Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, South America

I had a pretty poor night’s sleep at the hostel last night. I don’t know if it was due to this being the first time I’m back in a dorm for a while or what, but I kept waking up through the night, which is really annoying. I woke up at 6am and didn’t feel like laying there anymore, so I got up and got ready for the day. I grabbed a quick bite to eat at the hostel (bread and juice was all that they put out at that time), and then walked down to the bus terminal for about 7am. I got the bus at 7:15am and got to the park around 7:45am.

I was hoping to be one of the first people there so it wouldn’t be packed when I was trying to get pictures, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. When I arrived at the entrance there was already a Disney-like wraparound line that was about six rows deep to get tickets. I stood in line for about twenty minutes, got my ticket (260 pesos, about $30 US), and made my way into the park. I stopped at the information desk to ask where they recommended that I go first, and they said to take the train to the Devil’s Throat, and then work my way down.

I got to the Cataratas Station for the train and saw an even bigger line than there had been at the entrance! This was about a twenty minute line as well and this REALLY felt like Disney World. We all waited in line to get this little trolley-train up to the top of the falls. We go up to the top station and had about a ten minute walk to get to the Devil’s Throat, and this was along a boardwalk over all the rivers that flow into the falls. Of course this boardwalk was filled with slow people, fat people, annoying people, and just everyone in the world I did not want to be in front of me in a queue. I finally got past them and got to the platform at the end, only to find that about 200-300 people had already made it there and were fighting fora spot at the bannister to get a good view.

I got to the bannister, finally, and was absolutely stunned by the view. These waterfalls really are something spectacular. Unfortunately, I had about four seconds to stand there and enjoy the view before some jackass shoved me so he could take a picture from the bannister. It pissed me off enough that I shoved him back so I could get back to the bannister, but the moment of enjoyment had passed. I got a few pictures, took some videos with my GoPro and then got the heck out of there.

It was a real shame because the view from there is absolutely breathtaking, but when you feel like you want to punch a bunch of people in the neck, that kinda takes away from the moment. I got the train back down to Cataratas Station, and then headed to the Upper Trail. This was another walkway that walked over some of the falls, but they were just as crowded as the Devil’s Throat, and just as unenjoyable. I got some pictures, and then wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.

I left the Upper Trail and went down to the Lower Trail, which of course brings you down near the bottom of the falls. There was one point where I was right next to the falls and it was really cool to feel the power of the falls from so close. That coolness was diminished by all the idiots who thought they were at a 4th grader’s pool party and were jumping around and throwing water at each other. It was unbelievable to me how stupid some of these people could be.

I got out of there and saw loads of coatis on my way out, which were kind of cool. This is an animal that looks like the cross between an anteater and a raccoon. There are hundreds of them running around in the park, and they are so used to people, that they are not afraid at all. Actually, they love getting near people because they are trying to find some food. I saw a whole family of them wandering around the walkway on my way out and they were all trying to find some food. I even walked past a cafe and there were some of them on the tables trying to steal people’s food from right off their plates! These animals have no fear at all.

I got a bus back to the center of town and walked back to the hostel to chill for a bit until it was time to go out to dinner. I went to a place near the hostel that was just called The Empanaderia. I didn’t have empanadas, believe it or not, but had a great chicken napolitana, which is a piece of breaded chicken with ham, cheese, and tomato sauce on top, with mashed potatoes. It was delicious!! I came back to the hostel after and have just been chilling here talking to some other travelers. Tomorrow I’m going to move over to Brazil to check out the falls from that side. I really hope it’s a better experience than today was.