“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
…turning the corner, one of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders revealed itself and I was in awe. Iguazu Falls, nestled in the northeastern portion of Argentina, is a world-class collection of 275 of the most breathtaking waterfalls one could ever see.
From Dos Hermanas and Salto Pequeno to Garganta de Diablo (The Devil’s Throat), your eyes are treated to a tropical playground where pumas, jaguars, toucans and giant vultures roam free, while your ears are flooded with the sounds of millions of gallons of rushing water plunging and slapping the rocks below. And your body is treated to a fresh coat of welcoming mist, helping to cool you down from the sun above.
It is all at once overwhelming, but in the same sense, calming. Knowing that places like these exist on earth is comforting. Other than a few mud roads and tourist buildings, Iguazu Falls is an untouched jewel.
Here are a few of more photos, along with a slideshow below.
“A handshake and a sip of wine, So say it loud and let it ring, We are all a part of everything, The future, present and the past, Fly on proud bird, You’re free at last.”[Charlie Daniels: written en route to the funeral for his friend, Ronnie Van Zant of the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.]
The giant sarcophagi of La Recoleta Cemetery are amazing and astonishing. Some of Buenos Aires’ most famous and wealthy citizens are buried within its walls. Walking down the aisles among these privileged few is almost like watching an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous… only you start to say “I see dead people.”
From Evita, war generals and politicians to the upper echelon of high society businessman (and women), this cemetery is not only the place to be buried, but also the place to be seen.
Lined as if they were part of a downtown parade, the monuments use their life-sized angels, gigantic mosques and architectural genius to wave at the gawking touristas as if to say “look at me, I’m pretty…” but when you look, you can’t help but wonder if their life was as extravagant as their resting place or as important as they have let on to be.
Do the clothes make the man or does the man make the clothes? While this answer can go both ways for anyone person, I hope that my clothes will not be remembered. They will only be the equipment needed to experience life’s adventures.
[Here are a few photos that I really liked. Take a look at the one with me in it and see if you notice anything. I did not stage this photo and did not realize what was in the photo until I got back home... very weird!]
Lock and Chain
Monumental
The Cross
You Will Die
Here is a YouTube video tour of the cemetery. Enjoy!
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Travel, in essence, is one of the most “adventurous” things you can do. Heck, even when I say “travel,” thoughts of foreign lands, foods, people and crazy-cool experiences come to mind.
I’ve been very fortunate to travel and the one thing I’ve learned from my travels is that traveling can become an obsession. Whether you summit Mt. Everest, explore the Amazon Basin or eat homemade Paella in Spain – traveling is an experience in and of itself.
Travel or “The Greatness Beyond” knows my name and it is calling me.
As of next week, I will be living in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a month. What will I discover? Who will I meet? What kind of foods will I taste? I can safely say… I have no idea and I’m loving it.
There are only two items that I must do while I’m there:
As of next week, I will be living in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a month. What will I discover? Who will I meet? What kind of foods will I taste? I can safely say… I have no idea and I’m loving it.
Greg Dawson