Trip to Igauzú, Argentina/ Stopējiens uz Iguazú, Argentīnā

End of August was holiday time and Marta and me went hitchhiking to Iguassu - the waterfalls on Argentinian and Brazilian border. First day we went about 500 km to the town Salto, where Uruguay borders Argentina, stayed in a hostel where we felt like home straight away. The owner suggested to cooked together and so us and the other guests (Uruguayans) went to shop and got busy:) That all included Cuba Libre, jokes and a lot of fun till 5 am - holidays were officially started.

roads, trucks, food and us-a success story/ ceļi, smagās automašīnas, ēdiens un mēs-panākumu stāsts:)

Kayaking in the river Parana/izbrauciens ar kajaku Parana upē

San Ignacio: Jesuit ruins/Jezuītu drupas

Next day headed out early - the plan was to make about 700 km. The hardest part was to cross the bridge and border to Argentina (approx.20 km:)). As it was Sunday, not much traffic there. We did in about an hour with 4 cars. The last one like from a Tarantino movie-and old American sports car, with a big, long haired cowboy looking guy, with perfect English, doing business on the border. Well we got on the highway that connects Brazil with Buenos Aires life looked better, we got a truck that took us to the next town and 5 later another stopped and told us he can take us 3 km further, well we said - its more than nothing. Then we started to talk and it turned out to be joke and this guy was actually going to our destination, city called Posadas, so we where safe and enjoyed a 600 km ride in nice company - a really good looking man, with excellent manners, it was already dark when we arrived, so he took us to a bus stop and made sure we get to our couch surfers safe. And we did. We stayed with a really nice family. The stay was short. Got up the next morning with the plan to reach Igauzu, but...

Bridge between Brazil and Argentina (with us) and a river between Brazil and Paraguay/Tilts starp Brazīliju un Argentīnu (un mēs) un upe starp Brazīliju un Paragvaju

We wanted to take a look at the Jesuit ruins in a town called San Igancio. But then we started to talk with the tourism office guy and he convinced us to stay over night. So we did, went on a trip through a National Reserve, went kayaking in the river Parana, where on the other coast you can see Paraguay, met some Guarani tribe members, played ping-pong and pool at the hostel and spent a wonderfully time altogether:)

So next day we had to make it to Iguazu - only 200 km to go, so we took it easy. We went with one car till Wanda and wanted to see the semi-precious stone mines but changed our minds and got back in the road-good decision. Two guys from Brazil picked us up -boy did we have fun with them. Two grownup men and great sense of humor. We laughed all the time, they took us for lunch and us they were crossing over to Brazil, we decided to go with them. On the other side they helped to find us the hostel and settle in. Still cant believe how they treat hitchhikers here, like guests:)

The animals we met in parks/parkos sastaptie dzīvnieciņi

At this point we needed some rest from all the driving and parting, so we took it easy, enjoyed the hostel as it was also a camping, like a little park and went to bed early.

Next day we crossed over to Paraguay, because we were told its really cheap to shop there. But it was a madness, a huge marked and shopping centers, crowded with people. We bought a volleyball and basketball for the summertime and went back. It was time to see the falls. 

The Brazilian side of the Falls is smaller, but definitely you get a nice view. The park is so neat and tidy and perfectly organized that i wanted to put on dress and high heels. And also as a foreigners we payed everything double:) But they are so beautifully!!!!

The next they we crossed the border to Argentina again, this time walking, checked in to a hostel and went straight to the Falls from this side. In Argentina the park is bigger and you can spend all day there, even more. We walked around, enjoyed the views, had lunch and tried to avoid all the other tourists, witch is impossible, its crowded with people, that kinda ruined a bit the whole thing, but...we all want to see the beautiful things of the world!!!

At night we bought a buffet dinner and had to cross the street to another hostel to have it. There we met some french guys who are maths teachers in French Guiana. We played ping pong and shoe pong - its when you use your shoes instead of your rackets - it actually works:), had dinner, some drinks. When the rest had went to bad, we started to chat with the employees and when their shift was over, we all went out dancing!!! OMG-reggeton just kills me-so much ass action I haven't experienced in all my life. That music is not really enjoyable but all the things you endure for good company:)

The morning came with a hangover but really great breakfast. I must say the hostels in this part of the world serve nice breakfasts included in the price!

It was time to move, because we had to head back. We needed to get to a town called Alem, again around 200 km. The traffic was not that good, but we got there at daylight, found our couch surfing home...only that there was nobody home, so we camped outside the door for about 3 hours, had dinner (bred, sardines from a can and wine - delicious:)). Then they arrived, a really nice family, who allowed us to stay in an apartment on our own, so we cooked, showered and went to bad happy:)

The next day was supposed to be the last day in Argentina and we needed to cross the border to Uruguay, because we were staying with our friend's aunt in Paysandu! It was about 800km away. And we made it. Thanks to the Got of Highway 14, Santin! A Brazilian truck driver. Craziest guy ever. He can drive, sing, imitate accordion and drums at the same time. We had a blast. They were 3 colleagues driving together to Buenos Aires, they made lunch and as they were carrying watermelons, we had the juiciest dessert ever, boy was that delicious!!! It was already 11 pm when we got to the border, as you cant cross the bridge walking at night time, Santin called us a taxi, fed us a quick dinner, payed the taxi to make sure we get home safe. And we did. 

Spent the night at our lovely guest family, had breakfast and we felt that we are home, back to Uruguay! We had only 400 km to manage to Montevideo. We got lucky, because our godfathers from our first hitchhiking trip came to see a rugby game to Paysandu! So they took us to lunch, than to see the game - had never seen one before, uuuu really hot I must say:) And then we drove back with them. Till our doorsteps. Amazing. This trip was amazing, this country is amazing, this continent is amazing and the people here are really amazing!!!

blast from the past/ senatnes dvesma

I want a dress like these!!!/ Gribu tādas kleitas, gribu!!!!

One sunny Sunday a friend of mine offered a trip to a small towns birthday. There is actually not much to tell, it was a beautiful and relaxing day. At the end of the day we also went to see Uruguay's biggest holiday spot Punta del Este. Looked nice of season, but I imagine it in the summer crowded with people...
Kādā jaukā saulainā svēdtienā viens draugs piedāvāja izbraukt uz viena ciema pilsētas svētkiem. Nav pat īsti ko stāstīt, vienkārši atpūtos un baudīju mieru un skaistumu. Dienas beigās iebraucam arī Urugvajas lielākajā kūrorta pilsētā Punta del Este - bez cilvēkiem jau nekāda vaina, bet iztēlojos vasaru un cilvēku pūļus...

the villages are so peaceful/ciemateļi ir tik mierpilni

Punta del Este