Haiku : cataract

Iguazu Falls

Two lovers escape
dog-in-the-manger riled god
stunning cataracts

haiku by M. Nakazato LaFreniere

Once upon a time a man loved a woman. Problem was the beautiful Naipí was to be sacrificed to the serpent god M’Boy.  Tarobá refused to accept her coming death.  While the chief and their people danced and drank, celebrating the coming ritual, Tarobá trundled Naipí into a canoe and set off down the Iguazú river.

M’Boy, the serpent god, hissed with anger, “She is mine!”  His tail lashed down, splitting the river, pushing down the land and the hapless canoe tumbled down the newly created waterfalls.  M’Boy’s struck brave Tarobá, transforming him into a basalt rock at the bottom, the water constantly pounding into him.  Not wishing them to be near each other, M’Boy flung Naipí to the top, to become a palmtree leaning over the edge so they could see each other in their new incarnations but never touch.

Thus Iguazú Falls were birthed.

(based on a Tupi- Guarani legend)

Iguazú Falls (aka Iguaçu Falls or in Spanish: Cataratas del Iguazú; Guarani: Chororo Yguasu ; Portuguese: Cataratas do Iguaçu)

Iguazú Falls is described as the largest waterfall system in the world across 275 cataracts, the Iguazú Falls spreads across 1.7 miles between Brazil and Argentina, making it three times wider than the Niagra Falls.  The Iguazu River plummeting over Paraná Plateau creates the falls.

The falls are located within the Atlantic Rainforest, one of the few remaining inland rainforests within South America. In 1934, together Brazil and Argentina set aside 67,000 hectares for the subtropical National Parks to provide a sanctuary for numerous insects and invertabraes, 2000 plant species, 400 bird species, and 80 types of mammals. Elsewhere 90% of the Atlantic rainforest has been cleared.  UNESCO lauded their efforts, declaring the area a World Heritage Site in 1984. Yet the countries are conflicted.

Both Brazil and Argentina want to maximize the tourist dollars while preserving the environment (more or less) but their methods are different.  Argentina has banned helicopter tours but across the border, Brazil allows helicopter tours.  On the Argentina side, from the entrance you can take the free and frequent bus tours through the park.   Brazil lowered their number of buses by introducing 72-passenger double deckers to reduce emissions.  There are walkways and trails to bring you closer to the falls as well as boats.  Speedboats will take you right under the falls if you don’t mind getting drenched. Yet much of the surrounding rainforest is preserved.  If the falls had not created a worldwide tourist attraction, probably this remaining bit of rainforest would have dissipated

I have mixed feelings of the damage we as tourists do just by our sheer numbers.  I don’t want to add to the damage and yet I want to visit and photograph.  It must be an amazingly beautiful sight.

References:

Iguazu Falls
Wikipedia

Why Iguazu Falls in South America should be on your bucket list
by Nila Sweeney, CNN Travel, March 25, 2015

Waterfalls–I. Iguazu
New Millenium Records

Iguazu Falls Facts: Between Legend And Reality
ExplorationJunkie

Iguazu Falls affords stunning views from trail, boat and walkway
By Robin And Arlene Karpan, The Western Producer, February 7, 2014

Photographs :
Golden Waterfall Photo by Trevor Cole on Unsplash
Rainbow Photo by Sasha Lantukh on Unsplash

RDP #15 – CATARACT
Ragtag Daily Prompt
Fridays from Curious Steph
on Ragtag Community

The Ragtag Daily Prompt now has it’s own blog site called the “Ragtag Community“.  Each day of the week a prompt is presented by a different person.  Today’s is “cataract” by Curious Steph. Come and participate by posting writing or images evoked by the word and add your pingback or link to the comments there.  Hope to see you at Ragtag Community!