehend leaving Argentina. Will write one last entry soon...
Pictures to be posted...
Becky