While I still have about 24 hours of Internet access, I'm reporting in that I've safely reached Ushuaia! The mountains towering over the humble town reminds me of Alaska, though the graffiti and dangerous looking alleys ensure that as beautiful as this place is, it's still got all the elements of any other city. Still, it's a freakin cool place. Lots of cool dogs walking around town. Not mongrels but St Bernards, border collies and a few labs just happily enjoying their lives in Argentina. The flights down were good, especially my Atlanta-Buenos Aires connection, where I slept 8 of 10 hours in an empty row of seats. Descending into the tricky landing strip in Ushuaia, strong mountain winds bullied the plane around and I heard the familiar, soft gurgle of puke bags being put to good use. Luckily, I was not amongst the yakkers, probably because I slept through the meal.

After nearly 20 straight hours of travel, I'm surprisingly rested and eager to check out this place. I can see making an entire vacation of just Ushuaia. Besides the peaks that ring the city, the higher mountains of Chile lay just on the horizon, looking all the world like they were manufactured in Colorado and planted here.

So a few observations:

* It's about time I learn to speak at least some Spanish.

* I admit it, the women in Aregentina seem unproportionally beautiful in relation to the general population especially if you're partial to brunettes.

* Observation 1 was not (entirely) inspired by observation 2.

* Outside of my epic sleep coup on my long flight, normal plane sleep is a weird cross between Monday morning and being stuffed the very luggage you bring onboard.

* Yes, there are chickens randomly walking around.

Only about 24 hours left of Internet access, then no more from me till I get back!! Antarctica is right around the corner.

Posted by James Dziezynski @ 1:36 PM