Over the past few weeks I haven’t really stopped thinking about the trip overall, and given how infrequently I run into some of my work colleagues I still have people asking me about how the trip went… what we did, and all of the fun that I had. I sometimes wish I were more eloquent when I speak… it’s not an easy task to describe Antarctica!
As I always seem to mention, I feel very lucky in my life in general. I’ve been to some astonishing places, but nothing that struck me quite like Antarctica did. I’m a tall individual, and a big individual, and feeling small is not something that comes naturally when you’re typically a foot above a crowd… but Antarctica is humbling. It’s humbling in the majestic feeling that you get when you’re looking at vast expanses of white/blue glacier ice, it’s humbling when you’re climbing up a hillside and realizing just how far the ice and snow stretch behind and in front of you (let alone that you’re already on top of snow taller than you are), and it’s humbling when you realize it’s one of few places on Earth that continues to be almost entirely dedicated to scientific endeavors for the enhancement of understanding and the betterment of the human race. There is not a more pristine place on the planet, and this comes at the expense of an extremely harsh climate that would turn on you in a second if you’re not careful. I’m glad we went when we did, it’s a developmental part of my life and I appreciated this experience and the introspection that has come after it. If you have the ability, make this trip… follow this path. Antarctica is waiting for you, you’ll know what I mean when you get there.
At the same time, I recognize that having over one-hundred people just from our expedition ship hiking around the continent, regardless of intent, was not impact free. We left trails in the snow, and there were countless times ashore that people had to be reminded about wildlife limits, not to allow their plastic bags to go flying away, and what was appropriate and inappropriate behavior for the bottom of the world. Humans are consumers, and this experience had a cost just like everything else. I think we’ll see these types of tours end eventually, and maybe that’s for the best, but the experience is worth it to me and governing bodies have already limited the number of individuals who get to take the trip each year… so the best thing I can suggest on this topic is to educate yourself about where you’re going, follow the directions you’re given, and enjoy every bit of the experience. (One last call out… again thank you to Poseidon Expeditions. This trip wouldn’t have been the same with another company.)
I started this post with Antarctica, even though it’s not the only place we went. Argentina was our first stop, but it’s hard to talk about the normal places we went when the most interesting one took place in the middle… but I don’t mean to short-change Argentina. I would actually love to go back, and I could see myself living in Ushuaia if I had to… though realistically I was disappointed with just how much it felt like a tourist town. Costs were high, amenities were plentiful, and I doubt we really got a true Argentinian experience there (though I would sit all day in a Freddo’s eating coffee/ice-cream creations and never feel once like I’d been let down). At the same time, it’s a small town that reminds me a lot of some mountain towns I’ve visited in the US, and those have the same high prices and amenities… it’s all part of the experience overall. We spent four days in Ushuaia, saw the town and some of its culture, the nearby national park, and rode the Train to the End of the World. I had a lot of fun in Argentina, and I’m looking forward to revisiting it sometime again… Jen and I are both hoping they learn that you don’t have to fry chicken to death in order to make it edible by the time we go back!
Ushuaia, Argentina
Peru is altogether another story, and partially because we didn’t do the “normal tourist things” as people called them on our trip. Those who discovered we were headed to Puerto Maldonado, but not spending any time headed to Machu Picchu, were astounded that we would skip it. We have a lot more that we could have done in Peru, and if the food at the airport hotel (or in the Lodge at Inkaterra) was any indication of what the country and culture have to offer… I’ll be going back there as well. Machu Picchu is on my list, we met some extremely friendly people, and there is so much more to discover there.
Monkeys!
I don’t think I need to go back to the Amazon, however. I mentioned earlier in my entries about the mosquitoes, the heat, and the overall experience. I’m glad to have done it, I can say that I’ve trekked in the amazon and hiked trails along the Madre de Dios river… but now that I have I’m okay if I never do it again… I’ll stick to new experiences in Peru next time!
And then of course, there is traveling with Jen. Jen is always my partner in crime, the best trip companion I could imagine, and this time she really had to put on her best face. Jen brought me food when I was seasick, dealt with a roommate who constantly kept her up and coughing, and overall I doubt she’d say “I’m really glad that Brad came on this trip with me!”, so perhaps that’s the true show of our friendship together. She’ll still put up with me today, even after all of that! I’m looking forward to Australia as well, we’ve got planning to do! Along those lines, we’re evaluating budget, 2017 is looking hopeful but 2018 may be more likely for Australia. We’re both considering little trips in the meantime, so keep an eye on this blog! We’ll be updating Facebook as we post more as well, travel tips we come across and cool things that catch our interest as well. It’s a great big world out there!
A few more ends of the world to see still….
