El fin de semana

It is Monday morning, and I am at school, waiting for a language class to begin so thought I dash off a few lines.

On Saturday morning, Monica and I were waiting at the bus stop to go to the Falls, when we changed our plans, raced home, picked up passports and Reales, and caught a bus to Brazil to do a spot of shopping instead. We had the maddest Brazilian bus driver ever born I think. He had one speed, flat tack, didn´t slow down for corners, and acted as though he was the only one who should be on the road . He used the horn constantly and several times I thought the bus was going to flip over when we were going round a corner. One the way he turned off into the depot for his bus company and had a quick service on the bus, while we were all sitting there!! Monica and I wondered what on earth was going on. Never again, Argentinean Collectivos from now on!

Plus it was twice as expensive as a Collectivo (bus from Iguazu). There were a family of native Indians on the bus too. They didn´t have to get off the bus or show any papers at the border, I guess they don´t have papers to show. One girl had a baby, and she looked about 12!

We did the rounds of the shops, bought a few little bits and pieces, very mindful of my luggage weight going back to Buenos Aires. We had a very sedate ride home in a Collectivo from Argentina.

Later Monday afternoon:
Sunday morning saw us up bright and early and back at the bus stop, this time waiting for the bus to Las Cataratas. We arrived at the park at around 8.30am and checked out the main building where they have pictures, history and flora and fauna on display.
Then we started to walk, and walk, and walk, and walk some more, in fact all day until we left around 2.30pm. The way the park is set out with paths everywhere, including a miniture train is fantastic. What can I say about the falls; they are truely worthy of the name 'a natural wonder of the world'. If you ever get the chance to visit, it is well and truely an awesome sight. Makes Huka Falls look like a water pistol.. These falls just go on and on and you can get so close on the walkways. Because it has been raining so much here lately, we could't visit the island as there was no where for the boats to land, the beaches were all covered in metres of water. The day was rather overcast to begin with and deteriorated as the day progressed. We ended up being very wet and rather cold but exhilarated! At one point we went out onto a very wet, slippery platform to have a photo taken nearly under one of the main waterfalls. What fun!
Mind you, today I woke with a sore throat and the beginnings of a cold!
On our way back to the entrance we saw some monkeys and a large spider which Monica tells me was a baby! Big enough for me! I have photos! there were not many birds about and the tocans fly in and out at dawn and dusk along with most of the other wildlife. We checked out the Sheraton Hotel and that certainly would be the place to stay, as it overlooks the falls and you have a fantastic view 24\7.
We arrived home just as it started to rain and it hasn't stopped really. Today we had the most amazing thunder and lightening. All the lights at school kept going off much to the delight of the students. It is calm at the moment so I will make a dash for home.
Hasta luego
Viv