Sao Paulo

I got to Sao Paulo and was blown away by the size.  It really isn't such a great city, and although I spent the following two days just walking and in awe of the enormous magnitude of the city.  The first night I just got dinner and chilled at the hostel.  The next day I went to to a book store to prepare myself for the beaches to come, and then walked around down town.  It was nice enough, but nothing special.  That evening I got dinner at like this cool outdoor street food lot, which was interesting.  The next day I walked a lot and saw some parks, and the Japanese area.  This too was fine, but nothing special.  I loved the sushi, but that is hardly indicative of Sao Paulo.  The parks were just mediocre.

I then headed to Paraty in an effort to be in awe of the beaches I had heard so much about

Florianopolis

I got toFlorianopolis after a 7 bus journey from hell.  As it turns out the island was pretrty nice, but nothing breathtaking.  The whole island was nice, and there werw some pretty places, but as I would soon learn they were no where near the nicest in the country. I spoent the first two days I was there on two different beaches reading.  Thew final day I went to the city and walked around, and wasnt super impressed.  I ate well and saw some cool places, but it wasnt such a great place.

Iguazu

My first step into Brazil wasn't exactly Brazil.  After arriving at the hostel, which was considerably out of town and closer to the falls themselves, I got myself on a trip back to Argentina (I believe for the final time, but who knows) to see the falls from that side.  They were as expected fantastic, and a sight well worth seeing.  I was really blown away by not just how big it was, but how many other smaller waterfalls were within sight.  The whole things was really great.  The following day today), I headed to see them again, but this time from the Brazil side.  The Brazil side is much smaller and has much less to do on it.  I think that the view its self may be better, but because there isn't much of a park to spend the day it isn't as much of an experience.  Still, very beautiful.

I now wait in the hostel and will head on the night bus to Florianopolis in the evening.

Encarnación

Encarnación was a really nice town.  I arrived at was instantly set at ease.  There were very few foreigners there, so we mostly stuck together.  The first night there was a concert on the beach we attended, which wasn't great, but was nice and free.  I then visited the ruins the following day of Trinidad and Jesus, and both were very nice.  I waited around that evening and saw the night lights, which were lame, but I had nothing better to do.  The following day I just hit the river beach with an American girl and then drank on the boardwalk that night with others.  

Overall, just a super nice place and a nice time.

Asuncion

I got to Asuncion, and was instantly impressed.  Now, it is a really small city, with not really that much to do.  However, the people are cheerful, and everyone seems to be happy.  This to go along with one of the sweetest old ladies I have ever met running my hostel made for a nice stay.

The first night I just sort of ate (a huge Brazilian style buffet of meat), and went to bed.  The following day I went shopping.  I purchased a new camera to replace the stolen one, and grew very excited by how cheap things were in Paraguay.  I spent the rest of the day touring and taking new photos.

The following day I followed up my exuberant spending spree by purchasing a new tablet.  I am less pleased with this purchase.  It was super cheap, but the thing I bought was kind of a piece of crap and runs very slowly.  It will suffice for the rest of the trip, but I look forward to having a good computer back with me.  I then spent the afternoon in the botanic gardens which were not so impressive, but proved to be a nice way to pass the afternoon, and made for a nice good bye to the city.

I headed to Encarnación early the next day after a mostly sleepless night.

Santa Fe, Parana, Resistencia, and my Mugging

I got to Santa Fe, and was pretty underwhelmed.  There was not too much going on here, and despite a historic center, and an old Franciscan mission there was little to see.  However, I was only there for about 10 hours, so what the hell I walked around and saw the town.  I also spent a good deal of time that night in the hotel, which had a tv in my room, and I tool full advantage.

The next day I slept in late and headed to Parana.  It was a nice enough city, but with probably less to do than Santa Fe.  So, I walked along the board walk, got some empanadas, and was going to head back early to again take full advantage of the TV in my room.  Unfortunately, some teenagers had different plans and decided to rob me at gun point.  I then foolishly chased them afterwards.  We came upon police in the chase, and the continued t follow the kids while I waited with one.  They all came back to the station and told me to be patient and eventually got me back all my passports and documents.  They then told me I needed to leave, and I suspect that the cops are keeping my stuff for themselves, as they refused to help me any more.  I then just went back and watched tv as I kind of felt like shit for a while after that.

I got to Resistencia very late and ended up in a more expensive hotel then I would prefer, but I guess its ok.  The next day I walked around and really felt uncomfortable.  It is a poor city, and the supposed sculptures aren't that impressive. So, I went back to my room and read for pretty much the whole day.  I guess I am still kind of shaken up, because I don't want to be anywhere that doesn't look like Disney land right now.

I head to Paraguay tomorrow and will need to buy a new camera, and sort of regroup after a kind of crazy experience.

Mendoza

I spent 3 nights and 4 days in this lovely city.  The first day I really just at rolled the nice plazas and beautiful boulevards.  Following this I went on a bike tour of the wine country hopping from one vineyard to another.  I went with this Canadian man, and we had a real nice day.  I followed that by going rafting the next day which was really fun and something I had wanted to do for some time now.  The final day I walked around the town and checked out the beautiful park just out of town.  Really just a good place to spend a few days.  Very nice city.

Tonight I head to Santa fe where my days in Argentina are slowly running out.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso was pretty interesting.  It's windy roads and back alleyways staircases added a ton of character to the city.  It is a huge port town that has a long history dating back to the 1540s.  I loved the street art and the winding passageways that all seem to curl around the mountain providing an incredible view of the port and sea below.  I didn't really do much here, but wonder the streets, but I get the feeling that this is really all there is to do.  I only stayed 30 hours or so, and am going to board a bus back to Santiago in order to get myself a bus back to Argentina so I can finally visit the jewel of the country: Mendoza.  I have heard really great things, and I am really looking forward to exploring it.  I am running a little heavy on time, so I may stay a while there if it is nice.  We'll have to see what happens.

Salta

Salta was nice!!!  Compared to other places in South America this is like a Royal Palace.  I really don´t know what to say other than people are right, and this is much more European.  I have eaten well, and drank well, and seen some nice things along the way.

The Australian couple an I started out by just walking the city.  We then met up with some friends of theirs and got drunk in the afternoon of day one.  We followed this with a nice dinner and just a good day in genera. the following day we went to a park to view the city from above, had lunch in the park and they left.  I was able to hook up with a dutch couple and another Australian guy for a three day road trip before meeting up with Mike.

The road trip was nice, but had to much driving.  Cafayate was incredible and one of the best times I had in South America, but we should have stayed longer.  We ended up staying at this hostel with almost all Argentinian girls and singing, drinking, and eating all night.  >the owner had a guitar and led us in songs all night, and it was just a really good time.  We then went for a hike the next day to a waterfall (where I ruined my shoes which I loved and bought for my Asia trip originally).   We then headed north without the Australian guy, which sucked because he sort of promised to chip in for gas and the car and then backed out of the final day, which stuck us with the bill.  Either way the drive was nice up north, but it wasn´t so spacial.  Mostly just a way to burn time before mike joins me on the 9th.

Tonight I head to Cordoba where I will wait a day for Mike.  i have a few errands to run, so it is fine.  I want to fix my I Pod, which is broken and that is the worst on road trips.  I also want to see if I can fix my shoes, and book a trip for Mike and I to the river or something on the 10th.

Santiago

I didn't spend much time there (2 1/2 days), but I gt the idea. It is a nice place to live without much tourism.  I went to the main market for an almost identical experience to the one in Montevideo, only with seafood. I then headed to the free walking tour, which was really nice, and informative. The next day I went to the top of two hilltop parks, which were both nice, but not spectacular.  I had an early dinner, went o sleep early and headed fr Valparaiso the next day.