through Argentina for almost the entire width (1570 km), from Salta to Puerto Iguazu for more from the scenic spot of the bus is a little 'how about having an idea deep in Argentina, the endless space, endless fields of people moving on horseback, gauchos improvised but realistic, countries and cities, however great, are lost in the midst of all these distances uninhabited by humans, and only the kingdom of plants and animals.
The landscape changes several times in this country so great and so varied, from the province of Salta to that of Missiones. It 's a journey through space but also a journey back in time, where land is still the primary asset. It is bordering parks, sometimes dozens of birds of prey are there high in the sky, glide without moving their wings, with the grace and elegance that is just them, it seems almost natural, fly, did so, it seems that will not take much.
The roads are not always good, sometimes the bus is forced to slow down a lot to avoid damage from holes or from the asphalt ruined. But in any case, when it gets dark, firmly occupies the center of the road, so there's always a little traffic and so you have more space to avoid any potholes and animals.
Among colleagues, then, we always salute, blinking. The terminal
cities are always alive, even at night, there's always some people waiting omnibus and some open office. Sometimes the bar / restaurants are crowded even in the night.
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The trip runs off smoothly, because the bus is almost empty (I had to take the cama but it was full, much better than this semi-cama empty ...). Arriving in the morning in Posadas, I scroll through the whole region of Misiones to get to Puerto Iguazu. I was very hesitant, in fact, if you use the last days before the week bonairense to go south in the province of San Juan, in what is called the "Valley of the Moon", or Iguazu. Convinced me three things: that the valley of the moon is on Route 40, and then hope to pass on another trip soon. The second is a promise I made to go see the waterfalls. The third is that in fact the time was right, and because it is the suffocating heat that makes the summer, and because I had read that there are guided tours at night in full moon nights like this one.
So here it is, Misiones, a region of forest and plantation yerba mate, the mania of Argentina which I will talk soon, natural parks (he has three) and rivers that feed into and mark the boundaries of this land that stretches between Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay.
The names of the countries here are similarities all completely dissociated: Baden Baden, Eldorado, Jesus, Puerto Rico, Monte Carlo ... It reminds me of the vegetation that the Tropic of Capricorn is a very close ... Arriving in Puerto Iguazu
after nearly 27 hours by bus, some 'tried and in fact, having dribbled skillfully types of HI, I can get from one type to see a residencial near the terminal, and eventually take it well: it is really very good at, but the location is great and then it only costs 50 pesos (10 €) including breakfast ...
pity, because in reality the hostel here was great, even with a beautiful swimming pool and lounge areas, but of course I found out later ...
Behold, then, in the mythical land of waterfalls, the most visited place in Argentina with Buenos Aires and Ushaia. The unique, in fact, after the capital, where I happened to hear speak Italian.
Soon the story of the falls.
But I take the long journey to tell of one of two things most often found along the streets of Argentina: the sanctuaries full of red flags of the "gaucho" Antonio Gil.
The history of the gaucho, which dates back to the last century, is a typical example of how to live together here a strong religious and pagan cults, not only in Indian but in the whole population.
Antonio Gil, who lived gaucho, has an affair with a widow and is drawn to the hatred of her brother and especially the chief of police, also in connection with the widow. To escape the wrath of the two, Gil enlists and fights the war against Paraguay (we are only half of the 800). When they return, they call for civil war in Argentina, but this time Gil desert along with two other soldiers. The three roam the countryside and woods, stealing cattle from the rich landowners and share with the poor peasants, who in return offer them protection and shelter. Eventually, however, are found in a forest and Gil was sentenced to death. Before being killed the policeman who tells him that if he has to bury executed (this is not possible for those sentenced to death) and pray you can heal her son from certain death. The Executioner, who still does not know that his son is actually sick, not by listening. But then he discovers that his son is indeed seriously ill, and then Gil returns to bury his son and prays to heal. The son heals quickly, the officer builds a shrine to Gil and spread the news of the miracle spread the legend of the gaucho who performs miracles and that he saved the life of a child of his Executioner.
Since then, every few kilometers on the roads there Argentinian There are thousands of small and large shrines, and then turn to the "saint" (which obviously is not such) for large and small miracles. In particular, travelers, when passing in front of a shrine must either honk, or make the sign of the cross, or in any other way to greet the gaucho, otherwise delays, setbacks or even impossible to arrive at your destination ... January 8, the anniversary of the death, there is even a huge procession that attracts hundreds of thousands of people. There's even a site with the songs of Gil, and if you want you can ask for a miracle online ....... ( www.gauchogil.com ).
Then I will tell you the other shrine that is also competition to that of the Gaucho Gil, the difunto Correa.
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