A one-hour ferry ride takes us from Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since we’re in the area, let’s chase the solar eclipse!

I thought about taking Tango lessons, but where would I ever Tango? Nah, let’s eat. One cannot go wrong with “Bife’ de Chorizo” in this land full of meat and pastry. Each time we tried a seafood dish it turned into a disaster. Our cholesterol levels must be rising off the charts after traveling for two months in South America.

In a restaurant up on the 21^st floor, we have an eagle’s view of massive Buenos Aires and a great seat for the solar show.

We watch the moon catch up with the sun and begin to shade it, as if it’s in a race with the clouds to cover our view.

Then the eclipse shows itself to us through a break in the clouds!

Darkness descends for several moments, followed by bright lights as the sun returns from the shade of the moon and the cover of clouds.

Too cold to sit at outdoor cafés, we walk endless streets, passing sculptures, visiting museums, churches, and the planetarium.

We were dying to visit the Ricoleta Cemetery, where many of Argentina’s elite lie in extravagant mausoleums, including Eva Peron, though we couldn’t find her tomb.

Let’s fly into the jungle to Iguazu Falls, a spectacular site we missed during past travels in this land.

Although it’s winter “off-season,” nobody told the crowds. I have a fear of crowds. Especially when too many people crowd a short, confined catwalk and there’s no escape in sight.

As we walk the “Superior Trail” along the upper section of the Iguazu Falls system, I panic, which makes me try to zigzag and zoom my way around the mass of humans, only to reach one group after another. (I would not even try to visit Disneyland)

Poor Marilynn tries to keep up with me and loses chances for photos. We see the falls, and I zoom back to where I can breathe. Okay, that was day one. I promise her that I’ll get a grip, mellow out, and ease along with the mass of humans tomorrow.

The next day we leave early morning and try to beat the crowds.

We walk the outer trail and avoid the tourist train to “The Devil’s Throat,” the most monumental waterfall of the Iguazu cascades system.

It doesn’t matter, the crowds are already here.

But I mellow out, prepared from yesterday’s reconnaissance mission, and we enjoy fantastic views, take in nature’s beauty, and even return smiles.

Much better this way. I guess it’s called giving in, accepting. Harder for some of us to do than it is for others. We all have certain fears, right? It’s part of the reality of travel.

Watch Iguazu falls on short video by clicking here: video 

Back to Buenos Aires, we feel like we’ve been here, done that. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fabulous city and fantastic place to visit. But we walked over sixty miles of this city and sat in numerous cafés eating meat and pastry and drinking beer and wine with crowds and infinite screaming babies. A traveler just knows when it’s time to go. Besides we are COLD! Let’s go to Columbia for beaches, seafood and some warmth.

Thank you, Abundant Universe!