My last day in Foz do Iguacu was bittersweet. The unassuming city housed one of the world’s greatest wonders that I feel privileged to have seen with my own eyes. But outside of that, Foz do Iguacu wasn’t made up of tourist attractions to keep visitors entertained. I spent more time in the local grocery store than sightseeing and honestly, I welcomed the reprieve. The lack of distractions forces you to slow down. It gave me a reason to start a new novel and listen to Adele’s new album while lounging on the pool deck of the hostel where I’m staying. Dressed in my favorite outfit, a loosely wrapped piece of fabric, I strolled through the courtyard accompanied only by a breeze and at that moment I felt absolute peace. In the weeks leading up to my 30th birthday, I have begun to reevaluate what it is that makes me happy, what constitutes fun, and for me this, this is it. Travel. Witnessing nature’s natural wonders. Sharing it with good people. I no longer need the nightclubs and thumping basslines when shared laughs over drinks will do. It’s not always about the turn up. The hands in the air, yelling across the room, dance like crazy good times of yesteryear. Don’t get me wrong, those days aren’t over. I just need fewer of them as my desires have matured along with me.

2 Comments
Soroya
November 27, 2015 at 2:13 PMMy visit to Iguacu was one of my all time favorites for the reasons you mentioned. I visited in 2009 after discovering it was one of the 7 natural wonders in the world and my friend just returned from a trip to Argentina and raved about it.
I spent about 2 days in Iguacu and wished I stayed longer. The hotel we stayed at had the perfect view of Brazil and Paraguay on either side. It was tropical and serene. We would walk into the Amal town for dinner and lunch – one place was a little local spot behind some store where we at some home made salami, cheese, olives, bread and Quillmes beer. So simple, so simple and so relaxing. One of the best destinations ever!
Sanura
December 4, 2015 at 8:53 AMSoroya your experience sounds awesome! I think it’s so amazing how Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina are all accessible from this on point and that’s reason enough to return. I only got to experience the Brazil side but I heard the Argentina side of the waterfalls are even more amazing. Simple and relaxing are the perfect words to describe Iguacu and it was the perfect note to start my trip.