A home for my words.

I had been digital nomading in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a little over a month when the December break rolled around. After spending Christmas time in beautiful Patagonia, I headed over to Iguazu Falls.

The destination is popular internationally and you will hear many languages in addition to Spanish while visiting. I enjoyed walking around and taking in the sights and tried my best to find quiet spots to do so.

I wanted to add a little excitement to the day, so I also booked the boat tour of the falls. I’d seen people with plastic pouches so that they wouldn’t have to put their phone away on the boat, but I decided against purchasing one.

Instead, I quickly snapped a photo while on the water and then buried my phone away for the rest of the boat ride. The experience literally took my breath away…let me explain.

After I’d originally booked the tour, I spotted an inconspicuous disclaimer that listed medical conditions that should not participate in the tour. One of those conditions was asthma, which I have. However, I’d participated in other tours with similar disclaimers with no issues. It seemed to me that many companies have such statements to cover themselves legally. When I survived the hike down to the water breathing just fine, I figured the worst was behind me. I was wrong.

What I didn’t realize is that once in the water, some boats do more than just get close enough to the falls to get misted. Mine actually went underneath it so that passengers can get pummeled by the heavy water. If your asthma is anything like mine, you know that once cold water hits your chest, your airways tighten and that can sometimes trigger an asthma attack. I completely failed to anticipate this. One moment I was bracing with anticipation, the next it felt like a brick hit my chest. I realized my error then. I could feel my hands buzzing and my lungs compressing.

Everyone else loved it. Screams of “Otra! Otra! Otra!” urged the boat driver to head under the falls once more. I couldn’t manage to get any words out and I didn’t have enough time to grab for my inhaler. I pictured myself emerging from this second douse under the falls in a full-blown asthma attack while stuck on a boat of onlookers. I shook the idea away because it simply wasn’t helpful. Instead, I closed my eyes and took on the assault of the water while I tried to focus on regulating my breath as best as I could. I was reasoning with my brain that soon enough it would be over.

Once it was, the person next to me remarked how awesome it was. When I regained enough strength to eek words out, they looked at me with that puzzled gaze that says, I have no idea what you’re talking about. They could breathe just fine. Those moments are always quite disheartening, but I was just happy to take my inhaler and avoid any other medical intervention. And I sure learned my lesson on confirming what exactly poses a risk to asthmatics on such tours or better yet, actually just avoiding said excursions lol.

I looked like a soaked mess back on land. The flaky sunburn I had on my nose from back in Patagonia had been completely stripped away by the pressure of the falls along with my hair tie. But my inhaler had taken effect and I was able to hike back up.

Bonus: New Year’s Eve

A few days later and fully recovered, New Year’s Eve rolled around. I actually took a day trip into Brazil! Still, I wanted to celebrate the new year back in Argentina without doing anything too crazy. Luckily I found an Argentine cooking class that was hosting a special class for New Year’s Eve.

It was an informational and entertaining night. We were an international bunch. I would say about 50% Spanish-speakers and 50% English-speakers, but with people from various regions of the world. We made empanadas, mate, and sweets, and the staff took our steak orders and checked for any dietary requests. The only unfortunate part of this New Year’s Eve experience was that I ate so much Brazilian fried fish and cassava from my earlier day trip that I couldn’t stuff in as much food as I’d hoped!

Despite my health scare, I’ll remember Iguazu Falls fondly!