After our day in Brazil viewing Iguazu Falls from the other side, we had a relaxing day at the hotel. It was our last full day at the falls, and unfortunately, I didn't feel that well. It may have been a combination of the heat, humidity, and different drinking water, or just being exhausted from the travel. We decided to spend the morning letting Alex splash around at the pool after breakfast.
I mentioned in an earlier post, that the pool was circular and a series of concentric circles getting deeper toward the middle. The pool was not terribly crowded, and Frank and Alexander happily splashing around the outside, shallow part, and swimming across. An elderly German man waded in on the opposite side, and evidently didn't realize how deep it got, and slipped under water. Before I knew what was happening, the lifeguard on duty was out of his chair, dove in, and fished the sputtering, flailing German out from the bottom of the pool. The man didn't lose consciousness and was grateful for the rescue, as he coughed and wheezed on the sidelines.
- Sit in your seat
- Talk quietly
- Eat your food
I spent the morning repeating the rules to him, and having him repeat them back. He had them committed to memory when we went to lunch, and we had a pleasant lunch together in the buffet restaurant.
I still didn't feel well, and decided not to go on an afternoon hike with Frank and Alexander, so they set out on an adventure of their own, while I took a nap in the room. After I woke up, I felt better, and decided to go down to the gift shops in lower level of the hotel.
I went back to the room to wait for Frank and Alex to return. And wait. And wait. I started worrying about them, but since I had no idea where they went, I couldn't exactly go out and look for them.
They finally got back near dinner time, and Frank was a sweaty, exhausted mess. They were going to take a boat ride, but Alexander didn't want to, so they took the train. They got off for a short hike, and then went back to the place where they were supposed to catch the bus to the hotel. They waited for nearly an hour for the bus, but it didn't come, so they had to walk several miles back to the hotel. Alexander got tired, so Frank ended up carrying him out.
Alexander perked up as soon as he got back to the room and was full of energy. I told him we were going to the restaurant, and that he would have to follow the rules. I asked him to repeat the rules, and he repeated them back to me. I was a little nervous about going to dinner, but when we got there, he settled down immediately, chanting the rules, and actually staying in his seat. Frank was amazed, and so was I.
Score 1 for Mom.
We packed up that night, and the next morning, we bid a sad farewell to Iguazu Falls. The majestic roar of the waterfalls, the quiet beauty of the rainforest, with its exotic flora and fauna, and the experiences we had as a family (both the good and the comical) changed all of us for the better. I don't know if we'll ever make it back there, but it's the kind of place that leaves an indelible impression on you, the kind that lasts a lifetime.
