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So here I am at the southern most city in the world, Ushuaia. I am at the end of the world, with antarctica only 1000km south. I did look into a tour to antartica, but they don't really go at this time of the year and besides they are very expensive, one for another time, when I haven't just had 9.5 months holiday maybe?!
So Ushuaia, it's cold and there is snow on the ground, I'm really wishing I had a proper winter coat. I have invested in a hat, snood and gloves but continue to rely on layering and my thin plastic rain mac to cut out the worst of the wind. It doesn't really get light here until midday, but it doesn't really ever get pitch black here either - it's a strange place to be. We have narrowly missed the darkest day they have all year, 18 hours of darkness, crazy! You really do feel like you are on the edge of the world.
So what better an activity to embark on down here, but husky sledging. Both Sharon and I were so excited, just like little kids. We went up the mountain on a little bus driven by Huan to a family run ski resort to meet our huskies. For 25 pounds, we get spoilt, first we have a feast mountain style. We weren't really sure what this meant but were willing to give it a go, basically a 3 course meal complete with bottle of wine. The main course was amazing, beef stew just like mum makes, the only thing missing was the dumplings, I think the lady could tell we were really enjoying it as she was very quick to offer seconds. So now full and slightly tipsy we get put on our sledge and off we go.
Xavier, our guide, was hanging on the back of the sledge shouting directions at the huskies, who were very obediant, especailly pinky our lead dog. We actually got up quite a bit of speed, except when going up hills (our stew was probably partly to blame!). The scenery was stunning, snow capped mountains and it was quiet all apart from our dogs and guide. A great experience, I didn't want to get off. Half way we gave the dogs a rest and went to check out the traditional indian tribes homes, I don't know how they kept warm just dressed in their animal furs living out in the open. The ones that worked in the rivers just ran around naked all day, as human skin dries quicker than clothing, crazy!! A theory I wasn't keen to test.
Stranded here for at least another day as it's Sunday and the bus companies are shut we plan to visit the national park. Sadly a snoring man in our dorm room puts pay to this idea, and none of the rest of us in our room surface until lunchtime as we didn't get sleep. A quick wander around town and an evening of sitting around in the hostel and drinking, we have a few hours sleep and are up at 4am for our next bus. 21 hours later and we should arrive in El Calafate....
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