Ushuaia Tierra del Fuego Argentina

Enough with the Spanish!

Woke this morning about 5:30am. The hotel´s elevator is 1 metre square. Like the one in Paris. Only room for two people and two suitcases and NO more. Breakfast was food I had purchased from a supermarket I found last night. It was something lemony and sweet not quite sure what it was. Taxi took me to the airport. The tall buidings are narrow and thin. Maybe two to four apartments on each floor. In the poorest areas, the homes are made of whatever is available. Yesterday on the tour I made a friend. She was in the check- in line at the airport today. She was off to Paraguay. Tried calling home but could not get through. We were bused to our plane which took off at 8:30am. Met a gentleman from Milan who was sailing with a crew of 6 around the cape. Sounds like too much work for me. Exciting though! My nosiness is being squellshed. It is very difficult listening in on conversations when they are speaking a different language. So I ask alot of questions. As we prepared to land we hit a number of sudden and deep airpockets. Some people let out yells. It was like being on a rollercoaster and not having to worry about my neck. I loved it. The airport in Ushuaia made me think of a Scadinavian scene. It is rugged and elegant. I met Bridgette and Peter from London England. They were here 7 years ago and Bridgette said she swore she would never come back. She hates the cold. They appear to be in their 70´s. The town of Ushuaia is surrounded by the Andes Mountains (majestic snow covered). The temperature is 6 degree C. Hotel Los Ñires(it is the name of a famous tree in the area) also has a Scandinavian appearance. Lots of wood and rocks. I am staying in a room by myself. After the bellboy left, I sat on my bed, looked out my window and cried. The view was incredible, awe inspiring. I think I am a little tired too. I also am very aware of the silence. I know what they mean when they say deafening silence. OK I´ve had enought of the power outage too. I was happily writing this blog when POOF! the power went out again. Fortunately, this program realized those kinds of things happen and now half an hour later, the power is on and the blog was saved. Ventured to town on my own at 5:10pm. My plan was to sample a local fish dinner. Problem was, the major restuarants don´t open until 7:00pm and my bus back to the hotel leaves at 7:30pm. Next best thing, ask for a suggestion. Tante Sara was suggested. What fun! I thought I ordered tuna salad with a boiled egg and a glass of tap water. Nope! I got wine grilled shrimp with lettuce and a yummy ceasar dressing and a bottle of sparkling mineral water. It was only $8. As I sat and watched the world go by I noticed that here in Urshaia it is the opposite to the islands. Here the locals all go around with sweaters. No hats or gloves while the tourists are bundled up with coats, hats, and gloves. After all it is almost summer here.
It´s 10:00pm. I´m going to go back to my room and read for awhile. Tomorrow we have a tour of Urshaia and then on to the ship. I still cant believe I am at the other end of the world.
Love and hugs, Sue