Vane, 32

On the same Playa Larga, on our traverse back to the hostel, we ran into a young woman who asked us to take her picture. We got to talking only to find out that she too, is from Córdoba. She lives in Río Cuarto, a small town that I know through various friends. She said she used to live in the city, but that someone in her family is sick, so she had to go back. We exchanged numbers with the idea that we could meet up during our vacation and adventure together.

Who knew it would be the very next day in which she and I would bike all of Tierra del Fuego National Park.

And like with pretty much everyone here, we shared our lives. I explained the work I am priveliged to be a part of, she explained more of her life.

She´s back home in Río Cuarto because her sister has contracted cancer. Which means she had to leave behind the job she loved in the city (where I live), her boyfriend, her home that she had grown accustom to.

But she was so joyous throughout the day. Perhaps the better term is hopeful. She loves her sister and doesn´t want her to suffer. Her sister clearly loves her enough to let Vane enjoy a month of vacation to be away from all of the stress life can bring.

I hope to stay in contact with Vane when I return. One of the perks afforded by Facebook allows us to stay in touch. Well, apart from the cell phone too. All that to say, how blessed for us to run into each other. And what a blessing to go to the end of Route 3 at the end of the park with her (picture to come!).

Carlos, 25

Perhaps my first true contact with a Brazilian, we met one morning, my first morning in Ushuaia. I was prepared to take the solo trek to Glacier Martial until someone said in broken English,"Someone going to the glacier?"

It was Georgiana, from Bs. As. who was accompanied by this Brasilero. And since the internet wasn´t working for me any way, I was able to leave with them, and save 20 pesos for the cab fare.

We talked a little bit. The taxi drivers are always wanting to learn from where their passengers come, so this one was surprised by the variety we provided, and that we were all complete strangers.

On the hike up the mountain, Georgiana had to stop and turn back, but Carlos and I kept going. We are both determined people, and we were going to touch the glacier! The only problem, is it took all the energy out of me in order to carry on a decent conversation. My heart was in my throat, and it wasn´t until we reached the top that words finally came through.

Turns out he studied Naval Engineering, which took him to Norway for half a year to study the fjords. So.. he knows Portuguese, Spanish, English, and even a little Norwegian. But multiple languages is not a surprise anymore as I travel throughout Argentina. It´s just natural.

We didn´t talk too much more, apart from the basic information of our lives. There was the complaint on my end about how I have to pay 300 dollars just to enter his country, but he reassured me that changes are on the horizon. Woohoo!

The next day we had more time to chat. Again, Georgiana backed out of the plans to go to Playa Larga, so Carlos and I made the simple hike. It led us to some daunting rocks that we happily climbed, but as no end was in sight, we stopped for a snack before turning back around.

He opened up more about his beliefs. A Catholic, who desires to be married only once and to never divorce. He seems to have good morals. "But are they enough?" I thought to myself.

We headed home, and had one more encounter where I shared with him some Fernet I had ordered at the bar.