This will most likely be the last update before we return on Tuesday morning. If you have misplaced your tour information packet, we are arriving at DFW airport on Tuesday. We do have to go through customs, so we may be delayed a bit before we are allowed to reconnect with you.
Yesterday was our tourist day. No performing responsibilities. We began by going shopping in Iguazu. The prices for goods in the park are quite high so we found a store in town that offered much better prices. The store also took pesos, US dollars and all forms of credit cards. After shopping we went to the park to visit the falls. Two days before we had had an initial visit and saw a small portion of the falls but today we were to see much more. Upon entering the park we walked down a scenic path where we saw native trees and flowers. Then we arrived at the train station. After a short ride we exited and entered a path that had a title with the word "Diablo" in its name. Knowing that meant "devil" I thought to myself this can't be good. As it turned out it meant "the Devil's Throat," and we were about to see the largest of the falls in the Iguazu system. We walked across many for bridges, most of which were above the headwaters below us, to an island. Once there the spray and water increased and we observed the falls that have recently been named as one of the new seven wonders of nature. It did not disappoint! Niagara has nothing on this waterfall. A photographer was there and we had a group picture made.
We returned to the train station and gave the boys the option of staying there or taking the lower trail. Most opted for the lower trail. This trail descended down the side of the falls. At its end you could see another set of beautiful falls. We then headed back to our rendevous point. En route we were suddenly swarmed by a pack of coatis. These are a relative of the opposum but much cuter. They were in search of food. I could have told them that a group of guys wouldn't have any food because our boys eat everything in site. They were stubborn, though and followed us for a ways down the path before finally giving up.
Last night was our last dinner at the hotel. I had planned for us to have our usual end of tour reflections time, but this was not to be. Andrea Merenzon, the head of the entire festival came to eat dinner with us and spend time with our boys as well as the Chinese students and the Han brothers. The Chinese did an impromptu performance on their native instruments. The one of the Han brothers performed a solo violin piece. We then performed two selections for everyone else. It was a great time of sharing. Even the kitchen crew came out to be a part of the celebration. After that we watched a movie about or time in Argentina. Our camera guy had been editing all week. This documentary is amazing but it is not yet complete. He will film us until we depart. Then he will put final edits on the film and send us the completed DVD that we may copy for everyone.
Time to go downstairs now. We have our tour reflections meeting in the lobby before we load the bus to begin the process of coming home. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday morning. It has been an incredible trip but we are ready to come home.
Bryan Priddy
Artistic Director
Texas Boys Choir
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