Iguazu Falls

You’re looking down past the metal walkway  under you feet, peering over the edge of an incredible 80 meter high waterfall, watching as enough water surge by to make quite a few fish happy. So, if its the Director of Water Brigades, who’s standing there with you, what are you doing? Dropping leaves into the river to estimate the flow rate. Which is why hanging out with a such a water engineer leads to the instantaneous answering of questions such as ‘how much water do you think is here’ actually being answered. I dont remember exactly what it was. But a lot of water. Like a lot, a lot. Thats the technical definition. I would explain it, but you know, space here is sort of limited.

So my best friend from Honduras came to visit (Ben I love you!) and, because one of his absolute favorite things in the world is waterfalls, well, of course we would have to go check out Iguazu Falls. I feel that I have been pretty privileged in my life to see some really beautiful places, but this really was one of the most outstanding places I have ever been. There are some 275 waterfalls, which stretch out over close to 3km. And the fact that its surrounded by a national park, means its lush and green, In sharp contrast to Niagara falls, which has the just great views of Madam Tussuad’s Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and a whole strip of greasy fast food places, bars and night clubs (Although to be fair, there still where the same hordes of tourists). But Iguazu was really so amazing, and as clishe as it is to say it, pictures just dont do it justice.

IT was not all a tranquil walk in the park, however. Little did we know the park was full of coatis, sort of a cousin of the raccoon, who are not afraid of people at all, but rather have learned that people are a fantastic source of chips, french fries, or in our case, Sunchips. We had been warned not to feed them, but me and my other friend, Britt (and great photographer) are just watching them sniff our bags, trying to get the perfect picture of their cute little faces. Then the attack happened.

Cleverly looking sweet and innocent, he casually walks up, then leaps up, bear-hugging that just-opened-bag, grabbing it out from Britt’s fingers and tearing off into the woods, angry park ranger in chase. We sheepishly tried to explain we hadnt been feeding them, but still had a few dirty looks.

The whole time in the park, i was amazed by these crazy birds, the Great Dusky Swift. They literally dive straight through the waterfall, tucking their wings in tight to reach the wall behind the water, where they use spit to attach their nests the rock safe from predators.  It was so fascinating to watch them, because the water seemed way too powerful to be able to make it, but back and forth they went.

Here’s one last pic, which is still not even the complete falls, have to say it again, such an amazing place.