Ever heard of the Gonçalves Dias River?

The Gonçalves Dias River (pronouced Gawn-sul-vees Dee'ahs), the smaller river to the left is seen here at its mouth as it empties into the larger Iguassu River. The Gonçalves Dias marks the limit between the Iguassu National Park and the cities of Lindoeste, Santa Tereza do Oeste and Capitão (Captain) Leônidas Marques. The area has been greatly tranformed by human hands and tools. The landscape you see in the picture taken by paramotor pilot Billy Pereira and commssioned by the Captain L. Marques' Government, shows the general area where one more Hydropower Dam is possibly and supposedly going to be constructed to the sadness of nearly voiceless environmentalists who - as it normally happens - live far from here (including the tycoons and barons of the tourism trade).

The IguaÇu /IguaSSu Battle

The artwork shown above depicts firstly the official cote of arms of the City of Foz do Iguaçu. You will notice that there is a lot of red standing for NO to something. Can you guess what has been so hotly and passionately debated? I will tell you: it was about the proposal by a local city councilor to change the spelling of the city name in order to make it easier for the tourists. Among the reasons offered was that the internet was unable to read the “cedille” which is not in the English alphabet. Also, it was remembered, that until the late 40s Iguaçu was spelled Iguassu. So the real proposal was that the name of the city instead of being written Foz do Iguaçu as it is today, it would be written Foz do Iguassu.

Plenty Water

This photograph was taken by friends Fernando Martin and Ruth Sanchez last year during a fantastically beautiful and awe-inspiring flood.And the one standing over there, is me.