Iguazu

The thunderous clamor of the water hitting up against the moss-covered rocks, was contradictory in nature to the whimsical flutter of the butterflies that encompassed the park. It was captivating how something so serene and something so tumultuous could coexist and intertwine to create one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Iguazu Falls is nothing less then amazing, from its various small water outlets, to its incredible wildlife to “La Garganta del Diablo”, this natural wonder is something that should never be taken for granted.

I embarked on a 20-hour journey from Retiro all the way to Puerto Iguazu in the providence of Misiones. In most instances any sane person probably would have gone mad, however I was fortunate to have good company and cheap wine to adroit my woes. Upon arrival I noticed that Puerto Iguazu is a relatively calm and quaint town. The inhabitants are friendly with the tourists and the “center” is nothing more then about 8 blocks. I was actually quite relieved of this fact actually, I felt as though I needed a tranquil sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires.The youth hostel was also a highlight of the trip. The various friendly faces (some where more welcomed then others) that joined our small trope of adventurers lightened the mood and added to the unique atmosphere.

The actual day of our hike to Igauzu started off early in the morning. The sun was still a bit tepid, however that changed throughout the day. We wandered into the national park and engaged in 3 activities: a safari, a “cruise” underneath the waterfalls, and a ride on a “train” to La Garganta del Diablo”. The safari was a bust and a complete waste of funds and time. All we were able to see on this grand adventure was a couple of trees and some vultures. However, the escapade underneath a waterfall was actually quite riveting. The captain of the boat took us against the choppy waters of the current and pushed us into one of the smaller waterfalls of the park. Though it was small it was still quite exciting and worthwhile. The train ride occurred during the end of the day. I believed that I had seen the whole park and that this last leg of the trip was nothing more then another tourist trap, much like the Safari. Thank God I was wrong. La Garganta del Diablo was a magnificent scene, and I do not think anything could have prepared me for what I was about to witness. As I passed along the thin metal bridge that led the way, I couldn’t help to be hypnotized by the placid river that fed the falls.

The wildlife that fluttered about and swam through the current was simple yet pleasant. Then all of a sudden the calm of the passage was interrupted by an increasing sound in the distance. As I approached the sound ever more anxious, I was astounded at what I saw. The shear power of nature’s wrath was beautifully captured in Iguazu. Many go there not knowing what to expect, but all leave knowing that they have seen a masterpiece created by the wonders of nature, which where slowly and meticulously carved by the hands of time.

More pictures of Iguazu Falls
http://gallery.me.com/lopezjo/100032

Mendoza

Mendoza is most noted for it’s exceptional vineyards that are found just a few minutes outside the city. With it’s arid climate and antiquated irrigation system, the city of Mendoza is ideal for the creation of some of the best wine in the Americas and around the world. The vineyards come in all shapes and sizes. From the small family run establishment that only produces about 10,000 bottles a year to the more commercial institutions that produce about 300,000 bottles.

On my trip to Mendoza I was fortunate enough to visit a couple of vineyards by bicycle. As my friends and I passed by the beaten dirt path of Maipui, we could not help but smile as the sun’s rays stretched out through the Alamos and onto the flat terrain. The scenery was absolutely spectacular, and it was quite easy to get lost in the beauty of it all. The next day I boarded a bus with my friends and we took a small excursion to Puente de Inca and Cristo Retendor.

I was impressed by the vineyards but nothing could prepare me for the natural splendor of the mountains that surround the city. The mixture of different colors, geological surfaces and fauna was magnificent. As the sun began to rise the hues of the boulders began to change and soon I was staring at nature’s true beauty. As our group made it to the top of Cristo el Retendor, the temperature dropped. It turns out we were a couple thousand meters above sea level. Regardless, of the cold mountain chill that penetrated my flimsy sweater I was in a constant state of awe. Perhaps it was the thin atmosphere and lack of oxygen, but I felt a certain sense of spiritual calm as I was on top of the mountain. As the tourists scattered like ants to pose with the backdrop of Christ the Redeemer, I found myself alone wandering aimlessly where I shouldn’t have been. As I stared off into the distance, I glared directly at the peak of Aconcagua. It was at that moment that there was silence. No tourists, no tour guide, no motor running, no shuttering of the camera. Just the wind sternly brushing against my body and the quiet calm of the mountain. I could have died right then and there and I would have been happy. My brief experience with Nirvana quickly came to the screeching halt when my friends found me and told me we had to leave.

We soon found ourselves on a bus to Puente de Inca, or better said a tourist trap in the middle of no where. At one point in time it was an upscale hotel and thermal bath, but due to seismic activity everything collapsed and nothing but a church, rubble and large calcium deposits dominate the panorama. The Argentineans are able to capitalize on this “natural wonder” by having placed several artisan stands and a museum by the Puente. I was not taken aback. I took a couple of shots and went back to the bus that would take me back to the hostel.

Check out the pictures I took while I was at Mendoza:
http://gallery.me.com/lopezjo/100018

La Boca

Al sur de Buenos Aires, a seis o siete kilómetros del centro de la ciudad, a lo largo de la orilla de un pequeño río canalizado en cierta extensión y que se llama Riachuelo, extiéndese La Boca, un barrio o mejor dicho un suburbio vastísimo de la población. Está separado de la ciudad solo por una extensa faja de terreno poblada por algunas casas esparcidas: la comunicación es cómoda, fácil, rápida, continua, por tramway y por ferro-carril; y sin embargo tiene un carácter tan diferente, tan especial, que parece estar á cincuenta millas de distancia. Muchos, hasta en Buenos Aires, hablan de la Boca como si hablasen de otra ciudad, no de un barrio que está á dos pasos de la gran plaza.

-Aníbal Latino

The barrio of La Boca is located in the southeast corner of the city Buenos Aires. La Boca is a tough, resilient working class barrio whose inhabitants fiercely support their local soccer team the Boca Juniors. The streets of Boca are intertwined with a vibrant melody of colors and sounds that create a truly a unique experience. As I walked the narrow pathways of the lyric Caminito. amongst other tourists, my eyes where fixated at the various pastel hues that dominated the architecture. I was in truly in awe as I gazed upon the multitude of magnificent sculptures alongside jagged pathway. The artistic pieces ranged from size and type, some such as “La mama y su hijo” where somber and touching and others such as “La Raza” exuded a sense of vigilance and ferocity. Promenading through the different tones of red, green and blue and past the aged tango dancers of yesteryear I found myself in a more solemn part of Boca. The colors had faded, the people had vanished and a shade of grayish simplicity overcame the boulevard I walked on. However, what was was lacking in people and color was substituted by a glorious aroma of parillas y choripan. Choripan is in essence a spiced sausage between a roll of Italian or French bread. It is usually sold near the soccer stadium or at the futbol stadium themselves. Choripan at a futbol game is the Argentinean version of hot dogs at a baseball. Being a creature of divine taste I decided to try and select which “restaurant” best suited my needs. I choose one that had chairs and the least amount of stray dogs. :) For 5 pesos I enjoyed a delectable meal of spiced and peppered pig intestines, while many will take that as a sign of sarcasm I mean it with the utmost sincerity.

Soon after my appetizing meal, which my American Currency cost me about 1.40, I decided to head back to the Boca Junior stadium. As I made my way to the stadium the silence that permeated through the streets of Boca where disrupted by the thunderous clamor of drums and and screams. I peered my head through a small alley-way and saw a sea blue and yellow engulf the tapered boulevards. The police where everywhere not trying to arrest people, but calmly letting the fans into the stadium. What amazed me was the religious fervor these worshippers had as they made their weekly pilgrimage into the most hallowed of grounds. Never in the states had I seen such zeal and diligence for a sport team. All in all everything that day was indeed “quite a sight”.

Check out the pictures I took while I was at La Boca
http://gallery.me.com/lopezjo/100009

Belgrano

I live in the barrio known as ‘Belgrano’. It is a quiet upper-middle class barrio bordering the ever hectic Palermo. On any given day one can walk down the narrow streets of Belgrano and find that is filled with residential homes, artisan bakeries and appetizing restaurants. The barrio has it’s certain suburban appeal that the rest of the city lacks.

As one walks down the La Avenida del Libertador to Arribeños, one encounters Buenos Aires’ growing Barrio Chino. Now I was taken aback the first day I arrived in Buenos Aires, not so much due to distinct cultural differences, moreover due to the fact that I had never seen so many Anglo-looking people speaking Spanish. Being of Salvadoran decent and growing up in the states the majority of Spanish speakers are/were mestizo.

However, due to intense immigration policies during the 19th century Buenos Aires had a large influx of European immigrants, thus creating a large white population. Now imagine, I’m taken aback by light colored people speaking Spanish, imagine how taken aback I am when I see a five year old Chinese boy screaming “Che, Boludo!”,at the top of his lungs. It was quite a sight. Nonetheless, that is what I really do admire about Buenos Aires, it’s diversity. Though it doesn’t seem as though BsAs is very diverse the fact of the matter is when you begin to think about the Spanish, French, English, Italian, Czech, Muslim, Jewish and Chinese presence here, it does end up being quite a melting pot. In other words, BsAs is diverse in its own distinct manner.
I must attest that the random graffiti that plagues the ‘would be beautiful’ residential architecture is quite distressing to a certain degree. The graffiti is not political in any manner, nor is it a sign of gang ‘turf’ (thankfully). Instead the graffiti is just a straight declaration of love (Te quiero Maria, por siempre. de tu querido Julio) or some random word/phrase that lacks any meaning. In any case I’m very happy in my neighborhood and I think with time I can grow fond of the random graffiti. I can do without all the dog shit though...

Check out the pictures I took of Belgrano:
http://gallery.me.com/lopezjo/100017

Di Tella a.k.a. Escuela de Hijo de !@#$%

Orientation for the Intercambio Program at Di Tella was today. The orientation itself was quite informative and it was a relief to become better aquatinted with some American student alongside some International students. All of the students where incredibly welcoming and charming. The students at Di Tella are another story. There are no better adjectives to describe these group of students other then, snobbish and pompous. It appears that because they are the bourgeoisie of Argentina, that they are somehow direct decedents of God and their shit doesn’t stink. Many of my colleagues and a few workers at IES would agree or have agreed with my statement. I’m sure not all of the students at Di Tella are this way, but the ones I have encountered have definitely portrayed this notion of elitism. Nonethless, Di Tella seems like a fine institution and the professors seem quite open and engaging.

Recién Llegado

So after about 18-20 hours on a plane I’m finally at my home-stay. My host mother who is pretty much the cutest and sweetest thing on this continent made me some food. She ended up conjuring deli meats, condiments and bread alongside something called “Vendi-Creme”. It didn’t turn out half bad. I’m going go sleep for a good day or so. I have class in the morning.