Foz do Iguaçu

The Brazil side of the falls was perhaps not as large as the Argentine side, but the vistas were just as breath-taking. Foz do Iguacu is known for being the more panoramic side.
Unfortunately, I picked a rainy day to cross the border. A rainy Sunday to be more exact. And of course on Sundays the buses only run once every hour and lo and behold the bus dropped us off at the immigration office and drove away. Thanks for waiting for us. Thanks. It was just me, a girl from Ireland, and a guy from England waiting in the rain for the next bus that would come in hour to go to the bus station to catch another bus that would leave in another hour. Great. We eventually decided to all chip in for a taxi that would take us right to the falls. That was a smart decision that we probably should have made 20 minutes earlier.


All the hassle was definitely worth it. I ended up meeting a really cool person who had lived in Pennsylvania for some years and now works as a insurance investigator in Brazil. He was really interesting to talk to, and I think he wanted to practice his English so we ended up getting coffee, which led to a little tour of the city, which led to a scrumptious dinner at a soup buffet. I have found Brazilians to be very friendly people.


And Brazilian landscapes? Can't beat those.

Fulbright Seminar

Our regional enhancement seminar was amazing. We met up with other Fulbright ETAs in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil to share with one another our experiences. After spending two nights in Sao Paulo we took a bus to Barra de Sahy, part of the town, São Sebastião, 161 km away from São Paulo. This resort is likely the most beautiful place I have ever been in my entire life. The beaches were spectacular.


One morning we took a boat ride to a small island and spent the day basking in the Brazilian sun. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

The food at the Aldeia de Sahy was great too. Tables of papaya, mango, fresh greens, seafood, meat, squash, beans, coffee, fruit juices, flan and more. Mmmmm.

Live music and dancing almost every evening. A little samba here, a little forró there. Throw in a little capoeira, and all of the sudden you realize that Brazilians really like their dancing!

I got the opportunity to chat with a Brazilian woman who was super intriguing. Fortunately she spoke some English and could explain to me what globalization meant for her and her village.


They put us up in cute little bungalow houses, but one night I attempted to sleep in the hammock hanging in the front porch. That endeavor was a little less than successful. I lasted about 2 hours. But, darn it, you can't say I didn't try!

Sao Paulo

Just got back after a week in beautiful Brazil for a our regional enhancement seminar.


It was amazing to say the least! I loved meeting all the other Fulbright ETAs and getting inspired about what to bring back with me to Uruguay.

First we spent two nights in Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America, the fourth largest in the world. The cityscape from the plane flying in was quite impressive. Skyscrapers in every direction which would be expected from a city of more than 17 million people, I suppose. The first night we were there we ate a restaurant that served endless meat that waiters brought around to you on enormous skewers. Gluttony. That is the only word to describe such a meal.


While in the city we also got a chance to visit Jardim da Luz Park and the Pinacoteca Art Museum that had a special exhibit by the painter Fernand Leger. I enjoy his work.


It just so happened that the night we decided to stay in downtown Sao Paulo was the same day as the world's largest gay pride parade. While we didn't actually see the parade, we did see the aftermath. There were, um, interesting characters out and about on the streets. I was too afraid to take out my camera, but I did catch a shot of the riot control police trying to crowd after the event. My first taste of Brazil was errrr, hard to describe. If you want to know more ask me.

Trip to Uruguay's Capital

I just got back from a trip to Montevideo to apply for a visa to Brazil.


Next month we have a regional seminar in Sao Paulo, but we have to have visas to enter the country. The fee for American citizens seems to be much higher than residents of other countries. Booo. What's up with that? Wouldn't countries want to encourage tourism from the US, and thus not charge more than $160 plus the hassle of getting the visa? I suppose the visa either does not discourage much US travel to Brazil, or they make enough off the visas to make up for the lost revenue otherwise.


Nevertheless, I enjoyed being in Montevideo. It made me excited for when I will move to there in almost a month now. It will quite a change to move from a city with a population of 100,000 to one with a population of 1.3 million. I imagine leaving Salto will be bittersweet experience. I have to make the most of every day that I have left in this little place.