We have an all day trip throughout Misiones Provence for three separate stops.  First we visit the Wanda Mine, then the primary stop at the Jesuit mission of San Ignacio Miní, and finally the maté factory.

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The mission is by far the highlight.  The reddish sandstone beautifully compliments the green grass and blue sky.  The current structure dates from the l690s.  It was abandoned by the Jesuits in the late 1700s.  The jungle took it over and it was rediscovered around 1900.  Unlike the Spanish conquistadors or other European explorers, the Jesuits converted the natives in peaceful, non-violent ways.  The Jesuits learned the native languages and slowly started interacting with the locals (who are the Guarani).  Knowledge was shared and at one point there were about 6,000 people living at this particular mission. 

Our guide is very knowledgeable and I’m fascinated about how a few Spanish speaking priests were able to get the whole thing going. After touring the mission, our tour group makes a brief stop at a maté tea factory which is mildly interesting, although I take a short snooze during the video portion of the tour.  Finally, we return to town where we have an enjoyable dinner with a British couple who was on our tour.

Pictures from today are here:

http://www.sanjoseabrams.com/photos/ArgentinaDec2011/Day%205,%20San%20Ignacio%20Min%C3%AD/index.html