hey guys,..
we got lazy and didn´t keep updating the english version of our blog (in fact, the spanish one is delayed as well,...but not that much).
So we apologize, but the solution was to add a Translation Bar in the Spanish blog, so you can read it in bad english, and above all, see the pictures.
Sorry about that, and enjoy

spanish version: hastalatinoamericaymasalla.blogspot.com

Uruguay, the great unknown

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is a country located in southeastern South America. The country, with an area of more than 176,000 km ², is the second smallest continent after Suriname and bounded on the north and northeast Brazil and the west by Argentina. On the south coast is on the Rio de la Plata, which separates it from the province of Buenos Aires and Buenos Aires, and the Southeast, has coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean.
This is what Wikipedia says. The reality: Uruguay is a tiny piece of land next to two countries that five times the size of Europe as well as being vastly depopulated - a part of the capital Montevideo, so that seems to be forsaken of God.
In many ways, reminded us of Ireland: The interior tour of empty roads and between km and miles of plains in which only a few cows and sheep appear from time to time. Its coastline is beautiful, full of lovely beaches but safe construction of the maelstrom that has been under, say an example, the Spanish coast.
Uruguay has far exceeded our expectations, although not known, is an ideal place for a relaxing holiday, with warm weather without being scorching, and a lot of things to do in your spare time. Cheap, and food, although with much Spanish influence, not bad.
However, what we liked most of the country were the Uruguayans, and that where we were treated us with sympathy and kindness that was a pleasure. Several people welcomed us into their homes, in different parts of the country, and each of them we felt a bit like in our house.
The highlight of our private visit was Cabo Polonio (and vicinity). It is a protected area, a concentration of dunes, walking along the beach from markers is incredible, and get to the lighthouse is encouraging to see the sea lions near the lighthouse. A shame that the Navy has repobldo the area, without giving any "second thought" and have cut the natural movement of the dunes, believing that they are doomed to extinction.
On the other, Punta del Este is more like Miami but with Argentinos (! Is that they are everywhere!), Colonia del Sacramento is a charming colonial city, and reminds us that he lived Montevideo better times, with its decadent beauty (and the longest carnival in the world).
PS: The winner of the first contest "hastalatinoamericaymasalla ...." has been ......
BETTY BOOP, but it hairs. When asking about him, nobody knew him well qeue think we have made with banana and pineapple. But at a time a man appeared and proved Fabian, after the initial questions of rigor (what I know? Who are you?) Went to the point, to see if we took a few innings. In principle, the missionary thought. But then we saw our faces and pulled the 0 weights. After thanking him and the pride of work well done, we went to enter the park. And in this, that a person in the group (obviously the name), being educated said "obrigada" (thank you in Portuguese) and the box office, he was thinking and asked, "Excuse me do you, where are you?" ..... .... ..... after a few seconds of panic, which seemed like hours, answer "From Spain." And the next question was more direct "What do you do with this post?" ... um ... um ... um ... Until a voice said, "is that we know ..!!" Fabian and then the gates of heaven are opened for all and we had no more problems ... Osease, who entered as under 6 years old, or disabled or living in Puerto Iguazu or Andresito. 

misiones

Today we step 3 countries: Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Cross Paraguay, and a physical journey (6 hours, 3 more than the schedule, Rompeculos seat and all kinds of bugs living in them) has been a journey in time (the bus was modern in the '50s, sales were approaching to stop selling everything - socks, shirts, food, drink .. - and poverty was evident at the roadside).
For our restlessness Argentina reached the border late in the afternoon. And Guest planted our base camp. The chill-out hostel so there was no custom of closing the doors or windows, so that mosquitoes blood rituals practiced with us without problems. What a night!!
The next morning we visited the Jesuit missions in the area. The mission of Santa Ana, which is much less touristy, the guides are turning to the few visitors with extensive explanations and details about Jesuit life and native Guarani.
At night we attended the spectacle of "Lights and Sounds" in San Ignacio. It was somewhat surprising because we did not expect such a display of different means. The general view is that of charm.
The next day we went to Leandro N. Alem, home of a doctor Basque Eneko, and her partner, Mamen, and were shown their self-management project, in addition to its support for the community and school health. It was just a day, but intense and exploited, where we learned a lot from them and a couple (based in guipizkoa) than with their 2 children, aged 8 and 10, are touring the world (OTI and PETER AUPA !!!).
the solution to the riddle of the previous entry, in the near future! thanks for participating.

Iguazu Falls

Our next destination was Foz de Iguazu. Alli Gauinara Scouts welcomed us. As we had contact Kiko and Ricardo, friendly as could be.
From them we learned that the 400,000 residents of Foz lead a peaceful life despite the squabbles between drug gangs and the Argentine and Paraguayan border controls. And that the existence of the free port of Ciudad del Este (Paraguay city where you can buy all sorts of products obvious discomfort as taxes) makes living here more than fun.
For here too there are "falls" or "jumps" of water to the already known, congratulations, for which not only say it is something indescribable in words, pictures or videos. You have to see and enjoy all the water for Flip. There are 2 parks, Brazil and Argentina, each with its spectacular corners.
On the Argentinean side asked by Fabian, the ranger friend of the fruit of the previous entry. After asking several people, finally came. Commenting on our encounter with the fruit, there we arranged some tickets priced "friend" and with them we enter the park (not before having a scare by being too nice).
Game: discover which of these prices we pay!! accepting bets in the comments .. the solution in the next inning and was dealt a surprise among the winners !!!!!

From iguzu precios

Curitiba

Last week we discovered a city that neither appears nor appear in turistic prospectus We suffered a tremendous shock the moment they arrive: the usual temperature instead betrayed us as tourists for wearing shorts but no umbrella They say it rains constantly and the city itself is not attractive, but the legacy of the high rate of German immigration in the past are the factories, the low unemployment and the perfect organization of the transport system.
Here in Curitiba we had our first experience 'surfcouching'. We were the excuse for the university that hosted us to organize a party (without barbecue because of the rain ... this until reminded Galicia). We had a chance to eat at the oldest university in the country, making us go through 'teachers' , for 1.30 reals (60centimos euro) in light of european prices. Igor turned 1 old aspiration and prepare an omelet with  potato chips, with which Montse and Belen was pleasantly surprised, although it was the Brazilians who finished with the 3 omelettes, sucking their fingers.
They were our new friends that we recommend Camboriu.There are some beaches, we went without accommodation in advance, although it found us accommodation in the form of contacts with a motorist apartment 5 minutes from the central beach.
At first glance, this seems to Benidorm, full of tourists from Argentina, but after a good walk find nice and quiet beaches, although there is no shade, there will always be some stall with umbrella.
That evening in the super struck up conversation with a shelf, who gave us the name of-friend who worked at Park Falls, so that when we were there we can say hello him.

Dictionary

Practical Dictionary of the lessons learned during these 3 weeks.
"Potunhol" and Galician is not enough.

Soon = It will happen between the next 12 to 24 hours.

Timetable = theory of relativity

Bus stop = may or may not passing buses. May or may not stop.

Timeliness = something that everyone has heard but no one has seen

Visitors Center = information here???

Information Center Workers = those who ask others when asked. They are reported with your questions.

Corroborate information =to  ask several times and / or multiple sources without receiving the same answer. It is right and necessary.

Safe driving = what??? when???

Taxi fare = Turkish bazaar

Cry of a child  = European eccentricity (for here is very rare to hear one)

 Temperature = warm = 25 to 30 degrees

"Gift" peddler = and then pay me now

Hips = partly independent of body movement and always keeps pace. Unknown to Europeans hip plaster.

Play tricks = something innate in Latin countries to avoid paying a service (say this because we had practiced earlier in espanha).

Salvador - Rio - mas alla

We have uploaded photos of both the Carnival of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. We have many photos of the carnival itself because there are custom that, among so many, you are "registered" from carving up the brand of underwear. We like the warmth but not so much. Especially if there is a possibility that you end up with no belongings.
After a week in Salvador, finally ended up in Rio (and 5 hours of waiting in 1 called airport). If you fly to Rio we advise you to fly at the window to see the city from the plane.
Rio surprises us by how different it is from Salvador: great city, many white people, more tourists, feeling of increased purchasing power (at least where we went). And curiously not stopped us every 3 minutes to ask, or sell something. have something to do with the Olympic Games in 2016?.
From Ipanema beach we stayed with the sunset and surfers, from Copacabana beach and the typical Flamingo postcards with great atmosphere. The Christ of Corcovado with breathtaking views of the city, but so many people that it was mission impossible for a photo opportunity "alone with Christ" but finally we managed to take 1 photo where we are recognized. The Sugar Loaf is a view from the other side of town with fewer tourists, and even rest in Pequenho forests have on top.
But the highlight of our stay was on Saturday night. Thanks to 1 apt observation of 1 driver, found that Carnival had not been completed yet (a week later). We paid 20 euros for the cheapest ticket to Sambodromo. It is highly recommended, because in the latter see the carnival parade of the 6 best dance schools. For an hour and a half still sounds the same song as long as each school has to move through the Sambodromo (street about 800 yards short and bleachers on both sides).
Second recommendation: bring cooler to endure 9 hours of spectacle, to us, we got the stupidity of bringing beer and ice trapped buy everything in 1 bag ... which liamos!! do not count the end of the story.
We escaped to Rio soon going to Itatiaia National Park, the oldest and worst organized. Here is the montanha over Brazil ... or Rio, who knows - They do not, of course. Thanks to the kindness of taxi driver took us to the top of the park by a winding road almost impassable, to the base of the montanha. was worth it !!!!!
Here we learned that you should not see anything in the second fair, ie Monday. Yet we saw a waterfall and lake. After you find that in the third exhibition (Tuesday) either.
For the moment nothing else, well yes, one last recommendation, if you come here and burn the sun, remember to specify (or check) to buy "after sun" as it is for white fur or pink tone will be artificial with that just do not feel happy ..... "This told us about a friend" ... ahem, ahem ..