Brazil

My last entry from Brazil!  I can not believe I did it but I did and thank you everyone for your cheers and prayers.  I am going to try to go to Joplin Mo and help out.   My `big sis`Martha lives in the next town over and works in Joplin.  The tornado missed her place of work by a few blocks.  It is very sad.  I have loved my time in Brazil and highly recommend it, especially the Pantanal and the Iguaçu falls!!!!  And my |Portuguesse still stinks but I can get by.  I cant wait to talk to my children and hear their voices!!!  I will call when I get to Miami kids :>)  Looking foward to putting my picturs and videos on the blog and sharing stories to all who want to hear....
A vida e bela!
Jungle Jan

Jungle Jans Adventures Continue

WHOO HOO!!! Had a fabulous time at the falls on the Brazil side.  Was not planning on being so adventurous....really, but could not pass this up :>)  I balanced myself through jungle tree top obstacle course, zip line, rock wall climbing, rappelled 50 meters!!!!!! and river rafted the Iguaçu River....HOT DOG! I am not even sore today which I am amazed that my arms arent with the rappel.  I would love to take pictures of birds doing that....what great photography.  I am SURE National Geographic wants me now....lol
Last night a very funny thing happened and I have it on video.....but I will not utube it!  A select few will enjoy and laugh their butts off!  I do not know how I get into these situations.....just seem to pop up when I am around....lol   Leave for Brasilia in a few hours and then just 2 days left :>(
A vida e bela!

Argentina

Got a new stamp in my passport!!  The 26 hour trip to get here was well worth it!  Got some great photos and video :>)  It is more than breathtaking and is beautiful.  The best way I can describe is to say....my heart and soul were soooo happy to see it!!!!Nothing else like it....how it touched me.  I kept thinking over and over again....A VIDA E BELA, A VIDA E BELA...OBRIGADA!  THE LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, THE LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL...THANK YOU.  It is humbling.....

perfect night

Forgot to mention that my last night at the Pantanal and it was like a warm summer eve....most were, the sky full of stars and the milky way very clear and best of all.....not a bug in the sky!  Weird....not even under the lights....not any type of bug.....and I did not get one bite....that was a miracle ;0)
Arrived at Iguacu Falls this afternoon....a 26 hr trip....25 by bus, 30 minutes by truck coming out of the Pantanal and another 30 minutes by taxi.  Here is the goofy thing though....we had to drive north 5 hrs to Campo Grande to buy our bus tickets to the falls only to turn back around the way we came and continue south!  Brazil has not quite figured out online status yet.  They are crazy....dont stop at stop (para) signs and not always at red lights either, especially at night...YIKES.  The Brazilians love their salt...more so up by the Arguyia river....just pour the salt onto their hand like when doing shots of tequilla...but no tequilla.  The food is not as salty down south.  They always have beans and rice with lunch and dinner and often like to have potatoes with that as well.  They are a friendly bunch though and the country is beautiful. Weather much cooler down south.  Most likely will go to Argentina tomorrow!!  To check out the falls on that side and then will check it out on the Brazil side the next day if all goes as planned....hot dog!  Had a nice time with the French family I rode on the bus with along with some young English men....luckily one speaks Portuguesse.  This family, 2 young girls....6 and 10? who are the sweetest and their mom and dad are on their last month of a year long trek around the world...incredible.  It is very nice here at the Paudimar Hostel....the manager...Vitor....pronounced Victor.....he vas my boyfriend....a line from Young Frankenstein....calls me Janet Jackson....greeted me when I got out of the taxi and asked what happened to my dark skin.  Told him had the same problem as my bro did but still got the moves....lol   so friendly and helpful.  Will fly back to Brasilia on Monday....gives me an extra day to make it back on time before I leave on the 1st to head back home.

last evening in Pantanal

Had a magnificent time with my new family...got invited to eat with the staff and they fed me fresh fried catfish...mmmm!!! It was delicious and poured me casasha all night, played ping pong, danced and laughed :)!! I will miss them but looking forward to seeing my family and friends in Spokane! Will take the night bus with a french family I met here to the Iguacu Falls...a once in a life time experience I have been told by all. Can't wait to post my pictures when I get home. A vida E bela!!!! As the Brazilians say...the life is beautiful!! I am so grateful!! Hopefully can write at the falls.

International hub

This place is awesome for meeting people from around the world! Played cards last night with a group that consisted of young couple..she is from spain and he is australian and they live in london, a 25 year old guy who is sooo funny and he is from london, a guy from munich who works for a big tv show in germany, a young israeli man and a polish ortho surgen who lives in spain!!! So cool :) the surgeon and young couple left this afternoon so that leaves the 3 amigos as I refer to them now. The 4 of us went on a little walk about...me being their tour guide now that I have somewhat moved in.. lol. A beautiful and large, about as big as me, anteater ran in front of us!!!! It was mr londons dream come true..
I will try to do a psuedo documentary with my camcorder on the 3 amigos! They are quite the group...very fun...this ought to be good :)

surrender

Quit today before new group arrives so I went to the river bank. Had headphones on and danced on and on with hot sun on my skin, caymen on the other side of the bank watching, emu, horses and goats grazing without a care and the Paraguay river flowing on by endlessly and variety of birds flying about. I AM LIVING HEAVEN!!! ...except for those mosquitos those lttle bastards...lol