Tag Archives: trip

From Argentina to Paraguay via ferry

19 Tuesday May 2026

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“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness, didn’t know where to go shopping.” ― Coco Chanel

On our final day in Argentina we went shopping in Paraguay.  We went to a brand new shopping center called China Shopping.  It is catered to Brazilians looking for luxury items, from iPhone to all top name clothing name brands and perfumes.  One a side note, Michael was shocked to see how much Brazilian men likes to use and to shop for colognes.

We only went there because the lady that help my mom around the house wanted to get a cell phone for her son.  To me, shopping is as pleasurable as a trip to the dentist.  My mother likes to shop but she prefers local vendors with the local items.

 The highlight of the trip to me was the ferry.  Our driver suggested that, instead of taking the highway, that we take the ferry.  It was only a 12 minute ride to get from Argentina to Paraguay.  So pleasurable and definitely the right choice.

At the end of the day, we got the cell phone and everyone was happy.  A phone that would cost 13,000 reais ($2,600.00) in Brazil, in Paraguay was bought for 7,000 reais ($1,400.00)

 

 

     

“We can’t stop shopping, we must stop shopping. It isn’t only that consumption is distorting the climate, felling the forests, cluttering out lives, filling our heads with a throwaway mindset, even stealing the stars from the night sky. The worst is that it leaves us with no idea of what else to do, no belief that things can be different. Whichever way we go, it leaves us doomed.” ― J.B. MacKinnon, The Day the World Stops Shopping: How Ending Consumerism Saves the Environment and Ourselves

 

     

 

 

And now for the fishes – AquaFoz Aquarium

16 Saturday May 2026

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“I am not eccentric. It’s just that I am more alive than most people. I am an unpopular electric eel set in a pond of catfish.” ― Edith Sitwell

While visiting Puerto Iguazu in Argentina we would cross the border back and forth to Brazil.  In one of those days we visited the aquarium – AquaFoz.

This is a new attraction in the area, and so well worth the visit.  They did such an amazing job of bringing visitors close to nature.  

They have species from the ocean, as well as from the local rivers Paraná and Iguaçu.  Their aim is not only to introduce visitors to these amazing aquatic creatures, but also to educate and conservate.  They want people to realize how important it is to protect our rivers and oceans.

The more we learn and understand about all the creatures around us, the more we realize how intricate, amazing and intelligent they all are, and hopefully that will lead to having more respect and love for them.

 

“All men are equal before fish.”
― Herbert Hoover

 

     

 

 

Park das Aves – Bird Sanctuary

14 Thursday May 2026

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“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild. So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure.” ― Stephen King, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

While visiting Puerto Iguazu in Argentina we would cross the border back and forth to Brazil.  In one of those days we visited the Parque das Aves – a bird sanctuary that is so beautiful and interesting.

The story of how the sanctuary started is here:

https://www.parquedasaves.com.br/sobre-o-parque-das-aves/historia/

It was so much fun and interesting seeing and learning about all the different species of birds.  I also loved the butterflies.  I am always in awe of how rich nature is.

My favorite bird is the toucan.  We have them in my town in Brazil, is always a surprising to me when I spot them.

There was one in my mother’s balcony the other day while Michael was sitting there in the morning.  Michael was reading and hadn’t notice the toucan perched on the railing just steps from him.  Unfortunately I was so surprised by its presence that I yelled Michael’s name and that scared it away.

 

 

Mom’s 91st birthday in Iguazu Falls, Argentina

13 Wednesday May 2026

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  • “A waterfall cannot be silent, just as the wisdom! When they speak, the voice of power speaks!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan

Another birthday trip was successfully completed celebrating my mother’s 91st birthday.  We had such a great time last year in Argentina that we have decided to return this year.

Last year we were there for only 3 days, so mom and I mostly stayed at the hotel enjoying the grounds and the casino.  This time we stayed 6 days and had a chance to do some sightseeing.

Some of what we did:

  • Iguazu Falls – Impressive and majestic! It is such an honor to be so close to the beauty and force of the water.  We visited the Brazilian side as it was more accessible to my mother.  You have to take a bus from the main gate, but they gave us permission to go in with our driver, so it was very convenient.  I would visit again and perhaps rent a bike or hike a trail, or take some of the amazing tours and experiences they offer.
  • Parque das Aves – Bird Park – This bird sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of species from the Atlantic Forest. So many beautiful and interesting birds.  I would visit again.
  • AquaFoz Aquarium – This is a new attraction in the area. It is trying to show the richness contained in the Rivers Paraná and Iguaçu.  I loved it.  I would visit again.
  • Madero Tango Show – I expected a little more, but I have high expectations when it comes to shows. We chose this show because it was adjacent to the hotel, I am sure Tango shows in Buenos Aires will be much better.  It also included dinner, but the food was bad.  I would not return, but my mother enjoyed it so that was the important thing.
  • The Three Borders landmark – we visited it on the Argentinian side – it has a couple of restaurants and some little stores. I visited again for the gorgeous view of  Brazil and Paraguay, and the rivers Paraná and Iguaçu.
  • City Center Iguazu Casino – it has slot machines in 3 different currencies: The Argentinian Peso, the Brazilian Real and American Dollar. Always fun, but didn’t have a chance to spend much time there.
  • Puerto Iguazu town – walked around the stores and restaurants downtown was a lot fun.  The stores sells mostly alfajores (delicious sandwich cookies), olives and wines.  Alfajores were our gifts of choice to family and friends.
  • Spa del Paraiso – this is the spa in the hotel. We had a great relaxing massage. Very talented masseuses. I would go again.
  • China Shopping Center in Paraguay – this one I was forced to go to. I hate shopping, I hate shopping centers. The lady that works for us helping my mother wanted to get an iPhone for her son.  The prices in Paraguay are less than half of the prices for luxury items in Brazil.  The highlight of the trip was taking the ferry from Argentina to Paraguay and back, a quick and beautiful 12 minute trip that avoided the crazy road traffic.

The extra time, and there was not much of it, was spent enjoying meals at the hotel and at couple of restaurants in the other areas.  We had lunch by the pool one day.  I had passion-fruit caipiroskas every chance I had.  Caipiroska is similar to caipirinha, but it uses vodka instead of cachaça, so it is less strong.

My mom uses a wheelchair most of the time, so it is always stressful when we go to different places.  But we had no issues in any of the places we visited.

I feel so blessed to still have my mom and to be able to take her places.  She has the heart and lust for life like a teenager.

Here some pictures and video of the gorgeous fall. I will be posting other pictures in follow up posts.

Happiness and anxiety hand in hand

21 Tuesday Apr 2026

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  • “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” — Charles Spurgeon

I am leaving for Brazil tomorrow to go celebrate my mom’s 91st birthday.  We are planning to take her to Argentina again.  She is so excited.

While I find myself happier and happier each day, I am a bit anxious as well.  I was really anxious over that ConEdison debacle, so glad that is resolved.   I am anxious about getting home and not seeing my father walking up to meet us, as he normally did.  I know he is in a better place but still there is an emptiness.

I have self diagnosed myself as having happiness anxiety.   I am always happy as I believe that happiness is a choice, but the happier I get, it also feels like I am waiting for the other shoe to drop.   As if so much happiness is not possible and not sustainable, therefore something bad is coming along.

I am writing about it to get my internal dialogues on paper.

I feel better already 🙂

Now I am off to pack and finish work stuff.

So Much Happiness – Naomi Shihab Nye 1952 

It is difficult to know what to do with so much happiness.
With sadness there is something to rub against,
a wound to tend with lotion and cloth.
When the world falls in around you, you have pieces to pick up,
something to hold in your hands, like ticket stubs or change.

But happiness floats.
It doesn’t need you to hold it down.
It doesn’t need anything.
Happiness lands on the roof of the next house, singing,
and disappears when it wants to.
You are happy either way.
Even the fact that you once lived in a peaceful tree house
and now live over a quarry of noise and dust
cannot make you unhappy.
Everything has a life of its own,
it too could wake up filled with possibilities
of coffee cake and ripe peaches,
and love even the floor which needs to be swept,
the soiled linens and scratched records . . .

Since there is no place large enough
to contain so much happiness,
you shrug, you raise your hands, and it flows out of you
into everything you touch. You are not responsible.
You take no credit, as the night sky takes no credit
for the moon, but continues to hold it, and share it,
and in that way, be known.

“Anxiety is a lot like a toddler. It never stops talking, tells you you’re wrong about everything, and wakes you up at 3 a.m.” — Unknown

 

of trips and falls and the need to change …

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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“Overconfidence precedes carelessness.” 
― Toba Beta

(I wrote this on Saturday,  August 10)

Instead of being en route to Boston I am sitting here at Penn Station with broken fingernails, scraped and painful knees, a sore wrist and wearing a pair of ripped jeans.  That is the result of falling while running to catch a train.

When I fell I had no time to be embarrassed, but the fact that I fell  on the sidewalk of a very busy street, right where there was the weekly Farmer’s Market is not lost on me.  I quickly gathered all the spilled contents of my bags and took off running even faster.  I got to the station with a 1 minute to spare.

The train is late, giving me time to finally assess the damages.  Only now I realize my jeans are ripped on the right knee.  2 fingernails on my left hand are broken.  My knees are throbbing and when I look through the hole I see blood.  I am not even sure what to think or feel.  I guess the prevailing feeling is anger at myself. I can’t blame this on an uneven sidewalk or anything else, this is all on me!

Finally after 10 minutes, that seems like 10 hours, the train comes and I jump in.  I get settled in the comfortable seat.  My entire body is sore, so it feels great to let my body relax in the seat and get ready for the 4 hour trip.

I am not relaxed for long.  When the conductor comes and takes a look at my ticket, his face falls.  He looks like he is going to start crying.  He explains I am on the train to Washington and not to Boston.  He cannot understand how I didn’t hear the many announcements he made.  I consoled him and said it was not his fault, three or four times.   I remember hearing announcements but never dawned on me to think to pay attention to what was being said.  Also, the fact that the train was heading South instead of North was another detail I had failed to notice.

The conductor informs me that luckily the train is making a stop at Penn Station in NY City where I can get off and catch another train.  After the conductor leaves I sit there thinking of how I need to change my ways. Why must I wait until the last minute to leave the house?  Did I really need to vacuum the apartment? Did I need to make my own salad to bring? Why must I come up with 300 things to do and then have to run like a bat out of hell?

I laugh welcoming this little curve ball, realizing there are lessons here! I need to learn them and change my ways otherwise some thing worst than a bruised knee and a ripped pair of jeans is bound to occur.

With all being said about my need to change my ways, my positive self thinks that all this happened for a reason.  I was not meant to be in that train and was meant to be sitting at Penn Station right now.  I do not know why.  I do not need to have a reason, I just need to believe that at this moment I am where I need and was meant to be!

“For myself I am an optimist – it does not seem to be much use to be anything else.”― Winston Churchill

***

After I wrote the above, my train was delayed and eventually canceled. I had paid $60 more to be put on the 12pm Acela Express instead of the regular 1pm train.  The Acela kept being pushed back due to mechanicals problems.  The girl at the Amtrak counter tells me to wait until 12:45 and if the Acela is not set to leave she will put me on the 1pm.  I make sure to ask if there will be still room on that.  She said: There is plenty of room.  Now, almost 12:45pm the announcement says the Acela has been canceled.  I go to the counter, not waiting in line and going straight to the girl from before.  When she tried to put me on the 1pm, she says: “oh, it is sold out!”.    I think at this point I have tears rolling down my face.  She feels my pain and is talking to co-workers and supervisors to see what can be done.  All of a sudden after a phone call to someone she says that the Acela is back on.

What Amtrak ended up doing was combining both trains in the 1 pm.  There wasn’t enough room, so take a guess who had to ride standing until the next station? At the next station people left and seats became available.  That station happened to be my town,  where I had started my trip 3 and a half hours early.  Yes, it was tempting to just get off the train and go home.

It all seemed like a never ending comedy, where the only not laughing was me!

My tears at the Amtrak counter were not about wasting money and time, or ripping my favorite pair of NYDJ jeans,  but about my lack of attention and care.  I tend to be an airhead, careless and klutzy.  I think I cannot waste a minute, and try to pack as much as I can on my day.  All I do is talk about the need to pay more attention to my surroundings and to be in the moment, but no changes have been made.  When am I going to start?  This quirk of mine used to be cute – on Saturday not so much!

At times I do think I suffer of overconfidence.

At the end of the day,  my trip was successful.  I went to Boston to help a friend choose a wedding dress.  That was accomplished, she has a dress now and she was extremely appreciative of my being there to help her choose it.

Now, for the wedding in September I think I will be driving! 🙂

“How could I have been so ignorant? she thinks. So stupid, so unseeing, so given over to carelessness. But without such ignorance, such carelessness, how could we live? If you knew what was going to happen, if you knew everything that was going to happen next—if you knew in advance the consequences of your own actions—you’d be doomed. You’d be as ruined as God. You’d be a stone. You’d never eat or drink or laugh or get out of bed in the morning. You’d never love anyone, ever again. You’d never dare to.” 
― Margaret Atwood