Paraguay, Part VI

We are back at the hotel now, and the trip was incredible. We did wake up at an insanely early hour, and enjoyed a very good local bread along the way, as well as some of the famous yerba mate, a delicious beverage that Paraguayans can't seem to get enough of. We had the cold kind, called tesere, that was cool and bitter. I wish I could bring some home.To our relief, they didn't stop us at the Paraguay-Brazil border, so technically we were illegals in Brazil. As a result,we didn't have to pay the nasty 60 dollar visa (broad smile). We had lunch at an all-you-can-eat buffet that actually had some of the hummus I had started to miss.Going to the Iguassu falls was an amazing experience. The Yosemite falls look like a hotel shower in comparison. The sound is indescribable, more thunderous than a thousand choirs. In addition, there were butterflies of all colors everywhere, landing on people and railings, decorating the place like gems. This creature that looked like an ROUS (Rodent Of Unusual Size, if you haven't seen The Princess Bride) came right up to people to eat whatever food a person would give them.We had supper at a pizzeria where you pay a flat fee, then they bring pizza to you and you decide whether or not to take it, as much pizza as you want. They had all kinds of flavors, including this unusual but tasty banana pizza. I wonder if I can make it back in the States.We stayed the night in the dorm of an Adventist college, which gave me a profound sympathy for the students who must live there when they're not on break. We left at another insanely early hour of the morning to come back to Asuncion, and slept most of the way. We had lunch at their version of a mall, and I was amazed to hear that a movie ticket only costs about 5 USD here, and lunch was only 3 USD. It was a good lunch, too.Anyway, we've been relaxing at the hotel for the last few hours, with unsuccessful (on my part) attempts to tan. In a few minutes, we'll go and enjoy a tour of the center of the city by our driver from the trip to Iguassu. I'm glad to hear how well so many of you are doing, and hope that things continue to improve.