Brazil is going to have some serious problems with visas when the World Cup arrives. The requirements are almost as stringent as those for a visa to China; an online application, proof of financial security and an onward ticket. I can´t blame them for the $160 charge for Americans, our government does the same to Brazilians. It´s the buracracy that I hate, all buracracy, now that I think about it. In Cordoba we were told the process would take 5 to 10 days.
Iguazu Falls straddles the Argentina-Brazil border making it a highlight of a trip to either country. Puerto Iguazu on the Argentine side is also the best place to obtain a visa. The cost is the same as are the requirements but the people in the Consulate are like Boy Scouts - friendly, helpful, courteous and kind. We had all the paperwork in by 11 AM today and our visas are promised by the same time tomorrow. Esperamos. We wait. We hope.
Sink or Swim
Getting to Puerto Iguazu is either expensive (flying) or tedious (bus.) We chose the tedious bus, 24-hours and two changes. We didn´t get to sit together for most of the trip but our single "cama" sleeper seats were comfortable and the journey is now behind us. We got to see some of the Argentina we had missed beginning with a spectacular sunset over the sprawling pampas. There must have been some heavy storms recently; the cattle were grazing belly-deep in flooded pastures. Connie spoted a couple of greater rheas, closing out the ostrich-like family on her birding list.
We will stay on the Argentine side for another 4 days or so, visiting the falls and doing some birding in the forests. Our dear friends, Lynn and Hector from Colorado, will be arriving at Foz do Iguasu on the Brazilian side next week. With our computer! And we will be waiting in the lobby of their hotel to greet them.
