9/19/15 
One of my favorite activity is people watching (ok, I don’t mean being a peeping tom). It is amazing how we all behave in various circumstances. For example: we never abruptly turn around and walk back in the original direction without doing some “extra” action to tell the world why we have to turn around. You will see people smack their head, look at their watch, and do some interesting actions to justify their behavior. We tend to be hyper aware of what other people may think, even though 90% of the time no one is paying attention. Of course, I happen to be the 10% that like to watch what other people do (which, now that I am writing it down, it sounds really creepy).
I woke up today feeling moderately refreshed and excited. I was finally going to see Iguazu Falls. Located between Argentina and Brazil, it is one of the most famous waterfalls on the world. The falls can be seen from both the Brazilian and the Argentinia side. Supposedly, the view from Brazilian side is more majestic (and they allow helicopter flights), while the Argentinian side boast a more scenic view and a boat ride that pass right under the waterfall. Due to time constraint (a very convoluted event: I need to meet a new friend in Rosario, Argentina by Subday because he is moving to a new city for a new job, and yet we all forgot we can meet at his new city too…), I opted for the Brazilian side, but with a boat ride (that cost an arm and a leg. Well, not literally, but close. How much is a kg of human flesh worth?!).
The wait started at the entrance. The weather was hot and steamy, and luckily the queue moved rapidly. It was during the process I noticed: there were a lot of elderly and young children (in strollers). Coming from Colombia and Cuba, I have forgotten that most national parks around the world cater to the whole population, not just the young and the reckless. I bought the ticket, and realized that the park has a bus service that drops people off at different locations for various activities: boat ride, rock climb, belaying, nature walk, and many more. Of course, they were also kind enough to inform everyone that these activities are not included in the admission price, but can be found at the entrances. I got off at the waterfall viewing trail, and then hiked to the many viewing platforms, ending at one that is extremely close to “Devil’s Throat” (so many deep throat jokes in my mind…). It was spectacular, loud, wet, misty, and everything I have imagined and more.
As I was walking, I noticed some interesting actions. On the bus, parents with strollers would collapse it and store it at the front, but then sit all the way at the back of the bus. Fathers somehow like to show their kids how to break rules by sticking hands and feet outside the window. On the trail, people would stop suddenly to take photos of their love ones, knocking into people behind them. Some move in herds, blocking pedestrian traffics and created mini-log jams. Teenagers raced through the trail, pushing everyone off the path. It was a very chaotic scene, and yet we all moved along, enjoying the view. The majestic nature seemed to have calm us all down, even when others were behaving badly.
In the afternoon, I took the famous boat ride that (unknown to me), also consisted of a electric train ride and a nature walk. The ride was pretty mundane, with the guide giving information about local plants (acai! My new favorite fruit), and animals. The nature walk consisted of a short hike to a waterfall, and ironically 50% of my tour group opted not to go. We all ended up at a locker room facility, with a locker costing 5 reales. My guide joked about my impending “shower”, and advised me to take off my Tshirt and shoes. I happily obliged, and went onto the boat. Since everyone want to have the front seats, we all got shuffled around and I took a seat at the back (one bad things about traveling solo). It was still an awesome ride: they speed around, go under a waterfall, spin around the boat a few times for videos and photos. As promised, everyone was drenched, but had an exhilarating time. Another dad decided to showcase his rule breaking skill by asking his son to stand up with him during the ride back. Sadly, they were told to sit down before a strong wave toss them overboard.
After witnessing a couple hopped over a fence into a private dock (they got caught and tried to argue their way out, but were firmly turned away), I returned to the entrance and got back to my hostel. As I was typing this and waiting for my dinner, I have to say: iguazu falls is fantastic. Xinyi called it a bucket list activity, and she is absolutely right. I can now proudly say I have been to Iguazu falls, and accidentally drank some of the dirty water during a boat ride. On a deeper note, I wondered if people are affected by the closeness to raw power of nature, an hence test against rules and regulations. As I was musing, a Chinese lady asked if I am Chinese, and then asked to borrow a charger. I happily agreed, got the charger from my room only for her to ask if she can have the charger tonight. When I expressed my reluctance and suggested she should charge the phone in the lobby while I wait, she stopped talking to me, but not before taking the charger. I had to ask her after 45 mins if she was done before she handed it back to me.
Well, that threw out my theory of people misbehaving because they are affected by nature. Guess I will have to observe people more and come up with a new theory.
Chen's Travel Blog 