Buenos Aires, Argentina

I got to Buenos Aires bright and early yesterday morning after an all nighter on the bus. The bus was actually really nice-they served us cocktail drinks, dinner, and champagne! It was pretty ridiculous. The seats were a LOT better than the previous bus rides, so I slept fairly well. Unfortunately though, during the day part of the ride, there was an Argentinian man that happened to sit next to us on the bus that would not stop talking to us and calling us ¨Chanquis¨, which really is Yankees, his term for us Americans. He also had a really annoying simpsons ring tone on his cell that went off every time he got a text-which was about every minute. Finally, around 10:30 pm I told him if he could either turn it down or turn it off, as Alex and I, along with everyone else on the bus, were trying to sleep. He didn`t bother us anymore after that.
Anyway we got to the BA bus station at 8 in the morning. There were a million people around, and it was only 8 am! Well, Alex and I waited around until a quarter to nine. We were suppose to meet our aunt at her office at 9 am, so we took a taxi at that time. The taxi driver took us to a completely different side of town because he thought I had said a certain street-which I never did. He kept insisting that I did, and I told him, how could I tell you a street in a city that I have never been in? I had never even heard of that street? Well, we arrived after nine to the office and I told my aunt about the incident. She got mad and ran after the taxi driver and yelled at him for trying to take advantage of tourists. An argument broke out on the street and I just wanted to get away from it. Yeah I had been overcharged, but what can you do? I know its bound to happen to me because I am a tourist. It already happened in Rio. I got charged more than double what it should have cost! Oh well, deal and move on!
So Alex and I met our aunt and then we went to her house, where we hung out and rested most of the day.
Then yesterday, we went with our two cousins. Caro and Maxi, to visit the Casa Rosada-the presidential palace, Caminito-where tango originated-I think, and Puerto Madero.
Today, Alex, Caro and I went to see the movie Yes man, with Jim Carrey. It was funny. We have been taking it easy, its been nice to not try and do a million things in one day. Plus I have been to BA before, so I have seen everything touristy.
Tomorrow we are going to El Tigre, an area outside of the city that is a delta. Its very nice, and it was prob my fav thing that I did last time I came to BA.

Iguazu Falls and 3 countries in one day

So its almost midnight and I should be sleeping but Im not. Its been a hectic 3 days! On Saturday Alex and I arrived in Foz De Iguazu, after our looooong bus ride from Rio. We got there around mid day, found a hostel, and went straight to the Brazilian side of the falls. Wow! They were spectacular!!!! Then yesterday, Alex and I left Foz de Iguazu for Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. We crossed the border and found a hostel, and then went to the Argentinian side of the falls. We spent about 6 hours there. There is a lot more to do on the Argentina side. We walked along the trails and also went on a boat ride that takes you under the falls so that you get soaking wet. It was great! However, it was also really really hot and humid. I dont think I have ever been as hot as I was yesterday. It was a horrible feeling, trying to enjoy something so beautiful while trying to also tolerate the heat and not get dehydrated. It felt wonderful when we were finally able to get back to our hostel and take a cold shower! Then last night we went for some drinks with some people from our hostel-a British guy, an American from Vegas, and 2 Koreans. We had a great time! It was actually pretty hilarious trying to have a conversation with everyone because the guys from Korea speak some English, but I think many things were lost in translation, and everyone would just end up laughing. We stayed out kinda late and this morning I didnt feel all that well. The British guy, David, convinced Alex and I to go into Paraguay for the morning so that we could help him return a camera that he had bought there a couple of days ago. So we hopped on a bus that takes you across the border to Brazil, and then across the border again into Paraguay. 3 countries in one day, not bad! However, we didnt even get a stamp to enter into Paraguay. So technically, we were there illegally. Anyway it was quite an experience in itself because there are soooo many people in the streets and shops. Everyone wants to sell you something-even when you say several times no thank you! In the hour that we were there, I think at least 10 different people stuck fake puma socks in my face telling me that i could get 6 of them for some amount of guarani-the currency there. Then we had to wait in the street for a bus to come for about 45 minutes and then you have to hop on, there is no bus stop. We had to catch a bus into Brazil, get off, and get another one to Argentina. It was ridiculous, and I was glad when we finally left. After this whole shindig that took around 4 hours, Alex and I again headed off to the falls, to see the garganta del diablo-Devil´s throat, the best part. It was the highlight of the park. The amount of water was intense! See for yourself in the picture! Tomorrow we head to Buenos Aires. Alex and I got the most luxurious bus they have-seats that turn into full beds and food service on the bus. Its also a double decker. Alex is pretty psyched about that!

Cristo Redentor y Pao de Acucar

Alex and I did an all day tour today. The highlights were Christ the Redeemer and the Sugar Loaf! The weather was overcast when we started the tour but once we got up to the Christ it was raining and really foggy. We couldn´t even see his face, just the outline of his body. Then we went to the Sugar Loaf-the views from that were spectacular! It feels amazing to be that high and to see so much around you!

The tour included a delicious lunch at a churrasceria-an all you can eat place. It was probably the best meal Alex and I have had yet!

Tonight Alex and I are probably just chilling at our hostal, since the weather is gross. Last night we just hung out with all the other travelers there-they are from all over-Australia, England, Sweden, Argentina, Denmark, Ireland-its really cool talking to everyone about where they have been and where they plan to go!

Rainy Rio

Got to Rio de Janeiro this morning at 10:30 am after a long 24 hour bus ride! Alex and I took the bus yesterday from Ilheus at 9:45 am. The AC was not working on the bus, so during the day it was really hot and I, along with several other people on the bus, were unhappy! Then, during the night, they managed to put the AC on and it was FREEZING!! Alex and I were so cold, and we only had one tiny blanket to use! Plus, it was hard trying to sleep on the bus since we kept stopping to pick up people at different bus stations. Anyway, we finally made it to Rio, and it was pouring! It has been raining all day really hard, and so Alex and I have not been able to do much. We are staying in a hostal in Copacabana beach. We did do laundry, which was nice, since we were running out of clean clothes. We have planned to go on a tour tomorrow to see the Cristo Redentor and Pao de Azucar-Sugar Loaf-, if it stops raining. We already bought our bus tickets to Iguazu Falls for Friday around mid-day. Thats another 24 hour bus ride! This time though, we will be better prepared!

Valenca- Interesting Bus Ride-Ilheus

Im here in a coastal town called Ilheus. Alex and I got to Valenca, a colonial fishing town 40 minutes by boat from Morro de Sao Paulo yesterday morning. We wanted to catch an early bus to Ilheus from there, but there was nothing until 3:30pm. We had to wait for 6 hours at the bus station. Let me tell you, it was a ton of fun! Alex and I just sat around, ate, and played cards. Finally, it was time for us to get on. Alex and I were so tired when we got on the bus that we fell asleep. About 30 minutes into the ride, we were both woken up by really loud music. I was very confused-I thought that it was coming from inside the bus, but it was actually coming from outside. The bus was going 2 miles an hour and it was stuck behind a street party! People were clapping and singing to music blaring from a speaker on a truck, and we were stuck behind them! It didnt look like they seemed to care that we were behind them, they just kept doing their thing. Finally, about 20 minutes later, they turned the corner, and the bus was able to resume its usual speed. I tried to fall asleep again but this old man decided to stand in the aisle and sing his heart out. He was horrible! On top of this, there was a little girl behind us that would not stop giggling! Oh god! Luckily, both these people got off not too long after, and we were able to continue our ride in peace. At one point though, someone on the bus turned on a portable radio and was playing Kenny G music-random, huh? We finally made it to Ilheus around 8:30 pm and took a taxi to a hostal. Our taxi driver was HILARIOUS. He kept laughing about everything, especially about not speaking english! We got to our hostal and Alex and I both crashed, we were tired!
Today we slept in and then walked around the centro. We bought tickets for Rio de Janeiro! We leave tomorrow on a bus for Rio-22 hour bus ride! oh yea!

Sunburns, snorkeling, and sailing

I am exhausted! Today Alex and I went on a boat trip for the entire day around the island. We left at 9 am and got back at 5 pm. We got to go snorkeling in crystal clear water in piscinas naturales. We then visited different deserted beaches that were beautiful. At one of the beaches we ate lunch. We continued on sailing through a huge river that divides the main island into smaller ones. We sailed past mangroves and huge palm trees. We met a couple of women from Argentina-three from Cordoba and 2 from Buenos Aires, who were very friendly. Then we were back on the ocean and saw both dophins and sea turtles! By the end of the day, I had had too much sun, so as soon as we were let off the boat, we went back to our hostel-pousada-and fell asleep. Now we are about to meet the Argentinians we met for dinner. Alex and I want to go party after, as this island seems to be a huge party place, but we dont know if we will last that long because the heat has really gotten to us. Did I mention Alex and I got sunburned-again?? No matter how much sunscreen we apply, that sun is nasty! Tomorrow we leave bright and early for a town called Valenca, which is a boat ride away. Then we are taking a bus for about 5 hours to our next destination!

Morro do Sao Paulo-a beautiful island

I am on a beautiful island in the bahia de todos os santos in Brazil. Alex and i arrived this morning after a two hour boat ride from Salvador. Alex was not feeling too hot while on the boat ride, it felt like a million degrees in the boat. On top of that, they were playing really loud cheesy music the entire time. We were just glad to finally get off the boat. We walked around with our huge backpacks looking for a reasonably priced hostal -pousada- and finally found one. We settled down and then I walked around for a bit, exploring. The place has no cars-all the roads are sand, and people walk barefoot with their swimsuits all around. I imagine it is what jamaica may feel like. Im excited to be here! Alex and I will prob go get some food soon and then hit the beach!

Music and Dancing

So last night we went to the street party in the old city. People were playing instruments, singing and dancing. It was fun, we ate traditional food, which was a combination of meats and salads, and had delicious caipirinhas. We then went to some bars in the neighborhood with a couple of people we met at the hostal. It was overall a good night!
Today, Alex and I took a bus again to the old city to actually sight see. It was another incredibly hot day. We walked around and saw the old colonial buildings and took an elevator that connects the lower city to the top city, where we were at. Down in the lower city, Alex got her hair half braided and I got a braid done at the back of my neck. The ladies that did our hair were so funny! They would speak to us in portuguese and dance, and we had no idea what they were saying! We would just laugh when they would laugh, and it was all good! We then sat down at the market and had some water while we watched people perform capoiera. After walking a ton and trying to tolerate this heat, Alex and I finally made it to the hostal. We both fell asleep from exhaustion. Now we are about to get ready to go out to a bar that plays good music on Wednesday nights. Luckily it is right around the corner from the hostel.

I have arrived in Brazil!

I am finally in Salvador, Brazil. After a long trip, which started amidst heavy snow and horrible traffic in Denver and ended in a crazy 30 minute drive through the twisting streets of Salvador, I am now in a hot, humid, beautiful beach city. I am currently at our hostel, Barra Guest House, which is within 5 minutes walking distance to the beach. Alex and I are going to walk around and hopefully relax, since we have not slept much in over 24 hours.
Tonight, there is a street party that you are sure to find us at. As Alex would say, we are going to hit that up tonight girl. I will let you know how it goes...