Ushuaia claims to be the 'Fin del Mundo', end of the world. A few folks in Puerto Williams, Chile would depute that I am afraid. Regardless, on Tuesday, we took at ride on 'El Tren del Fin del Mundo', the train of the end of the world.
We were supposed to be picked up at 8:45 am for a 9:30 am train departure but there was a little miscommunication. Instead we were picked up late and had a 'hold on tight' ride on a dirt road, arriving with the train all ready and waiting for us, the last passengers to board. Whew!
To help accelerate the settlement of Tierra del Fuego in the early 1900's, it was decided to build a prison in Ushuaia. Prisoners were then used as laborers to built the prison as well as buildings and homes in Ushuaia. The narrow gauge train carried the prisoners and guards to an area which is now part of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, to cut down trees for building and firewood for heating and electricity for the town. Few prisoners escaped. One individual tried and was found frozen to death a few days later. They named the river that runs through the area, Rio Pipo, after him as a reminder to other prisoners who might be considering escaping as well. The train cars have seats facing fore and aft, wide enough for two persons, with doors on each side of the row. A waterfall on the route provided water for the steam locomotives. Unfortunately the national park is in a sad state as non native animals such as rabbits and beavers were introduced to the area and have decimated some of the natural flora but we enjoyed the ride and a chance to see some other scenery.
The currency of Argentina is the peso but due to the difficulties of the Argentine economy, American dollars are welcome. When we were on Buenos Aires, people yelling 'Cambio' or change in English, lined the streets in the shopping areas offering to exchange dollars for Argentinian pesos. Here in Ushuaia, many of us gringos, go to the toy store around the corner from the casino. In the window, above a plethora of stuffed animals, is a small sign indicating the current 'blue market' exchange rate. At an ATM, you can get pesos at an exchange rate of 8%. At the toy store today, they offered 12%. As items are expensive here, it pays to take advantage.
Our friends, Dorothy and Tom, of SV Joyant arrived on Monday and last night we went out to dinner together. They went to Antarctica a few years ago and shared some of their experiences and advise. Rich and I are even more excited about going.
Tonight we will join other last minute passengers for pizza at an Irish pub for a meet and greet. Thursday afternoon we will board the Sea Spirit. Yippee!
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
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