Eva and I were part of a tri-national drug smuggling operation the other day. Well if you consider cigarettes a drug. We were in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay a town not too un-like Tijuana. We wanted to cross into Argentina to go to Iguazu falls, but had heard a lot of conflicting information about the crossing. The problem being that you can not get from Paraguay to Argentina in this part of the country without passing through Brazil for 10km or so. Well, I´m never one to skip out on going to a new country that is close, but in this case, Brazil charges Americans 131 USD (may be up to 160USD) for a visa, which I was not inclined to do for a half hour transit. As of Jan 1st Argentina will charge Americans the same and Chile already does if you fly into Santiago. I know these countries think fair is fair as it the US charges their citizens the same, but I really think they need to swallow a little pride and let Americans in for cheaper. It may sound a bit arrogant, but to me it just stems from government pride and greed. It stops some flow of American tourist dollar and really only impacts the local people and local businesses that miss out on some tourist money. Think about it if all countries jump on that band wagon. If you plan a grand trip of South America, hitting say 10 countires, and have to pay 1600 USD in visas, you´re probably going to skip the region all together. I am on board with a nominal processing fee but 160 USD, come on. Of course I feel the same for the US charging that costly fee for visitors.

Enough rant, back to the smuggling. We heard their was a direct bus that did not stop at Brazil customs on either side, but werent sure. There are very few other travelers in Paraguay to ask. By the way, Eva (EU) does not need a visa anywhere down here. So we got stamped out of Paraguay and looked around for the bus. Eventually it did come and we zipped through Brazil customs on both sides, with no troubles. The only event along the way was when the bus slowed down near a bus stop in Brazil, and some of the passengers through out bundles of cigs for thier cohorts to pick up. For our part (our silence) in the operation, Eva and I did not receive any compensation. But not having to pay for a Brazil visa was good enough. But I spent a half hour in Brazil on the bus and 15 mintues earlier that day on the Brazil side (from Paraguay) of the Itaipu Dam (biggest operating hydro electric dam in the world) tour. So can I count Brazil as country number 53 visited? Probably not, what do you think?

Yesterday we spent the day at Iguazu falls which was the main reason I wanted to come here, and it did not dissapoint. It was amazing, but more about that will follow. We cross into Uruguay tomorrow, and are headed to the Atlantic beaches.

No time to proof read or check spelling, live with it.