March 3, 2019 – Pretty exhausted today. All three days in Calafate were long and busy. I didn’t even have time to shop 😮 Then an 05:30 wake up today to catch my flight to Ushuaia. I’m in one piece with just a minor knee give-out/ tumble on the steel grate stairs at Perito Moreno glacier. Some kind travelers distracted me with laughter and conversation until I could walk again. I told them I have suffered my whole life from being misnamed… Nancy means “grace”… so we all had a good laugh about that 🤣 Afterwards, thankfully, only my pride was damaged a bit!! I begrudgingly wore my knee brace to the estancia the next day out of an abundance of caution, but I think wearing the brace hurts more than just toughing it out 🤷🏼♀️
Its so nice to have an afternoon to relax!! I’m taking it easy and enjoying a glass of vino tinto with lunch. I just watched the sweetest interaction… a woman several years older than me was having lonche alone, including a glass of OJ and a shot of vodka? After she finished her drink, she pulled out her compact and reapplied her lipstick. I thought she was getting ready to leave but she contentedly sat and read the newspaper. After a few minutes, a young woman with a baby came in. The baby squealed with happiness to see her abuela (grandma), possibly great-grandmother, and the young woman leaned in for a quick kiss. The older woman stood up and they walked out arm in arm. Such a sweet moment 💖
I’m in a locals part of town and I’m the only tourist in the restaurant, so English is not a priority, but I did ok!! The other patrons seem curious, and the waitstaff appreciated my attempts to speak Spanish. We giggled together when they figured out what I was trying to say… then they told me the correct way!
So nice, feeling very welcomed. I’m always amazed by the power of a smile and how far a friendly approach and an attempt to speak the local language can take me.
After lunch, I wandered up and down the main street and took a few photos. One thing I’ve noticed that’s so nice to see, and is different from home is how loving and tender people are with each other. Gentle touches, nuzzles and those knowing glances between couples, great love and affection for family, and particular attention to the elders
Speaking of that, Imma call my honey now… thanks for reading ❤️
These boys were enthralled with this grandma figure. They were touching her hands and looking up at her face with sweet smiles. The store was called Abuela Goye
Calle San Martín–the main street in Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a bustling, seemingly little port city with about 25,000 (the estimates vary from 12,000 to 60,000) residents. It claims to be the fastest-growing city in the world 😳
even a Hard Rock Cafe!
Its a long ways to anywhere!
In the shadows of the southern Andes and the gateway to Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world!
Travels with Nance 