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Published: January 21st 2008
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Bus Time
Reading, relaxing and seeing the sights. ...the beginning of everything.
We completed our adventure from the tippy-top of Latin America in Mexico to the very bottom of the continent when we rolled into Ushuaia, the world´s southernmost city. We got in after midnight and it was still twilight. It´s light here until all hours, which was lucky for us since we hadn´t yet found a bed yet.
The fridged waters full of sailboats, cruise ships and a cluster of naval ships with mountain backdrop of snowy peaks makes Ushuaia an interesting mountain-maritime mixture. And it seems much of the rest of the globe is here with us to see the end of the world. This little port town is packed with cruisers, backpackers, and even giant beavers. In one day, we saw little elderly couples from the UK shuffle between chocolate shops, mochileros like ourselves stock up on dried soups and camping supplies to hit the trails, and a beaver and bear pair dodging traffic just for fun.
We had big plans to get our trekking groove back on, especially since we haven´t done much but eat steak and drink wine since Peru. But it rained just long enough that we were forced to
After Midnight
Late, late sunset just seems better down south. join the cruisers at the chocolate shops for churros dipped in hot chocolate, taste Beagle beer named after the channel, and sample the seafood. (We´re on the lookout for delicious ideas to steal, Denise). We´re not even to Chile yet, but king crab rules the restaurants here. We also toured the town to see our favorite flower from Bariloche, the lupine. It´s in all colors here, including a yellow-red combo we called the ¨firecracker¨.
Big news, family and friends... While here at the end of the world, Trevor and I purchase our very first home together. Hostel and hotel prices are sky-high during the summer season, so we decided to take matters into our own tent. We bought a little blue two-man and promptly pitched it at the bottom of a grassy ski slope for only $4 each. Seeing the t-bar to the top made us excited for some spring skiing. I forgot to ask Trev to carry me across the threshold, but it´s just as well since our campsite was up a steep dirt slope in a mass of trees. Next time.
The only downside to the end of the world was that it´s just as hard
Oooh
South American skyline. This is why we don´t fly. to get to as the name implies. It´s no wonder Argentina sent their criminals to Ush for the first part of the 20th century. Tierra del Fuego is still notoriously hard to get in and out of. The bus ride that should´ve taken four hours took 13, mostly because Chile occupies the Isla Grande on the way. Trevor is always reminding me that our trip is not about the destination, but about the journey. I´d rather just get there, but what a journey it was - we had to get off our bus four times each way to exit Arg, enter Chile, exit Chile, enter Arg. Each stop took up to two hours of long lines so that the only dude working could stamp our passports and paperwork seven times. Would´ve been a lot speedier if the stamper had some help. There was one little guy who was strictly on thermos-filling duty scampering around to make sure the stamper had hot matte at all times.
The other best part of our ¨journey¨ (remind you of another certain journey, Val?) was when we had to drive our bus onto a ferry and cram it next to a dozen other cars,
The Open Road
Some people just weren´t cut out for life on the road. trucks and buses to float across the Straights of Magellan. Another ridiculously long wait, but a great time once on board. We disembarked to enjoy panchos (hot dogs), glimpses of frolicking dolphins just under the water surface, and drenched passengers on the decks. The locals went outside the covered section of the ferry for the sole purpose of getting splashed, and then came back in dripping and laughing hysterically. One of the reasons we love Argentina is that Argentines simply have an awesome time.
One mission accomplished. We made it to the end of the world and the bottom of Latin America as planned, but our trip here just makes us realize that we have so much more to do, see, and explore. It also makes us excited to return home to our family and friends and to kick off the rest of our life together. This adventure is one of many for Trevor and I and we think the best is still yet to come. Hence, the end of the world... beginning of everything.
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Bobby Mo
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Truly Amazing
I don't know what's more impressive, that you've reached the end of the continent and Trevor hasn't gotten either of you arrested or that you've reached the end and trevor is still with the living. He's always had hollow bones and I just didn't think that little polio stricken body could have made it. The new Forrest Gump if you ask me. Love, Bobby "Bleed black and gold" Mosiman