Standing on the edge, at the Falls of Iguazu, I am in awe. It is much larger than I ever thought it could be. Thinking back on my trip to Niagara Falls as a kid, I thought IT was big… This wonder of nature is a stunningly expansive waterscape of something else entirely! The sound, rhythm, and force swept me in. To think that this water runs continually whether I am here or not is an illuminating thought.
Puerto Iguazu is not like any tourist town you are used to, and the subtropical rain-forest that surrounds it maintains the awe and beauty of the province of Misiones, Argentina. I think most vacationers who arrive in Iguazu from North America may be stunned at how small the town is. Though it caters to so many tourist every year it still maintains its Argentinian charm. The locals are super friendly and I am sure you could easily find yourself sitting in one of their homes, drinking mate, if you really wanted to.
Being an avid thrill seeker I of course had to wander off the beaten path. Since jumping of the observation deck into La Garganta del Diablo, (the Devil’s Throat), was out of the question, I had to find alternatives.
Parque Iguazu is huge; so to see all the highlights you need a full day. Since the park offers a 50% discount on the next day return visit, we decided to venture down the “trail less trekked” the following day. Sendero Macuco is a 3km hike through the forest to a small water fall where you can swim, relax and get away from the tourist. I was more than ready to jump in. But this is only one of the few hidden treasures in Parque & Puerto Iguazu. As I discovered, just a few yards off main street in town, there are a number of hidden streams and waterfalls. Just follow the “hippie” locals if you have any doubts.
Now, everything I read online suggested that I HAD to go to Brazil to really appreciate the falls. Even though I enjoyed Brazil, you could skip it and still feel the full effect. For that reason they say Brazil has the view but Argentina has the falls.
The exotic bird park, (Das Aves), on the Brazilian side is also worth a visit… The thing I noticed about being in Brazil for my first time was the cars. A LOT of people drive supped-up hot rods like they stole them from the set of Fast and Furious. “Asi son los Brasileros”, Mariana told me.
At the falls, I was reminded of God’s power. As Mariana and I both marveled at the force of the water, she mentioned something her school teacher had told the students on her class trip there as a child. “The water is symbol of God’s never ending powerful love”.
Swept away by time, determination, relationships, defeat & victory… running up to the edge of my understanding, facing a long drop and sometimes falling over; I forget to enjoy the sights. I try to manage outcomes in my life. It would be nice if we could do that, but unfortunately we cannot. Fighting God’s will, (fate, destiny, whatever you like to call it), is futile. Just like trying to swim away from an impending drop over the waterfall. Further upstream it is calm; I can hang out, feel safe and catch fish but if I really want to experience the rush and thrill of life sometimes I have to quit fighting the current and be swept away by the power and majesty.
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