Landing in Ushuaia
Fortunately my Aerolineas flight was once again on time and experienced none of the problems currently plaguing the company. Knowing Argentine security to be much more lax, I tried carrying on my tripod, but they made me check it with the other bags. So, I went back downstairs, attached it to my small backpack, and hoped it would be alright, despite being exposed to abuse. Fortunately, it arrived safe and sound, as did my large backpack.
The descent into Ushuaia was beautiful. After traveling by bus earlier, I couldn’t believe we were arriving after only 3 1/2 hours. The landing strip was located right on the Beagle Channel and gave outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. The city didn’t look too far away, so I foolishly decided to walk from the airport. Within 5 minutes, it began to rain, the typical Patagonia wind picked up, and I realized it was further than I had thought. To my rescue came a kind couple from Rio Grande as they pulled over and offered me a ride in their Honda CR-V. I gratefully accepted and enjoyed the few minutes of pleasant conversation as they told me a little bit about the area. The wife was from northern Argentina and the husband, who did most of the talking, was from San Isidro, not far from where I lived in Nuñez. I was impressed by the clarity with which he spoke and never would have guessed he was from Buenos Aires. They dropped me off at the visitor center and I thanked them for their hospitality. I bypassed the center in favor of a backpackers’ hostel listed in my Lonely Planet guidebook. I had somehow forgotten to reserve a hostel, but thankfully they had beds available.
I headed to the grocery store and picked up boring backpacking foods like pasta, cereal, powdered milk, and cookies. Back at the hostel I sat down to eat supper in the kitchen and talked with a young guy from Germany. He had visited many of the destinations on my list, so I picked his brain for a while. We were also joined by an Argentine, a young Dutchman, and a 32 year old guy from Poland. Of course they all spoke excellent English, so this was our means of communication. Most of them were leaving Ushuaia, but Marnix, from the Netherlands, had just arrived. I asked him if he wanted company, and even if somewhat reluctantly, he agreed to go with me to Tierra del Fuego National Park the following day.
I was tired and grateful to have a bed, given my oversight in regard to booking a hostel. Before going to sleep, I talked for 20-30 minutes with the Polish man, who was perched in the upper bunk, kitty corner from me. Had we been able to spend more time together, I think I would’ve enjoyed getting to know him. He was good natured, smiling, and energetic. And unlike many western Europeans, I think he understood me as an American and even commented on how many places around the world American flags had been buried. He talked about the positive changes in Poland since the fall of communism, the economy and its 7% growth rate, and an optimistic future. We were later joined by a young German who was more reserved and didn’t have a lot to say. I went to bed once again amazed at the variety of tourists in Argentina.
