In the morning, we took a taxi to the Paraguayan border with Brazil, on our way to see Iguazu Falls. We had been told that there no longer was a bus that goes directly to Ciudad del Este (the Paraguayan city on the border of Brazil and Argentina) so to avoid the hassle of switching buses, we took another taxi. When we were Peace Corps volunteers, most of the trip was on an unpaved road. Now, al of the roads are paved.
Along the way, we passed lots and lots of agricultural fields. This entire region has developed a lot since we left. There were many large-scale farming plots that continued on into the distance and also lots of industrial-sized silos. We identified corn, wheat, and sugar cane. It was always nice when we saw some trees.
Previously, a significant amount of this region had been inhabited by small-scale, subsistence farmers. We didn’t have enough time in the region to learn much about what happened to these subsistence farmers after selling their land to the large-scale farmers. Kiko did explain to us why subsistence farmers pretty much had to sell their to the large-scale farmers. Having a subsistence farm next to a large-scale farm is not very sustainable. There are a variety of reasons why and it is hard for one farmer to hold out when all of his neighbors sell their land. Subsistence farmers generally have chickens and pigs that are free range during the day. These animals cannot enter the large-scale farms, which is a problem. More importantly, the large-scale farmers will use pesticides and other chemicals that endanger the small-scale farmer’s crops.
Previously, a significant amount of this region had been inhabited by small-scale, subsistence farmers. We didn’t have enough time in the region to learn much about what happened to these subsistence farmers after selling their land to the large-scale farmers. Kiko did explain to us why subsistence farmers pretty much had to sell their to the large-scale farmers. Having a subsistence farm next to a large-scale farm is not very sustainable. There are a variety of reasons why and it is hard for one farmer to hold out when all of his neighbors sell their land. Subsistence farmers generally have chickens and pigs that are free range during the day. These animals cannot enter the large-scale farms, which is a problem. More importantly, the large-scale farmers will use pesticides and other chemicals that endanger the small-scale farmer’s crops.
The ride from Curuguaty to Ciudad del Este took 5 or 6 hours. We had two stops. One was at a gas station/convenience store next to large industrial silos. Interestingly, there was an armed guard guarding the place. The second stop was to get water and yuyos for terere. There are road-side stands throughout Paraguay, selling yuyos.
When we approached the Paraguayan-Brazilian border in Ciudad del Este, we encountered a huge traffic jam. The line of cars trying to cross the border did not move at all. So after about 5 minutes without moving, we decided to leave the taxi and walk to the border. Ciudad del Este, at the border of both Brazil and Argentina, has a longstanding reputation for selling lots of contraband. It is a big shopping area.
The trip to Ciudad del Este, walking to the Paraguayan border, walking on the bridge across the Paraná River, and getting a taxi to Foz de Iguaçu, Brazil took a long time and we didn’t stop for lunch along the way. Fortunately, Filipina had given us a huge bunch of delicious bananas (probably about 2 dozen) that kept us from getting too cranky from lack of food.
In Foz de Iguaçu, we ate a late lunch at a Middle Eastern restaurant. Walking around the neighborhood, we saw a lot of women with headscarves.
After lunch, we took a taxi to Hostel Natura along the route to the Iguazu Falls. The hostel was recommended by the Lonely Planet guidebook and it was awesome! The taxicab driver was not familiar with the place. We drove for a while along the road to the falls and then turned off on another road. The road turned to gravel surrounded by farming land. We wondered where we were going. Then we arrived. Hostel Natura was a hidden gem.
Hostel Natura had a spacious plot of land. We had our own cabin that was set apart from the main building. The main building had a lounge area, computers, a bar, and tables on a patio. The best part was all of the activities and the beautiful setting. The boys loved it! There were hammocks, a lake, a swing, a tightrope, foosball. a football, and much more. John and I played with the kids for a bit but we also had caiparinhas to celebrate being in Brazil!
After lunch, we took a taxi to Hostel Natura along the route to the Iguazu Falls. The hostel was recommended by the Lonely Planet guidebook and it was awesome! The taxicab driver was not familiar with the place. We drove for a while along the road to the falls and then turned off on another road. The road turned to gravel surrounded by farming land. We wondered where we were going. Then we arrived. Hostel Natura was a hidden gem.
Hostel Natura had a spacious plot of land. We had our own cabin that was set apart from the main building. The main building had a lounge area, computers, a bar, and tables on a patio. The best part was all of the activities and the beautiful setting. The boys loved it! There were hammocks, a lake, a swing, a tightrope, foosball. a football, and much more. John and I played with the kids for a bit but we also had caiparinhas to celebrate being in Brazil!
We weren’t able to hang out at Hostel Natura for very long in the morning. We had to get to the main attraction – Iguazu Falls. Instead of calling a taxi, we walked to the main road to catch a bus to the entrance to the falls.