Tranquilo

Wednesday, June 14th, 2006

Our last couple of days here has been a bit weird. Well, not weird-weird, but a bit unusual. First of all, we had a little miscommunication when we were leaving the Pantanal. Our bus tickets out were supposed to be included in the price, but the bus driver knew nothing of it, and so we had to pay again. Now, up to this point, it all sounds just like typical South America, and a “little miscommunication” means you aint’ seeing your money again. Nevertheless, we came back to Campo Grande to at least try to shame it out of Gil – the man who sold us the tour. At the bus station, where his office was, Shurik stayed with the bags, and I, in my battle mode, searched for Gil. I finally found him, but before I had the chance to open my mouth, he said: “I owe you money!” Confused, all I did was nod.

Tags: nature
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Brazil!!!

Thursday, June 1st, 2006

Oh my god! We are in a foreign country and don’t understand a thing everyone is saying. I know, I know. This is how it’s supposed to be, but we already got so accustomed to Spanish, it pains to give it all up just like that. It’s actually not that horrible – Portuguese and Spanish have a lot in common, but it’s also quite frustrating when you know it’s there, but you can’t find it. It sounds like Polish people speaking Spanish. I now understand why back in Cambridge people kept asking us if we were speaking Portuguese, when we were speaking Russian amongst ourselves.

Tags: nature
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Igua-Zoo

Wednesday, May 31st, 2006

She came to us the very first night we spent here, in Puerto Iguazu, and stayed for five days. She came through our rooms window, as she probably done many times before, and we didn’t chase her away as she was so soft and obedient. We let her sleep in the same bed as us and she did, for the whole five nights, purring like a tractor which, by the way, was very soothing.

Tags: nature
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Houston, we have a problem

Sunday, May 21st, 2006

Let me tell you how it usually is – We reach a place, an amazing place, where nature is grander than life and so beautifully amazing no camera in the world can possibly capture and express what our eyes are seeing. Usually, I feel extremely lucky, but at the same time saddened I cannot fully share my experience with everybody else; but this time I can honestly say that seeing the pictures is more enjoyable than the actual visit.

Tags: nature
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The simple life

Wednesday, May 17th, 2006

Never thought I’d hear myself say this, but I have grown tired of big cities. If you know me, you must know that I always spoke of NY, for example, as of a kindred spirit and portrayed myself always as a city girl mortified by suburbs. Now though, while I still cringe at the idea of living in a suburban area, I also must admit that after shlepping around Argentina’s Mendoza and Chile’s Santiago for a few days, I’m ready to move on to a less crowded area where most roads are dirt roads, and where I don’t have to clench my handbag every time I go outside.
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Tags: art, nature
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7 Lakes Road Trip

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006

Ah, the Seven Lakes. See now in the Bolivian Salar there were lakes – red ones, green ones, even white ones. But here, lakes are lakes. Beautiful, serene, surrounded by volcanoes, but still not very exciting lakes. Maybe by now we are just simply spoiled and it is impossible to see so many incredible sites and still keep ooh-ing and aah-ing about every puddle and bush. Or may be we just didn’t have the right viewpoint, I don’t know. In and case, I really don’t think there is a chance we will get bored from the world any time soon. Knowing it, there is a view around the corner that is sure to stop us in our treks.

Six people, five Israelis, one car. It is a miracle we all came out of it alive. I bet it was largely due to Hen and Keren’s vow of silence (they must have taken one, otherwise how can one stay so quiet for so long!). They did opened up a bit though, just enough for us to find out that Keren has a frantic fear of vegetables, or more accurately those of them which are “wet and colorful”, and Hen cannot possibly go a day without calling home. Her mother’s problem, more then hers, I think.

Most of the time was obviously spent in the car. We stopped often, stretching our legs but mostly fooling around on the view points to the lakes. We tried to stop and go on a few short hikes a few times, but each time it resulted in us finding a good picnic place and setting up camp for a few hours after which no one felt like going anywhere else. In addition, out of nowhere, I got sick with the flu and for a day and a half was feverish and absolutely miserable.

Tags: nature
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