July 2013 - Women Traveling Together

14 ◆ july 2013
Women Traveling Together ®
Chile, Argentina & Brazil ~ March 26-April 5, 2013
By Tour Leader Becky Clinton
It’s only a two hour time change from the east coast
of the US to South America, but it was a world upside down for
us. We left home with winter turning to spring and arrived in
Chile where summer was turning into autumn. Our friends and
families were experiencing freezing temperatures while we were
enjoying the warm sun of late summer. The leaves on the lovely
poplar trees were turning golden and pumpkins and Easter eggs
decorated the breakfast table!
In other ways, we felt completely at home. It didn’t take
us long to realize that our group of eleven women reflected the
diversity we found in Chile, Argentina and Brazil. We were a
melting pot of North America; in our band of eleven, at least
four ethnic groups and three of the world’s major religions were
represented. Lasting friendships were made almost instantly as
we shared experiences and stories. As we gathered one morning
for another adventurous day, I overheard a lady say, “I feel like
we’ve known each other forever,” and we all agreed.
Our trip was an ideal mix of big cities, charming coastal
towns and magnificent nature. In Buenos Aires, we attended a
tango show that revealed its history through dance, costumes
and drama and showed us that, in Argentina, tango is more than
a dance. It is a way of life with a culture all its own. The gaucho
appeared and took our breath away with his bolo dance. In Rio
de Janeiro, the dance is samba. It is less dramatic and more free
and easy than the tango which perfectly reflects the differences
in the lifestyles of Argentina and Brazil.
We shopped with the locals at street markets, fish markets,
vegetable markets and antique markets. Each one was a show in
itself with performers of one kind or another. There were tango
dancers at every sidewalk café, excellent Latin guitar duets on
the street corner, fish hawkers and samba dancers.
We tasted fruit that we thought we knew, but a mango
or banana grown locally tastes oh so much sweeter. We ate
fresh seafood in Chile, the world’s best beef in Argentina and
just-caught river fish in Brazil. And how can I talk about food
without mentioning dulce de leche! The sweet carmel-ly sauce
was everywhere...even on the breakfast buffet. We had to keep
reminding ourselves to slow down and savor the conversation
and the food. South Americans place an equal value on both.
Meals are joyful events where lunch begins at 2:00 or 3:00pm
and lasts two hours. No wonder the restaurants don’t open for
dinner until 8:00 and start filling up around 9:30.
We were charmed by the coastal towns of southern Chile
with stunning ocean views, colorful houses and narrow crooked
streets. In Buenos Aires, the quaint neighborhood of San Telmo
reminded us of back streets in Paris, but with a Latin twist.
Angelmo (Fish Market) in Chile.
When we visited Iguazu Falls, we were advised to take rain
gear. We did, but we got soaked anyway! We were so carried
away by the magnificence and grandeur of the falls, we walked
right out to the end of the trail, opened our arms wide and
welcomed the spray. The falls were all around us, even under
our feet as we walked over mesh bridges! And then we walked
another trail where we saw even more falls from a different
viewpoint, and then another trail! We were overcome by the
enormity, power and beauty of the falls. One would think we
couldn’t get closer, but we did on a small boat that took us right
up under the falls. Imagine women drenched by the falls, squealing
with delight, laughing and holding onto their hats and you
have a perfect picture of our group.
We found it easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro with its
pristine beaches, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer
sculpture blessing the city with outstretched arms. We could
hardly believe we were there, walking among these landmarks
recognizable the world over. A walk on the beach with the
waves splashing us and the sun setting behind the beautiful Rio
skyline made us so very grateful for the whole experience. Sitting
beachside, sipping coconut water from a hollowed out shell was
a perfect way to end the day with new friends.
Three countries, eleven friends, one vast continent, memories
to last a lifetime and no jet lag! Now that’s a recipe for a
fabulous vacation! v
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