Michelle Kingston
I am a big city girl with a small town heart. I am a writer, a dreamer, an athlete, a shopper, a world traveler, a photographer, and inspired by all things beautiful.
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Info
- City and Municipal Reporter/Multimedia JournalistOnline Media | Greater Boston Area, USExperience
- Aug 2012 - PresentCity and Municipal Reporter / Foster's Daily Democrat
Report on all issues and events occurring in the city of Dover, New Hampshire from city council meetings, business openings and concerts to breaking news, fires and police reports. Newspaper circulation: 30,000.
- Jul 2012 - Aug 2012Freelance Reporter / Weekly Sentinel
- 2012 - Jul 2012Multimedia Blogger & Photographer / Race Across America
Photographed the 3,000 mile bicycle race from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland from a media van using a Nikon D200. Tweeted, posted to Facebook and blogged breaking news, photographs and sound clips 24 hours a day for two weeks. Worked hand-in-hand with the videographer, assisting with shots, story ideas and daily video packages.
- Jan 2012 - May 2012Reporter Intern / The Georgetowner
Researching, reporting, interviewing and writing content for the bi-weekly tabloid-size newspaper that reaches the affluent D.C. community with a circulation of 40,000 while focusing on topics ranging from politics to food.
- Sept 2011 - Jan 2012Blogger / ChicagoNow of the Tribune Media Group
Write, research, develop and broadcast a weekly online news blog post featuring video content, polls, and unique writing styles to engage readers.
- Aug 2011 - Nov 2011Junior Executive of Public Relations / The San Jose Group
Produced press releases, media alerts, fact sheets, and pitches. Assisted in planning events, activities, and media arrangements. Participated in company meetings and presentations. Promoted the company by increasing online social media traffic to client’s sites. Intern of the month awarded in September for stellar performance.
- Nov 2009 - Apr 2010Publicity and Marketing Intern / Andrea Gems
Implemented marketing plans, conducted intensive research for potential show cases, and created Facebook and Twitter accounts and newsletters to provide accessible communication between the public and the company. Promoted events and planned trunk shows.
Education-
2012 - 2012Washington Media Institute
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2008 - 2012Loyola University of ChicagoB.A. in Communication Studies
Activities: International Association of Business Communicators & Dean's Student Council -
2011 - 2011Universidad Alberto HurtadoSpanish
Activities: Attended a study abroad Spanish immersion program in Santiago, Chile from January 2011- July 2011 where I increased my foreign language skills in Spanish-speaking literature and history courses and taught English to high school students in the city.
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Interests:Broadcast Media, Online Media, Social Media, Print Journalism, & Public Relations
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Posts
- Mar 17, 12
“You are one of those people who goes places in life.” -Anonymous
Communications, PR, social media and journalism are my passions and I feel very lucky to know what I love and what I want to pursue at just 23 years old.I’m persistent, curious, determined, passionate, trustworthy, creative, honest and hardworking.I have worked as a PR junior executive, a multimedia blogger, photographer, reporter, sales associate and a marketing assistant. I know what it takes to run a company effectively and understand how important it is to display my strongest qualities like my organizational skills, friendly and outgoing personality and positive attitude on top of my strong writing skills.After graduating from Loyola University in May of 2012, studying abroad in South America and interning in Washington, D.C. as a reporter for a biweekly magazine, I returned home to New England to report at one of New Hampshire’s best local newspapers.Please read my previous blogs & work samples.I encourage you to review my resume and contact me if you are interested in discussing a position in communications further with me.
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Posts
- Jul 18, 11
With sandy toes and sunkissed shoulders back home in Maine, it is hard to remember that just three weeks ago I was in winter weather conditions in Santiago, Chile sleeping with 2 pairs of socks, layers of sweaters, and mittens on my hands.
When I look at photos or text my friends from my study abroad program now (who have all made it home safely), memories flood my mind. I don’t regret a single moment of my entire journey in South America. Although I must say, it is pretty damn nice to be back in the Seacoast!
Adjusting back to the USA hasn’t been difficult, but when I landed in Miami, “gracias” “está bien” and “que rico” came out of my mouth a little too often for a few days. Once I got back to Maine, however, English started to flow well again.
So, I must apologize for the HUGE delay. Down in Santiago, I couldn’t get enough of my blog. I loved writing and adding photos and informing everyone about my journey. Since I’ve been home, I’ve been enjoying every minute with friends and family, running, surfing, and working. I haven’t had any interest in writing at all! However, Maine is having its first rainy day since I’ve been back (yes, be jealous, it has been a wonderful summer so far!) and I think it is time to inform you about my last week in South America.
Peru
My best friends, warm days, cool nights, Incan ruins, tropical fruit galore, llamas on the hillside, and an indescribable feeling of belonging, tranquility or happiness that I have yet to put my finger on.
Grace, Ceci, Sammy, Alex, and I left Santiago at 2:30 a.m. and spent 36 hours traveling by taxi, plane, and bus to get to our first destination of Ollantaytambo.
Ollantaytambo is the only inhabited Incan village that exists today in Southern Peru. It had cute cobblestone walkways, quaint shops, and great restaurants. However, we can’t really say that all the restaurants were great, since we ate at the same one everday, Hearts Cafe. 100% of profits go towards supporting children in the local communities.
We spent our first day hiking Puncamarca and spotting cows, donkeys, bulls, horses, llamas, pigs, and dogs along the way.
The next morning we took a 5:40 am train ride to Machu Picchu. We forgot about the hour time difference between Peru and Chile when we set our alarms the night before. We ended up waking up an hour earlier than we needed to. I had my outfit on, my teeth brushed, and my contacts in when Grace knocked on the bathroom door and quietly and apologetically told me that it was only 2:30am. We laughed and hopped back in to bed.
Machu Picchu is a stone city dating back to 1400 AD. It was mysteriously abandoned shortly after it was built. It has been named one of The New 7 Wonders of the World. It is pretty obvious why:
The following day we headed to Cusco. The day after, we were supposed to head to Lake Titicaca and do a homestay with a local family on an island on the lake. However, a nearby town to Lake Titicaca was full of miners protesting. At the time we heard the news, 40 had been injured and 6 civilians were dead. Needless to say, there were no busses running to this part of Peru and we had to cancel this portion of our trip.
We stayed in Cusco for a few extra days instead and it was probably one of the best decisions we had ever made. Cusco was incredibly cool, for lack of a better word. If I ever come back to South America, I hope I can return to Cusco. It has beautiful architechture, is surrounded by mountains, and is full of hundreds of backpackers from all over the world and an indigenous culture that fascinated me.
On top of it all, we stayed at the most wonderful hostel we had seen since arriving in South America. Pariwana had hot showers, comfy and warm beds, a full restaurant and bar, games, ping pong, a courtyard, beanbag chairs and lawn furniture, and tons of really interesting people. When we first walked in, we were baffled by all the people wearing “real” clothes like skirts, dresses, strappy sandals, and make-up. We were approached within our first 15 minutes in the hostel by a guy who asked if we were on a volleyball team. I can hope it was because of our height and good looks, but most likely it was because of our attire, sweat, and muddy sneakers. Oops.
Our time in Cusco consisted of a lot of walks and peaking in storefronts, tasting the culture, and a sketchy horseback riding experience where my dear friend, Sammy, was bit by Grace’s horse (she is fine now!).
Before heading back to Santiago, we made one more stop to Peru’s most wealthy city and second most visited city, Arequipa. Stopping here the day before we head back to Chile cut our travel time up a bit and helped us adjust back to some more civilization and modernity, as most of the places we visited in Peru were very poor. We took a bus tour of the city to learn about it in just a few short hours as we didn’t have much time to explore the beautiful place. I joked that we just love to spend time on busses. Joke being the main word in the sentence.
The next day we returned to our host families in Santiago after anothing long day of traveling by bus, bus transfer (that got a flat tire and made us wait 4 hours on the side of a middle of nowhere street before finally changing the flat), and plane.
Returning to Santiago was bittersweet. I was sad that my unforgettable trip to Peru with my friends was over, but knowing I was returning home to the USA just 2 days later made me REALLY happy.
Saying Adios To Everyone Who Helped Me Grow
On July 1 I sat around my host house with my host family and best friends and reminisced about our entire journey, played Spoons, ate my host mother’s good cooking, and drank a lot of wine to gear me up for the 8 hour flight I had ahead of me.
I didn’t feel anything during those few hours. I couldn’t fathom that I was actually leaving.
Then, the clock struck 8:17. My taxi was picking me up in just 13 minutes. I went to my 2×2 room and grabbed my bags. I said goodbye to my white brick walls and returned to the main room in the house to find my entire host family and friends standing in a long line ready for hugs and kisses and final goodbyes. This is when the tears began to flow.
I gave 12 hugs, kisses, and “I love yous” before reaching my 13th fellow. My little Gonzalo grabbed my leg and wouldn’t let go. He kept his head down when he handed me a small gift and 2 cards. He looked up at me to tell me “Te quiero” (I love you) when I handed him his gift. I walked out to the taxi and watched them all run out to continue waving and sending me air kisses until the driver took off. Gonzalo ran down his street behind the transfer until I turned left onto Av Los Dominicos.
I cried all the way to the airport. Memories, moments, struggles, battles, friends, family, achievements, goals, and lessons learned all clouded over my mind as I hopped on to my flight to Miami.
South America, you treated me well.
Besos,
Michelle
- Jul 01, 11
I returned from Peru on Wednesday morning with all the intentions and energy to post photos and write about the incredible journey I had with my friends, but the internet in my house has been out all week.
Instead, I write to you now from the airport, on Friday evening, awaiting my departure back to the USA.
I promise I will update you on Peru as soon as I get some free time. However, right now, I am too busy keeping the tears from dripping on my keyboard.
Hugs and kisses to everyone who has made my time here worth it. Carmen, Jorge, Fernanda, Felipe, Diego, Juan Pablo, Florencia, Grace, Ceci, Alex, Sammy, and extra Xs and Os to my little guy, Gonzalo.
Besos,
Michelle
- Jun 21, 11
- Jun 18, 11
In January, we went to my Dad’s house in Florida for New Years. I had an awfully bad sinus infection during the vacation. When I returned from my trip, I had just a few days to heal, pack and get ready to leave for Chile. I washed my hankies just in time to pack them in my bags, knowing I’d need them again in June.
My colds are like clock work: Every January and every June.
Well, today is June 18, and guess what?
It rained all day and it going to continue to rain for the rest of the weekend, kind of like my nose.
- Jun 16, 11
Today started off like any other Chilean day. I went inside the kitchen to turn the hot water on, chatted with my host mother and my maid about my night (Go Bruins!) and headed back to my room to shower and get ready while they prepared my breakfast (yes, it took me a while to get used to this, but, after 5 months of it, you learn to enjoy getting taken care of and the awkwardness of it all seems to fade away).
I headed out for my hour long journey on the subway to the school where I volunteer. When I reached my destination, I met up with my volunteer partner, (and friend!) Grace, and the two of us headed inside.
We were notified when we arrived that class had actually been cancelled because the students were off protesting downtown.
This might sound new and interesting to you, but we have been hearing about the students, the protests, and the education issues in Chile since we arrived in January.
This might also sound frustrating and irritating that we commuted all that way for nothing, but we have been dealing with these issues since we arrived in January as well. After five months, we’ve learned that time doesn’t mean a thing and we shouldn’t really ever worry about anyone but ourselves and nobody’s schedule but our own (that has been a bit difficult since we all have a few nice bones in our body).
The two of us decided it was a waste of time to go back to our houses since our Thursday class was to begin in just three hours. We headed back towards our school and planned to grab lunch before class.
The bus that normally takes us from the school we volunteer at to our university took a random turn during the journey, so Grace and I jumped off immediately and decided to just walk the rest of the way. We were close and the sun was out and we weren’t really interested in getting lost on another city bus.
As we got closer to our university and closer to La Moneda (basically the White House of Chile), we noticed an increase in Carabineros (Ministry of National Defense). We began hearing some shouting and could see that the protest was just a few hundred feet ahead of us.
Not sure on what side of the street to walk, we continued walking ahead with the crowd of businessmen ahead of us, thinking, if they are walking this way, we should be fine, too!
It was an easy walk and no shoving was necessary. Grace and I were actually happy we were brave enough to walk forward, as it was neat to see so many students fighting for what they believed they deserved: free public education.
We got to our restaurant, had lunch, and headed towards school when we noticed the main road was blocked off. The protest was over, but the cleaning was just beginning. We managed to get through, but we had to tip-toe and walk carefully; the streets were covered in broken glass, sticks, street signs, water, spray paint, lemons, trash, and a ton of Carabineros.
The protest might have ended, but our eventful day had not.
We arrived to Universidad Alberto Hurtado and gathered in a circle with the other exchange students to talk about what was going on earlier, when all of the sudden, students began running throughout the university and covering their noses.
Apparently, someone threw tear gas in to the quad. We ran up the stairs to our fourth floor classroom, gasping for breath as our eyes watered, our hands shook, and everything became slightly out of focus.
After a slight panic attack and clenching on to Grace, we all made it upstairs to our classroom. Paying attention to our professor was obviously a struggle as we all did not understand what had just happened, why it had happened, or the reasoning behind our school not notifying the students or informing us on the danger and precautions of coming to the university today.
Either way, it is another newsworthy blogpost, a check off a list of things to do, and another experience I have survived.
Besos,
Michelle
- Jun 12, 11
And then, there we were: Standing in the kitchen at a party giggling, holding back tears, and reminiscing about the past five months we’ve had together.
Five months.
I’ve climbed a volcano, gone whitewater rafting, toured some of the world’s best vineyards, seen numerous glaciers, ziplined, backpacked, and, okay, I’ll admit it, learned a hell of a lot of spanish.
But none of that really adds up to much when I think about the best thing that has happened to me down here: I’ve made incredible new friendships.
There are 23 students in my program, and I have memories and stories about them all. However, there are 4 girls who are like family to me now. Grace, Alex, Sammy, and Ceci are the best things that have happened to me on this trip. I never thought you could get so close to a group of girls so quickly (especially me), but when you are placed 5,300 miles away from home and don’t know a soul, opposites attract and friends find each other fast.
It didn’t take Grace and I long to hit it off. She can be impatient, get moody when she is hungry, and likes to be on time. So, as you can imagine, we stuck together during our February vacation with too many girls with too many personalities because ours were so similar! Before we left on that trip, Ceci and I were told we were the divas of the group. Grace told me when we returned in March that I surprised her. She saw past the girly ‘tude and realized I had quite an athletic side to me (okay, that might be pushing it). She has been like my other half down here. I can tell you 10+ facts about her family members and best friends and she can do the same about mine. She is beside me in every other picture I’ve taken down here. Between our weekend getaway to the beach, the trip to Atacama, Lollapalooza, keeping up with Sammy on the hikes in Torres del Paine, and both being proud members of Small Tent (you had to be there), paseo lovers, and much more, I consider Grace one of my best friends and hopefully one that I’ll see often back in Chicago.
Alex is not just another blond hair blue-eyed Midwestern chick. She also isn’t saying good-bye to study abroad as soon as we are. Ms. Scharf is jetting off to Rome at the end of August to study abroad again! She is loyal, kind, and generous and always has my back. When I think of Alex ten years from now, I’ll think of the silly way she speaks spanish, the day she taught me how to play guitar and I taught her how to knit, and my personal favorite, our cab ride home from Blondie.
Sammy is intelligent, sweet, and super witty. Although she loves having a good time, tea, coffee, Coke, and sleeping late are what help define her to me. The two of us became friends over travel books. We were the only two who used our books on our vacations to plan the trips, find places to go, and, okay, only I did this but: give the history of the upcoming city and its culture. Sammy is majoring in biology and absolutely loves animals. She is always petting the stray dogs! Whenever I see something cute, animals or objects, it is always fun to see Sammy’s eyes light up and hear her AWWWWWing.
They say people come in and out of your life at certain times for certain reasons. Ceci came in to my life at the exact moment I needed her most: the beginning of this trip! Ceci’s host father is my host mother’s brother. When her host family went away for 2 weeks in January, Ceci stayed at my host house. Ceci is from Mexico, so Spanish was obviously her first language. She helped me bond with my host family and taught me copious amounts of Spanish. When I first got here, I couldn’t even tell what my host family was saying when they asked me how my day was. I learned more Spanish during the time she lived in my host house than I did in an entire semester at Loyola. She also has taught us all a lot of slang that has become very much a part of our daily vocabulary. The best word to describe Ceci, to me, is strong. It isn’t easy to get to know Ceci as she isn’t willing to open her book up to just anyone, but I am so glad I was let in. She knows so much about so many things that I don’t. She is always sending me news articles about topics that never interested me before, but that I now know are so important to advocate.
Let’s not forget about my host family! Carmen, Jorge, Fernanda, Felipe, Diego, Juan Pablo, Florencia, and Gonzalo have made a huge impact on my experience in Santiago as well. From the day I walked out of the airport and was greeted by a beautiful mother and the cutest little kid I’ve ever seen, I knew I was going to be loved and taken care of here. In January, Fernanda, Felipe, Diego, and Juan Pablo went out with my friends and I to bars and clubs and we bonded over funny stories from the night before and got to know each other over Piscolas. The late nights out, knocks on my door for late night snacks and chat sessions were great, but the best relationship I had was with my little guy, Gonzalo. He might be 11 years younger, but he was the best teacher! He helped me learn so many new words, card games, and magic tricks. One morning before my January session class, Gonzalo handed me a piece of paper with over 50 verbs written on it. We went through the list, a dictionary, and one of his children’s books before I realized I was going to be really late for class. I looked at him and over at my host mom and didn’t take more than a few seconds to decide that my house was a better classroom than the one that was being taught at the university. I stayed home from class that morning.
I’m not sure how I am going to be able to say good-bye to Santiago in 19 days. Luckily, I have 12 more days here and a week long trip to Peru to think about how I’ll hold myself together when I hug these amazing people goodbye. I am so blessed that the friends I have made all go to Loyola and I’ll be able to see them when I return to Chicago in August, but unfortunately, the Contreras will not be in Chicago. They’ll be on Facebook and Skype though and we’ve already promised each other that we’ll send lots of photos through e-mail to keep in contact.
Am I counting down the days until I get to see my real family again? You bet. Am I craving Klaussen Kosher Dill pickles, the smell of York beach, the view from my Chicago apartment, and the daily news being read to me in English? Incredibly.
But, I can’t help but think of how when I get on that plane on July 1, this entire experience will be nothing more than a memory.
- Jun 05, 11
Yesterday we woke up at 6 a.m. and were aboard a shuttle by 6:30 a.m. After a short lesson and gear distribution, 9 of us were on our way to Volcán Villarica with 3 guides.
Receiving the news that the chairlift was under repair for the month was devastating. My friends who had climbed in February said that the extra $10 was worth spending since this portion of the volcano is the steepest and the most challenging. Joanie and I put the bad news behind us and just looked up from the base at this 7,000 meter tall, lava-filled volcano covered with glaciers and snow…. Wait are we really doing this?
Thirty minutes in, sweat was dripping, and I forgot about how chilly I was on the shuttle, even with my t-shirt, fleece, sweatshirt, winter coat, 2 pairs of pants, and 2 pairs of Smartwool socks covering me from head to toe. I was feeling good at our slow but constant pace and felt very well-trained thanks to Torres del Paine and my daily runs I’ve been doing for the past month at the gym.
Joanie, however, felt differently. She moved to the back of the pack and when I glanced down to check on her (which was not easy as the volcano was slippery with snow and as steep as you can imagine= /\) she mouthed, “I don’t think I can do this.”
Wrong! She could and she did! I stayed behind from the first group to embrace this experience with Joanie. She traveled thousands of miles to help me cross this adventure off my Bucket List and there was no way I was going without her! The guide, who I had been behind the entire time was shocked.
“Are you sure you want to wait? Are you sure you don’t want to stay with me?” he asked. “Yup!” I said.
After being called “La mejor” (the best) and “una chica buena” (a good girl), my guide took 3 others on with him and I dug a whole in the glacier with my ice pick and waited for the second group (who had Joanie) to come along.
When she reached me, her guide persuaded her to go a little further with the two of us. At the top, the views were indescribable. Our guide pointed out 2 other active volcanoes, the Fire Belt, and a mountain that inspired “The Land Before Time.”
Our entire way down was a blast! We used sleds to slide down the glacier and snowy sections of the volcano. These sleds literally looked liked hospital bed pans. At other times, we strapped water-proof material around our butts to minimize speed. These cloths were called “diapers.” In the ash, rock, and less steep areas, we descended by foot. I wanted to just run at this point, considering it is easier on my legs to do so, I’m used to it after my trips with my friends, and because I couldn’t wait to upload my photos!
Back at Aguaventura, the adventure store, our guides cracked open a few bottles of beer and we celebrated our accomplishments and my new ✔
on my Bucket List.
- Jun 05, 11
Joanie and I went horseback riding in the Mapuche Village. How do I even begin to describe how it felt to be back in the saddle? The waterfalls were amazing, don’t get me wrong, but my goodness, when I get on a horse, I just feel something. I belong on one! I love them — all of them (except the white ones).
Joanie and I went to the “other” side of the river to enter the Mapuche village. Rodrigo brought the two of us along a road in his small town. We saw families outside their homes with horses, pigs, chickens, roosters, cows, vegetable gardens, dogs, and lambs.
We had some interesting conversations about his town and his beliefs. He told me that he thinks religion is bad, organized, and not what should be cherished. He said that his religion, his God, was all around him in the forests, the life he has, and the place where he lives. As he was explaining this to me, and I was translating it for Joanie, he would pick leaves off the trees and tell us to smell them. They smelled delicious! He said that the different leaves on the different trees across the community were used as natural medicine; some relieved back pain, some helped cure a sore throat, and some were used to reduce fevers.
He told me about the ceremonies they have every four years, as well. Eighty families and over 500 horses gather in the main gate and celebrate their village. Each family kills one of their animals and eats that meat for the two days of celebration that occur. Sometimes, families kill a horse. My stomach churned when he said this, but Joanie said that this isn’t illegal and that some people eat horse in Texas. YIKES! I couldn’t even imagine eating such a beautiful animal.
After riding around the compound, he let me ride in the field and let my horse, Tornado, gallop, trot, canter, and run free. I don’t know who was loving it more, Tornado or me. It just felt amazing and so natural to be riding again.
After ten minutes or so, we rode up a steep mountain behind the village. For about an hour, we watched as the view got more and more spectacular with every step. At the top, Rodrigo showed us some berries they use to make marmalade. We let the horses rest and eat for a while, and then we headed back down.
Rodrigo let me ride in the field for a bit longer, but Tornado didn’t last long. He was so anxious to get back to his home. I had to really pull on the reins to keep him in the field — he knew just how to get home and wasn’t taking no for an answer. After ten minutes, Tornado and I had taken off on the gravel road and were trotting straight for the house. Rodrigo just laughed and let me go. When we got to the gate at the front of the home, we waited (Tornado very impatiently), for Rodrigo to open gate and let us in. The second the gate was pushed open, Tornado took off galloping! I had never seen anything like it. It took my breath away how fast he was running with me still in the saddle. Over a hill and down the drive way, Tornado never stopped! The other horses at the farm were running and “nay-ing” there way over to Tornado, greeting him home. Tornado didn’t stop until we were at the barn. Not only was he panting, but I was panting, too!
What an incredible day, an incredible journey, and an incredible way of living in the Mapuche village with Tornado and the other 500 horses. I think I could have stayed there forever..
- Jun 05, 11
On May 31, we arrived in Pucón, Chile, my favorite town in this country.
Pucón doesn’t have huge skyscrapers, oceanfront homes, or shopping malls. It doesn’t have fancy restaurants, vibrant parks, or even very good street lighting. What Pucón does have, however, is adventure.
Every other store in the town’s one street center is an adventure company hoping to make all of your dreams come true. Pucón has made almost all of my dreams come true, just look at my Bucket List for proof. This town has my heart, that is for sure.
I first visited Pucón with my friends at the end of our 3 week trip in February. We went whitewater rafting, zip-lining, and relaxed in the natural thermals. On our last day, we were going to climb the almighty 7,000 meter high Volcán Villarica, but it rained! After my eyes rained themselves, I made a promise to myself that I’d make it back to Pucón to climb the volcano. After adding it to my Bucket List, convincing Joanie to make a trip to South America, and purchasing the plane tickets, the two of us were on our way.
- Jun 04, 11
After 32 hours of traveling, my Fairy Godmother had flown from New York to Atlanta, Atlanta to Santiago, hugged me and squeezed me and put me on board with her to Buenos Aires, and then, we made our final flight from Buenos Aires to Iguazu, Argentina.
Exhausted, the two of us explored our quaint and rustic hotel, La Sorgente, had a glass of Malbec, and went to sleep. We had a long couple of days ahead of us!
(No trip with Michelle has much time for rest)
Over a series of two days, we conquered the park! Here is what we saw:
Ecological Train- This train was similar to Disney World’s transportation. Although it rattled and squeaked, it brought us to all of the great spots in the park.
Garganta del Diablo (The Devil’s Throat)- This fall is the most popular at Iguazu because of how close you can get to the rushing waters. It is a powerful force of nature and a real jaw- dropper. Joanie and I stood there for a solid fifteen minutes just watching the water crumble to the river (which, you couldn’t even see because of the mist).
The bridge on our way to and from the fall from the train was full of butterflies and the water underneath was home to turtles and fish.
The Green Trail- This was a short walking path that could be used instead of the train. It allows you to be more up close with the animals in the park. At first, all we felt were bugs and all we heard were birds. But then, we started to notice orange peels tossed around in the woods. Within minutes, we discovered a coati. A coati is in the family of the beavers and aardvarks. Although they were harmless, we were terrified at first! Eventually, the more we saw, the more calm we were. They were almost like annoying squirrels and rats who just want to eat your food (they were all over the outdoor fast food cafes). Yuck! When we saw signs that read, “Danger! Alligators!” We picked up our pace and headed out of the trail as quickly as possible.
Upper Circuit- From here, you get a great view from above the waterfalls. With over 270 to see, the park does a great job of showing you many different angles.
Macuco Trail- Warning signs for alligators, snakes, and bats did not scare us anymore. After conquering our fears with the coati, we felt like we could have been Jack Hanna’s interns. 3.2 kilometers later, we had reached the end of the Macuco Trail, and the beginning of one of my all-time favorite places I have ever seen. At the end of the trail was a tall and thin waterfall named The Sendero Fall. We trekked down the steep staircase and peered over the boulders to spot the natural beauty. After removing my shoes, climbing up a rock and staring at The Sendero Fall, I decided I needed a more first- class look at this sucker. I didn’t want to swim because I didn’t have my bathing suit or a towel, so I hiked. I climbed off my rock, and walked through the woods on my tippy-toes, crossing my fingers I wouldn’t step on a poisonous insect. I jumped over streams, climbed over rocks and clung to tree branches, fearing they’d be snakes. I hoisted myself over another giant boulder and WAAALAAAA — I had reached the waterfall! I was feeling pretty outdoorsy at this point. Joanie was taking glamour shots of me from the other side of the fall. I was smiling, getting splashed by Sendero, and then, my confidence disappeared: On the other side of the wet mossy rocks that I was standing on, was a family of salamanders. “Joanie! Hurry up and take these photos! I need to get out of here!” After another 20 or so salamanders and a struggle bus of a journey back to the front of the trail, I made it, sweat dripping, a feeling of freedom, nature, and success, with a huge smile on my face and a feeling of belonging. Boy, did I ever choose the right study abroad program!
Lower Circuit- The view beat La Garganta del Diablo and the Upper Circuit by 1,000%. What I saw here can not even be described. We were truly able to see all 270 waterfalls from where we stood. At some points, the falls were so close to us we were getting sprayed by their mist. Unreal. Beautiful. Take a look:
Boat Ride- At 4:30 p.m., with just an hour and a half left until the park closed, Joanie and I boarded a speed boat that would take us around San Martín Island and up close to the falls. We removed our shoes and put all of our personal belongings in a water proof bag provided by the boat company. The captain took us close to a huge waterfall and underneath two small falls. I kept my mouth open and drank the water at certain points, had my hands waving in the air at others, and had my teeth clattering after getting soaked the entire time. It was incredible how much heat was coming off the falls. The water itself wasn’t that warm, but the area around it had this hot, humid air. It was really neat.
Sometimes, I just have to stop, listen to the lyrics, look out the window, take a deep breath, and say it out loud: “Wow, I’m lucky to be here.”
Besos,
Michelle
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Tweets
- @cjmcmahonSMG rough.
- @doverchamber, @kidmuseumnh, @DoverNHPlanning R U @ tomorrow? My replacement will be here for a tour of the city/to meet you all!Jun 17, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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- @jjulielyons I remember that spot all too well! Best of luck to you guys the rest of the way!
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- Walked through history today.. Do not want to spoil the story, but, let's just say, Thom Hindle over at the Woodman would be jealous!Jun 13, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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