Week 3

We continue on our great adventure through Argentine culture; one experience was a delectable lunch at Oro & Candido. We explored a variety of foods of this country's origin. We started with baguettes, local hare, and lamb and mushroom empanadas. Then came along the alligator kabob severed with peppers and paprika dip. Next was sweet water fish croquettes. In addition to this rare meal came llama then to BBQ ostrich with vegetables. To top it off, came a special dessert of handmade cheese, spaghetti squash jam, and sugar can syrup. This whole meal expanded our minds as well as our taste buds. Our guest speaker and restaurant owner discussed with us the history of each dish, which unveiled the mystery of how it came to be on our plate. For example one of the vegetarian dishes was a delicious serving of quinoa and the story behind the grain. Quinoa was once very abundant throughout Argentina and an important source of nutrients for Amerindians. When the Spanish began to colonize Argentina, they learned the importance of quinoa as a sustainable source of food and destroyed the fields to gain the Amerindians dependence of Spanish imports. Today Spain is the number one exporter of quinoa in the world. This extravagant meal was delicious and insightful to Argentine culture.

Leaving behind the bright lights and tall buildings of the city behind us we embark on our journey into the vast countryside and onto Iguazu Falls. 18 hours later we arrive exhausted, yet excited to unveil the mystery of our new surroundings. After settling in to our hostel, we set forth into the jungle on tractor ride to the animal rescue and rehabilitation center. We meet Roy and he shows us the animals that have entered their facilities. Just to name a few of the animals we meet are tropical birds, eagles, and a new monkey friend. We head out of the jungle and into the city of Iguazu. All of us stand at the crossroads of three different countries: Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina all divided by a fork a river. Then have a grand dinner with a show. The following morning we arise early to get a head start to on our day at Iguazu Falls National Park. Our first encounter of the waterfalls was by boat, and we flew through the rapids and dove beneath the waterfalls. After drying off the group proceeded by train to the Garganta Del Diablo (the devil's throat). We walked above the river and reached the heart of the falls. This magnificent sight made us ponder of the power and beauty of these endless waterfalls. We continued our adventure through the upper, middle, and lower trails of the park. We saw the waterfalls at every angle and each time we were reminded of the unbelievable force of Iguazu.We left this mind blowing environment and headed back to town to enjoy a night at our hostel. We topped off this amazing day with a BBQ and Brazilian show which was held for us and our international friends.

Our last day of Iguazu we head to Irapuca, a small village crafted by wood, shows us the third world view of Argentina which we had not experienced. We relaxed and swam before heading back to Buenos Aires by bus. The long bus trip gave us time to rest and reflect on our amazing adventure.

This past week has opened our minds and taste buds to new experiences of a foreign culture which has created everlasting memories.

Authors: David Ibarra and Larissa Durkin