Seven Wonders

So. Iguazu Falls. It's one of the seven natural wonders of the world (I mean, I didn't confirm that, but I'm just assuming). I think I read it on the Internet once, and the Internet never lies. Anyway... this fun fact has inspired me to make my own list.

The Seven Wonders of this Day

1. International breakfast buffets: stir-fry chicken? With a side of Fruit Loops? Absolutely.

2. Teresa the cab driver. We laughed, we cried, we mostly chuckled at each other, not understanding a single word of each other's language, but music has no language barrier. We carpool karaoked the daylights out of Four Non-Blondes. She couldn't understand why she was dropping us off at the crack of dawn when the park didn't open until 8, and we couldn't understand how she could just trust us to pay her "despues", at the end of the day on the second leg of a round trip fee. But I'll tell you what we DID understand. She knew what I meant when I crossed my fingers and said, "No coatis."

3. Being first. First in line for tickets, first in line for admission, first in line for the train. Being first had its perks. One guy practically on the graveyard shift (we were THAT early... I think. I couldn't check the time because my eyes were still burning) took us in the park early to see the toucans. Then we got kicked out and had to wait with the rest of the Falls-goers.

4. Garganta de Diablo (again, not looking it up to confirm name)... the Devil's Throat, the big kahuna of Iguazu Falls waterfalls ("saltas", as we say south of the Equator). We got off the train in the park and walked 1000m across metal bridge thingees (technical term) until we arrived at the most breathtaking amazingness.

5. Waterproof phone cases. The world's greatest invention since the Snuggie. No crazy mist coming from the saltas could slow us down.

6. The fast food market. You guys. That place was my fortress of safety from the killer coatis that were everywhere in the food court. We are talking jumping on tables, stalking men, women, and children, etc. The place was TEEMING and what did those little monsters want? Food. I heard the "3 empanadas for 75 pesos" special was their favorite... which happened to be in my backpack. Shandon and Tracy walked right through that battlefield, because NOTHING was going to keep them from the Lower Loop Trail. Me? If I had a sleeping bag, pretty sure the inside of that market is where you would find me to this day.

7. Argentinian enthusiasm. Remember how everyone clapped when the plane landed the other day? Turns out that is a favorite hobby of theirs. We went on the nautical tour, which means put everything in a dry bag and ride under a waterfall or two. After every bit of excitement, there was a round of applause. By round two and three, we could have passed for locals... clapping, yelling, "¡Mas! ¡Mas!"

In all, it was a glorious day of hiking and admiring... and coati and iguana panicking. Teresa picked us up and, lo and behold, that government tax thing is real. We had to show our passes to government officials on the main highway. In case you are curious, wearing your seatbelt is the law in Argentina. If you ever forget this law, don't worry. The government official who checks your tax pass will not let your vehicle through until each passenger has shown a fully clicked seatbelt. Just saying.