Iguazu Falls

Let me re-emphasize that the article was quite good. Maybe you should change the name of this post to grammar analysis

Great review and pictures, Wizard! It's a pitty you didn't make it to the Brazilian side, maybe I am not the most advisable person to say, since I am passionated by the place. I live about 300 miles from the falls and I am used to visit Puerto Iguazu twice a year for shopping and gambling. Always that I have enough time I do to the Falls. There is a very famous ride, called Macuco Safari that is a little bit overpriced but is totally worth it. A good call is any of the resorts in the Cataratas Avenue, all inclusive system and very upscale.
Regarding the issue on a visa, I am totally annoyed by this kind of view that "border agents may let you in without a visa". I do not think that you should have considered it at all. 3rd world countries have rules, and they are as inforced as they are in the U.S.
The treatment you will get here will be very respectfull and fair. If you want to come to Brazil you may apply to a visa in a Brazilian Consulate in the United States, not in Argentina, since you live in the U.S
This reference to the visa waiver program is correct. Brazil is trying to get it from Obama and was trying to get it from Bush. I personally think that it will never happen, because even with our market growing a lot and our economy becoming stronger there will always be people wanting to go and stay in the U.S. ilegally. What a shame!
Take a look at this news -> http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-21/brazilians-buy-miami-condos-at-bargain-prices-after-45-surge-in-currency.html

Thanks for the kind words, aluiso.

For more on the border crossing, check out this forum. For example, this post

Quote: afz

I occasionally post my experience, that day trippers do not need a visa to enter any of Brazil's border cities (I've been to three, including FdI, without a visa), but I always get shouted down by people who have never done it but claim that I must be lying. I have no idea why this question is so controversial. As far as I know it is official Brazilian policy that anybody can enter about 20km or so in from the border on a day trip without a visa.

Please tell the people in Brazil to buy real estate in Las Vegas. Prices are 60%+ off their highs -- and still dropping, unfortunately for me.

Would you be interested in writing something for me about the Iguazu Grand casino? PM me if so.

Quote: aluisio

This reference to the visa waiver program is correct. Brazil is trying to get it from Obama and was trying to get it from Bush. I personally think that it will never happen, because even with our market growing a lot and our economy becoming stronger there will always be people wanting to go and stay in the U.S. ilegally. What a shame!

Well there are people from every country that want to stay in the US illegally. Greece keeps getting thrown in and out of the Visa Waiver Program. Not all of the EU countries are in the program. Ideally, it should just be a statistical analysis. Do visas keep out enough illegal immigrants that it is worth putting all the tourists through the trouble. The EU wants the visa waiver program extended to Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland and Romania so that no EU citizens need to fill out a visa.

Extreme politicians in the USA want to abolish the VWP entirely (in effect since 1988), so that even visitors from the UK have to apply for a visa. The argument is that terrorists will sneak into a country to take advantage of the program. See Abolish the Visa Waiver Program .

But the EU retaliates at the US for increased security measures. So it is not just Brazil and USA that have tiffs.

At any rate, basic facts about Brazil are not widely known in the USA. I think many Americans would be shocked to learn that half the people in South America do not speak Spanish. Brazil's fertility rate is only higher than that of the USA by 6%, and that small difference is predicted to close in the next ten years (according to US census department estimates). Brazil has a stable economy, and a solid middle class.

Thank you for recommending the ride.

This ride is awesome you should try! It's true that many facts are unknown about South America. When I lived in Harrisburg, PA, I used to have endless conversations about the myths people tell about Brazil, it was funny!

Quote: aluisio

When I lived in Harrisburg, PA, I used to have endless conversations about the myths people tell about Brazil, it was funny!

Harrisburg is planning to declare bankruptcy and throw themselves on the mercy of the state.