The Falls

Amber and I have spent the last two days touring the amazing place known as Iguazú Falls. It was such a sight to see, smell, hear, and feel. Yesterday we walked to the top of the falls, known as La Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat). I cannot seem to put into words what we saw. The waterfalls were so massive and breathtaking at the same time. We stood there staring, and taking hundreds of photos, trying to capture and remember every detail of what we were seeing. I stood there, tried to close my eyes and focus on the sound and sheer energy emitting from the falls. It was so powerful that it practically forced my eyes open again.

We walked along the Upper Circut which took around an hour. We walked on cold, wet, slippery grates (on which I slipped) over the tops and sides of some of the waterfalls. We were speechless to how to describe what we were feeling and seeing. We would see one waterfall and turn a corner and see ten more. Then we'd walk another twenty feet and see a panoramic view of over 50 waterfalls. The sheer mass of the water was uncomprehensible. How can it be that not every single person in the world knows about this amazing place. We were in love and knew we must go back for another day.

Today when we arrived at the park, we walked to the Lower Circuit which took about 2 hours, walking from falls to falls. We basically walked along the bottom of the falls that we had walked over the day before. Both of us took a lot of photos and we will post them soon once we get to Salta in a few days.

Today we also took a boat tour of the falls. The boats stopped for us to be able to take photos but then we were told to put away our cameras. The engine reved. Amber screamed and held my hand very tightly. The boat surged forward straight towards the waterfalls. It drove so closely that the water was POURING into our boat, drenching us from head to toe. At that point we had to gasp for our breath as there was so much mist and water hitting our faces that we could barely breathe. The boat pulled out and we thought it was over. Then it surged forward again and drove towards the Devil's Throat. We were so freaked out!! My heart lept and before we knew it we were right next to it, getting drenched from the falls. I told Amber to look up as we were at the bottom of the cascading water, but all she could see (out of fear) was a giant rapid in the water. The boat smashed into the deep rapids, no matter the size, soaking us over and over again. It was as if we were on a physchotic rollercoaster in the water. In the middle of the Amazon. Somewhere between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. (Amber wants you all to know her pants are still drying off their Brazilian water.)

Moms, sorry we didn't tell you. We didn't realize how crazy it was until we were on the boat! It wasn't the most dangerous road in the world, this was WAYYYY more fun!!

By far, Iguazú Falls has been the best part of our trip. We are still so amazed by everything we saw over the last two days. I whole-heartedly hope that all of you would be lucky enough to experience the pure joy and beauty we have experienced over the last two days in the jungle here. This is an amazing place that more people should have the opportunity to see. I'm still in awe of the environment and its perfection of paradise. It will be very hard to experience something that will top our adventure over the last two days.

We are incredibly happy to have spent two days at such a great place. We had to eventually pry ourselves from the park and head back to, what I hope, is the worst hostel of our trip. The walls in the bathroom and near our beds are covered in mold from all the moisture in this city. I cannot wait until we leave tomorrow. This is such a crappy, crappy hostel. BLECH!! A 23-hour-long bus ride seems like a great time in comparison to staying here another hour! (Its a good thing the falls were so great or the crappy hostel would put anyone in a bad mood!)

Well we're our way to Salta before you all wake up tomorrow. We are off to find food and then to get some sleep (as it wont be happening too much on tomorrow's bus ride).

Much love,
Katie and Amber