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Published: February 3rd 2014
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....And she´s off!
From the Blizzard-ridden icey grips of the Canadian Sub-Arctic, Theresa makes the intentional journey to get to where Dave is. At the ends of the earth on the opposite pole, that is.
Just when I am ready with plane ticket in hand, to leave Churchill, Manitoba, to catch my Argentinian flights from Winnipeg, a 3 day blizzard warning is in effect. So, waying my odds, I went for the 45 hour train ride from Churchill to Winnipeg as opposed to cancelled flight after cancelled flight from Churchill´s icey, blizzardy climate. Then I hopped on the flight path of 3 flights, 40 hours in total in planes and airports, and finally, I am at el Fin del Mundo, Ushuaia, Argentina. Finalemente! (finally!).
I have been welcomed with the Argentinian peso´s de-valuing, so our exchange rates are improving. That has certainly taken the ouch from the prices here as it is pretty pricey for South America.
As I arrived at my hostel in Ushuaia, there was a lovely box of Argentinian chocolates waiting for me from my lovely Dave, who booked me my place to stay for 10 days, while I await my Antarctic destiny and
Lupins
The first flower to greet me, on my quest for greenness... see the 7th continent with my honey! Awe, I can hear you all saying it. Isn´t he sweet. Indeed he is. And ladies, back off. He´s mine!
Coming from temperatures of -25 to -35 C with windchills of down to -55, I was welcomed with a lovely 6 C with a bit of a breeze from the sea waters. I think I´m going to like this transition! I can actually go outside and not have to cover up my skin from frostbite risk. And, I don´t actually have to breath in my own CO2 from covering my face with a balaclava and scarf. Wow! Real fresh air!
It´s the small things....
And it is also the fact that it is green here, with trees! and flowers! (again, with the small things...)
Having been in Ushuaia for a week now, I´ve had the pleasure of enjoying some of the trails around Ushuaia. Tierra del Fuego National Park, and Playa Larga just east of town. And I had the pleasure of seeing some great birds so far. As much as I love the arctic terns here, and indeed feel like I´ve followed their migratory path from the sub
arctic to the Antarctic (actually, you know, I did!), I have shared with you some new birds for me. I am a newby birder, so be kind...
In keeping with the ¨small things¨theme, taste bud stimulation can also be a good topic when one has been deprived of good flavours and fresh food whilst being cooped up in the house for days in the frosty world of Churchill, where there is one grocery store and one restaurant that sells okay food (getting the picture? yes, I´m painting a good contrast, and build up for what follows...).
For example, the hot chocolate I had last night at the Turista Chocolate Store, in Ushuaia, made me want to run off with the machine that kept the creamy hot chocolate swirling, and hot, and hide it in my room... Yes, this deprived soul was thinking criminal thoughts in desperation for more heavenly taste sensations... I could envision me running across the street to my hostel, with the swirly pot in my grips, splashing chocolate everywhere as I go. But then the vision becomes dismal, with Argentinian policias, as they corner me with the pot of chocolate, and I trip and fall,
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Some remains of the Penal Colony´s chopping trees down. Well preserved tree cemetery. splashing chocolate everywhere... trying to lick the forbidden liquid up from the dirty streets... I admit. It isn´t pretty. But somehow there is comedy in this desperate video in my imagination...
I think I must go back... just one more... really, that´s all...
Thanks for listening. This has been rather therapeutic for me.
Theresa
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
The adventure begins
Congratulations Theresa on being able to join Dave for a tour of Antarctica. We've really enjoyed his blogs. Now we will get your take on things and we can't wait. Glad you are enjoying the balmy temperatures. Chocolate soothes the soul and is a natural anti-depressant. I would be fighting you for that swirling pot of chocolate! keep these wonderful word pictures coming our way.