The end of the world

Trip Start Jul 08, 2007
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of Argentina  ,
Friday, February 15, 2008

After about 10 000 km traveled in 2 days, I have finally reached this very distant land called Tierra Del Fuego.  The first time I've encountered its name and especially its location (probably because of the board game Risk), I then asked my friends if they thought it was a warm or a cold place.  To my pleasure, many said it was warm.
 
Well it's not!  With the wind, it's probably around 5-10C (middle of their summer), although warmer yesterday afternoon when I first arrived.  I am sure it is cooler than Quebec in the winter! Ushuaia is the main city of these parts where I have been told about 80 000 people live.  The city is nested between the ocean and the surrounding mountain chains.  Interestingly the city has been growing a lot recently and lots of its population is very young.  In general, Ushuaia looks very similar to any North American remote seaside village (except for the mountains surrounding it).  No culture shock here.  Being here makes me realise the full extent of the European reach and the globalisation of our world.  10 000 km from home and this place could very be a fishing village from Gaspesia.
 
Oh yes, one weird thing here!  There does not seem to be any stop signs anywhere (see picture).  Not sure how this works, but I have not seen any accidents.  So if this really works, we could revolutionize world wide automobile circulation by eliminating stop signs, traffic lights and round abouts.  People are generally very nice.  As I have been told by a friend made on the plane (from Montreal to Buenos Aires), there is not many natives if any that remains in Argentina.  Therefore, Argentineans people are a wide mix of white to a little darker people.  So when I do not have my camera around my neck, I look Argentinean, perfect for my espionage missionsJ . 
 
My first purpose in coming here was to go as far from home as I could think of.  A more practical reason was to use it as my gateway to Antarctica.  A few boats (50-150 people) are leaving every week from November until the end of March.  I am so excited about this all trip that I am trying not to think too much about it.  I am aiming at leaving in a few days and as soon as they have woken up the captain (it is now 4 in the afternoon), he will be able to confirm my presence on his boat J .
 
It is a weird feeling to be so close from Antarctica, this place they say is changing the fastest on the planet...
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