IGUAZU FALLS!!!!

 WONDERS OF THE WORLD! 

*IGUAZU FALLS*

Brint took time out of the time we were in Rio to go to Iguazu Falls. This is one of the natural wonders of the world. It sits between the borders of Brazil and Argentina. We went to both sides... my favorite though, would be Argentina! On the Brazil side you have a view of the falls from a distance and it's absolutely beautiful. You can see them all in one glance. Breathtaking! On the Argentine side you are actually on top of the falls and can look down, what they call, the Devils Throat! SO breath taking! Also, you can hike down to the bottom of the falls and look up at them. There is mist everywhere and you definitely get wet. But if feels amazing because it's HOT and you get to get close to the falls! I highly recommend going and seeing it and experiencing the most beautiful falls in the world! I will try to give you an idea of it, but my pictures don't do it justice. Nothing like seeing with your own eyes and hearing the amount of power that's behind them. Mmm.... gives me the chills! OK enough talk- here are the pics!

Argentine side:

Brazil side: 

I took some video of the falls from the Argentine side "the Devils Throat" 

Pretty much the coolest thing I've ever done in my life!! It was such an experience! I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to do this. I cannot believe that the time has already come and gone. Hopefully one day, we'll get back there and maybe be able to take others with us. 

RIO ~ Day 2

The Next morning it was another beautiful day in Rio and perfectly clear skies! We took the subway and headed out to Ipanema and Copacabana to do a little walking. I was my first time ever on a subway! 

This specific cart during certain hours is just for women and children. 

We decided to do The Christ statue around sunset. I am so glad we decided to go at this time because I love all the colors in the clouds and how they made the photos turn out. The views were amazing. We took a trolly up the to the top. It was a pretty steep incline and at times there were openings in the brush and you could see out over the city. But once you got to the top it was breath taking! 

It was a great way to end an incredible day! 

Rio ~ Day 1

So since I have SO many photos and SO much to talk about I decided to do my Rio post in separate days! :) So here is our first day in Rio!

We ended up taking an over-night bus to Rio from Esprito Santo. We got there around 6:30am! We got settled in and then decided to not wait another minute! I wanted to see the city! It was a really clear day in Rio and we decided to do Sugar Loaf.

It was SO much fun! I was a little nervous about going up a wire rail up to the top of the peak but it was worth every minute of my nervousness!

We also went exploring different plazas and trying to capture it all it! There is a 7 story mall in Rio that we went to! very interesting! I actually don't prefer it. There we only about 3 main store per floor. Once we made it up to the 7th floor we found a little potato place to eat that Brint used to eat at when he was there 10 years ago. 

Then we hit up the movie theater and saw Captain America in 3D! 

We walked around different plaza's. 

I loved some of the sidewalks here. They had beautiful trees lined the whole way down.

 We stopped by on of the churches in an area where Brint served. It was a very interesting building. It was not your typical church building where it stands alone and it looks like a church. This one was more like a business building look and the church was 3 stories. 

I loved it at night. There are so many beautiful churches in Brazil. Most of the buildings were lit up at night and looked so beautiful.  

Then we took our hour bus ride home.... Yes an hour, maybe even an hour and a half one way. So when we get up in the morning we plan to be gone the entire day! We would leave the house around 10:30am and not get home sometimes until 10 at night! We walked SO much... we were exhausted by the end of the day! 

After we got home that night we went out to this AWESOME night club/lounge! It was full of antique decorations and vintage items. That night there was a ban playing Samba music and I loved it! The women were amazing at dancing to Samba. It is the coolest and hardest dance I've ever seen. We had such a blast. 

Pretty much our first night there was AWESOME! :) 

Esprito Santo, Brasil 2011

Vila Vella
This summer we've been doing a lot of traveling through Brazil. One of our stops was to one of Brint's mission areas in Esprito Santo! What a cool city! Very industrial, quiet, clean.. and it has people we know and love. We stayed with one of Brint's best friends and it was a blast getting to know him and watching the two of them catch up. I tried to follow along, but my portuguese isn't that great. I could only pick out a few words here and there then I would just give up. haha

Brint and Enilson reunited after 10 years! 

We went and visited a Convent thats in an area called Vitoria. It was built in 1952! It's was a climb up to the top of the hill but totally worth it! it had great views of the city!

While we were here we really wanted to get in touch with as many families as we could. We ended up going to the church building on a mutual night and saw a few people that Brint recognized. Of course we were in our street clothes and Brint had a hat on so it was hard for the people to recognize him at first. It was cool. Then we went to church on Sunday and the Bishop announced us to the congregation. They made us stand up so everyone could see us! HA it was funny. There was an Elder there that is in our families stake back home in AZ. He actually knows Brint's little sister Aubry really well. -small world- 

Elder Thompson

We took a night and went and walked the beach strip called Praia da Costa. So cool. The beaches were all lit up with lights and there were people out playing sand volleyball and runners running along the beach, vendors trying to get everyone to buy from them, and food! :) It was really fun! 

**Garoto Chocolate Factory**

In Esprito Santo there is a CHOCOLATE FACTORY!!! It is Brazil's main chocolate factory and it's been there for over 90 years! we didn't get a chance to actually tour the factory (they were booked) but we went to the gift shop and toured the museum! We were there around lunch time and we got to see all the workers on their lunch breaks outside eating. It reminded me of Oumpa-lumpa's! haha Plus you could smell the chocolate when you were walking around outside.... heavenly! 

One day we were making our way out to an area that Brint served but we were going out there for a business meeting Brint had. The guy Brint met with had a restaurant that he owned and wanted opinions. So we walk into the restaurant and there is this guy that is cleaning the floors and we say hi and introduce ourselves. Enilson told Brint that he was a member and Brint was just making small talk with him and was getting to know his story. Alan, the guy, was telling Brint that him and his family had been members of the church for about 10 years now. So of course that made Brint interested... he served there 10 years ago. So Alan continued and said that the Elders that baptized them were Americans and one was named Elder Hiatt!!!!!! WHAO!!! Can you believe that?? The reunion was full of excitement and emotion! Alan is getting ready to go on a mission... He just put his papers in! It was an incredibly emotional experience. Alan was SO excited to see Brint, or Elder Hiatt. The amazing part is that Brint remembers this family really well, but never thought he would be able to find them. Then Lo and Behold- we run into Alan through a business meeting. I LOVE IT! ha Alan ended up calling his dad while we were there, and his dad came over and we sat and talked with them for an hour or so. We actually ended up extending our stay there in Esprito Santo for an extra day so we could go visit the family! I love this family! The little girls are the cutest little things! They were so sweet... They brought out old photos of their baptism. The gospel changed their lives. They are now sealed in the temple and their oldest son is about to leave on his mission! It gives me chills just thinking about it. 

Another one of Brint's favorite families on the mission were the Francas. They totally remember him. We ran into the two oldest boys at a festival they were having at the church one night. We never did have an opportunity to spend time with the whole family all together, but what we were able to spend with them was great. They offered to take us to our bus station when we left for Rio and Brint and I were able to sit and visit with the parents for a couple hours. It was so nice. Such amazing people! 

We loved our stay here and were sad to leave. It was awesome seeing Brint so happy seeing all these people that he loves and remembers. It's always hard to say goodbye after not seeing them for so long. But I have a feeling we'll be back! :) 

RIO!!!!!!

**Rio de Janeiro**

We are here in Rio now... We haven't had any internet at the place we've been staying so that's why I haven't been able to upload anything. But I just wanted to give you a quick peak at what we've been doing so far since we've been here! 

Cristo Redentor

We decided to go up so we could get a sunset view... best decision! The pictures came out beautiful! It was such a great experience! I love it here! :)

One of the wonders of the world! Check! :)

Sugar Loaf

We road a teleferico up to the top of the first peak, then the second! We were up so high! It was freezing and windy! The view was incredible! 

Can I just tell you how incredible this city is! It is so beautiful! It is probably one of my favorite places now! We have enjoyed every minute of being here in Rio! This is our last week here in Brazil! I can't believe it! I am excited but sad.... I am really going to miss being here. Stayed tuned... I have a TON of pictures to come!