I called 11 hotels (all the ones listed in Frommers and Fodors) before I found somewhere that had an available room near the Iguazu Falls Dec. 29. I was definitely getting nervous. I think the crowds have to do with New Year's Eve. All of this was in Spanish and on our Skype line that sometimes cuts off in the middle of the phone conversation, so it was doubly exciting to finally get a room.
We got our language school bill today (by Tim's request, not their initiative) and were then asked to pay it... today... in cash.... Too bad we can't get that much money out of the ATM in a day and there is no such thing as talking to the tellers about it. I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Fidelity before coming to the conclusion that the only option was to tell the secretary that we couldn't pay the bill until January. Oh well.
I got a permanent retainer put on my bottom teeth this afternoon. My host dad (a dentist) called his friend Monday afternoon. Today at 4:30, the whole thing was done for $81.70. It was supposed to be $83.30, but I only had $81.70 on me and when I told the orthodontist I was waiting for Tim to show up with the difference, he gave me a discount "because we're friends." Friendship goes a long way here. Even farther than $1.60 really.
And the day isn't over yet. I'm sure we'll have more adventures in the airport. Fortunately my Spanish is getting good enough that I can handle most of them.
