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May 31, 2007

Argentina | South America   10:52 AM
Argentina Again: Hostels, Hassles & Iguazú Falls Revisited

The border crossing from Brazil into Argentina is efficient and well-organized. I created a bit of a fuss when I pulled over, got off the bike and searched for an Aduana officer to pitch my plight about my temporary import permit. Shaking his head while waving a fellow officer over I was a bit concerned when he explained that I'd likely be in for a heavy "multa" (fine) if things were as I said -- I had not cancelled out. He scanned the paper work and handed to his compadre. They mumbled and i couldn't understand their spanish. He handed the paper back to me pointing to some scribble that showed I still had two more weeks. He suggested I enjoy the falls but get back to Brazil before those two weeks expire if I wanted to keep my motorcycle or prevent a huge fine.

Taking a walk to the falls.

At Argentina you get closer and practically in there. What you lose is the scope and scale of the expanse of this natural beauty. You need to see both sides.

Relieved I felt good to be back in Argentina. It was all familiar. I understood the language, the prices were better and there was better wine. I stayed at a massive youth hostel where sadly in my bunk room a mouse or rat ate through one of my precious dry bags which had been home for a couple weeks to a dwindling yet tasty supply of trail mix. Management didn't react nor take kindly to the suggestion that they keep my useless dry bag (it was a small 8 liter procured from REI some time back). Not even phased by the fact that the place was rat-infested and earlier they did nothing to correct the toilet that continued to leak making a shower or a piss and a shit a wading affair. (please excuse my colloquialisms, I mean no offense)

What boggles my mind is the number of younger travelers traveling in groups of 2,3 or 4 that when totaled pay more than they would at a regular hotel. For example, as a solo traveler I paid $9 for my bed that night. But if three friends paid $27 they would be paying more than the hotel I checked just down the street: for a double room only $21. And you get a private bathroom, linens, towels and better security. Sure the social aspect of a hostel is a seductive part of travel in your late teens or early twenties, in fact a group of travelers from the UK and Belgium who I befriended were happy to invite me behind the hostel to secretly and privately imbibe in part of a joint, I passed, but notwithstanding the notion that a hostel is a cheaper way to travel is very questionable, depending on how one travels.

Perhaps it was a group of these hostel-inclined travelers that I ran into at the El Tio Querido (recommended) restaurant in Igauzú in Argentina. Actually, I was a bit embarrased this evening of my national heritage. The group of 7 or 8 included three inebriated guys from California, one who jumped up on stage, grabbed the microphone and started singing along to an Elton John song the instrumental focused two-piece band was playing. He had all the moves but forgot most of the words. While some found this funny, it was, well, the alcohol talking after all.

Posted by allan

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