Mis Aventuras: 5

¡Hola todos!

So many exciting things have happened since my last update! Let's start with my three day trip to Iguazú with API, about a 2 hour plane ride from Buenos Aires. Upon arriving to the city, we visited a wildlife refuge for injured animals. We traveled via car as well as walked through the rainforest learning about the different animals and why they were in the refuge. That evening, as the sun set, we went to La Triple Frontera, the location where one can see Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. It was a beautiful evening! Despite being in Iguazú, I had not forgotten about the Final Four game against Ohio State! Luckily, our hotel had ESPN, so Sarah and Max came to my and Rebecca's room to watch the nail biting game.

Left: Paraguay Right: Brazil

Sunday we spent the day at the Iguazú Falls. They were stunning! There is a reason why they are one of the seven wonders of the world! The Falls are located in a large park with plenty of cafes and walking paths close by. So during the afternoon, we walked through what we were told was one of the best kept secrets in Iguazú -- they were not joking. We walked through a rainforest for 7 miles where we encountered wild monkeys, until we eventually arrived at a small waterfall and natural pool where we cooled ourselves off. Once leaving there, several of us spent a few extra pesos to take a boat ride and actually go into the falls, which was thoroughly enjoyed after a long, hot day of walking at least 20 miles.

On Monday, before flying back to Buenos Aires, we lounged by the pool at the hotel, soaking up some last minute rays. Upon landing back in the big city Sarah, Rebecca, and I split a taxi again and were dropped off at a corner which is about in the middle of us all. During my ten minute walk home, there were lots of police, television cameras, and bricks in the road, something I thought was a little out of the ordinary. Anyway, after walking in the front door, my host mother looked terrified as she was watched the news about protest groups targeting the British Embassy with rocks and pellet guns as it was the anniversary of the Falklands. The Embassy is just a mere three blocks from my apartment and I made it home just in time before the group started migrating to the road that I was just walking on five minutes beforehand. Needless to say, I was American for the remaining five hours of the evening. That night, Rebecca, Sarah, and I went to a bar in Palermo to watch the championship game. The fancy place filled with lovey, dovey couples soon changed into an American sports bar after a group of American boys from my university came in to watch the game with us. It was a very sad loss, but they did far better than anybody ever thought they would, so no complaints from me! Rock Chalk!

On Tuesday and Wednesday we had classes, and on Wednesday evening the girls and I left for wine country! Night buses are very popular here, and far cheaper than a flight, so we opted to take the 16 hour route. Sadly, the trip did not start out on a high note: first I had forgotten the chocolate bar in the fridge (biggest mistake every with three females), Sarah got her phone stolen in the packed bus station, and finally the bus arrived four hours late. When the bus finally arrived, our schedule was put behind even more by sitting in standstill traffic for several hours. So, instead of arriving at 9AM we arrived at 5PM. You could say that we were a little frustrated that we were a day behind!! Hostels are also very popular in South America and Europe, and much cheaper than a hotel, so last weekend was my first hostel experience! I think we had a very poor experience... Call me a brat but I was rather mindblown when I was handed linens to make my own bed upon arrival, informed that we had to wash our own dishes (which they did not supply dish soap for), and there was only one key for three different parties in one room so essentially the door could never be locked. Sadly, I am now paying for the lack of sanitization in the kitchen with the dishes as I have been ill since Friday with a horrible cough and cold.

After the first rough night with a very uncomfortable pillow, we spent Friday on a biking wine tour. Mr. Hugo's Bike Co. gave us a glass of wine, a bike, and a map of 12ish wineries -- a majority of wineries actually included homemade/grown olive oils, jams, and chocolates. We arrived at our first winery around 11AM and continued biking around to various other places until 7PM. It was a very long day, but very enjoyable. Note: nobody was injured during this event.On Saturday we got a little more adventurous and spent the day zip-lining and white water rafting through the Andes. It was an amazing day! The weather was perfect and the views were fantastic!!

Sunday was our last day in Mendoza. We purposely booked our bus to leave in the early evening to allow us time to relax and tour the city a bit before heading back to the big city. What we did not consider was that Sunday was Easter and living in a Roman Catholic country nothing was open. Everywhere was dead. But do not worry, three girls can be easily entertained spending seven hours at the bus station with a deck of cards and multiple bars!! It was a fantastic trip and we all enjoyed ourselves very much!

I have been quite busy in school this week. I know, many wonder whether I am actually in school here in BA. It is not all fun and games..well, okay mostly it is! I had my first exam and two presentations, which I think all went well, fingers crossed!

This weekend I do not have anything exciting planned, unlike my last two weeks, but there are plenty of things to do around Buenos Aires! The following weekend API is taking us to Uruguay for the day! I will update next time with our adventures from there! ¡Hasta luego!