Tag Archives: #Argentina

Iguazu Falls Cabeza de Vaca

June 4, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Cabeza de Vaca, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #Iguazu, #IguazuFalls, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #50

I was shocked to find a small monument to Cabeza de Vaca on the lower trail. His fascinating tale of shipwreck, extreme hardship, and surprising gift of healing are recounted in his autobiography, “The Account of Cabeza de Vaca: A Literal Translation with Analysis and Commentary,” translated by David Carson. I had read an older translation many years before this one was published.

In 1528, Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish conquistador, got stranded on a little island off the coast of Texas. It took him eight years to finally get to Mexico City.

He returned to Spain in 1537, only to be appointed governor in much of what we now call Paraguay.

In 1541-42, Cabeza de Vaca led an expedition that took him to Iguazu Falls, making him the first European to see them.

Iguazu Falls Brazil Side Bird Sanctuary Birds

May 28, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #Iguazu, #IguazuFalls, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #45

I stood in awe of the scarlet #ibis—such a rich color.

The Bare-faced #Curassow waves hello. I love the curly crown.

And Perito met a new species.

Iguazu Falls Brazil Side Hike

May 27, 2025Anger, Events#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #Iguazu, #IguazuFalls, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #44

We hiked along the Brazil side looking toward the Argentinian side. The falls just stretched on, and on, and on…

Iguazu Falls Boat Ride

May 24, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #Iguazu, #IguazuFalls, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #43

After riding the helicopter, Adriana, Perito, and I took the boat ride into—literally—the falls. It was like being in a wild and ferocious storm. I couldn’t do anything while the water pounded. My baseball cap was worthless for protection.

As I have often done, I set my phone up for video. And as I have often done, I ended up getting a nice recording of my shirt–or in this case, life vest. Sh*t.

Here’s something of what I have–thank you, Adriana Bertola! As you can see, Perito gets noticed. He rode the waterfall in a plastic bag.

Iguazu Falls Helicopter Ride Photos

May 23, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #Iguazu, #IguazuFalls, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #42

I love taking photos with my real camera—I maybe took 10,000 on this trip—so here are some from the Helicopter ride.

Iguazu Falls

May 22, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #Iguazu, #IguazuFalls, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #41

Ever since watching the 1986 movie “The Mission,” I was fascinated by Iguazu Falls and wanted to see it for myself.

That dream was finally realized. It only took 39 years, but it came true.

To get the overall perspective, Adriana, Perito, and I started with a helicopter ride overhead.

WOW.

And Perito got a bird’s eye view from the very front of the cockpit.

Tango

May 21, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #Iguazu, #IguazuFalls, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, #Tango, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #40

My brother urged me to go see a real tango dance performance. So when Adriana and I arrived in Iguazu, we went to a show.

It was held at a casino, and when we arrived we were given some digital tokens to use in the gambling machines. Of course, the instructions were in Spanish. I watched Adriana win some money. When I sat down, I understood nothing—especially because I had never touched a gambling machine before. So I just pressed buttons, Homer Simpson style.

Slurp went all the digital tokens.

Easy come, easy go.

The performance, however, was a new experience and we enjoyed it. The dancers did both tango and gaucho styles. They demonstrated incredible athletic skill. We had a nice evening and enjoyed the novelty.

Emerald Lake

May 20, 2025Uncategorized#Argentina, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #IguazuFalls, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #39

We did not go to Emerald Lake. We were told it was a 2-hour hike in, and we did not have a day to dedicate to it.

However, on our flight to Iguazu Falls, I think I caught it on my camera.

Berry Ice Cream

May 18, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #BeagleChannel, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, #Ushuaia, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #37

I didn’t know that the town “El Calafate” was named after a small, dark-blue berry native to Patagonia. Jason and I slowly figured things out, and we both fell in love with the lavender-colored El Calafate ice cream.

Apparently, there is a legend that those who eat these berries will one day return to Patagonia, reminiscent of throwing a coin into the Trevi fountain in Rome.

So after that we had scoops whenever we were near an ice cream parlor that had some. I even found this flavor in Ushuaia.

Because these sweet-and-sour Magellan Barberries were out of season, I looked for dried berries. No luck.

I looked for teas containing dried El Calafate, and after much hunting did find some, mixed with other ingredients.

Bringing the tea home might help me with making that legend true. Argentina is full of delights!

Argentinian Food

May 15, 2025Events, Grief Journey#Argentina, #BeagleChannel, #bereavement, #Childloss, #drugdeath, #griefandhealing, #griefisreal, #griefjourney, #grieving, #grievingmother, #lifeafterloss, #losingachild, #losingalovedone, #loss, #opioidepidemic, #overdose, #OverdoseAwareness, #penguin, #Ushuaia, griefLosing Someone to Addiction

Post #36

I enjoy trying out new food… especially when it is a specialty for an area.

Being in Argentina, I had to try the steak, even though I rarely eat any. It was good.

Adriana Bertola introduced me to a “Submarino,” which is hot milk served with a chocolate bar to melt in it. A delicious twist on hot chocolate!

And she encouraged Perito and me to try Alfajor (cookie) Maicena (cornstarch), a cookie containing Dulce de Leche (caramel sauce). As Adriana would say, “It’s super delicious.”

Wow! Roll me out the door with an impending sugar coma.