We said some of our goodbyes in the Discovery Lounge before disembarking the ship.   We had arrived in the Ushuaia Port a little later than anticipated but none of us were worried about catching a flight.   Everyone was venturing in a different direction, on their way to a new adventure.  We were saying goodbye to some great friends, it was the end of a journey.  

 

I had an earlier flight than the others but there was a problem with storing my luggage. I went with Rej from the boat, we left our luggage in his hotel room and then wandered into Ushuaia.  The others went to a luggage storage facility to leave their luggage and then we met them in town.  Everyone had a few things we wanted to do in town before we left. 

 

 I was the first to leave as my flight was earlier than the others.  Rej was the only one I had to say goodbye to though as the rest of us were meeting up in Buenos Aires later in the day.  In the end there were issues at the airport and three flights were put together; we all flew back to Buenos Aires together. 

 

We arrived back at the hotel and after settling in we agreed to meet for dinner.  Joe had already checked into a different hotel and we had said goodbye to David and Ursula.  It was a beautiful night in Buenos Aires to walk along the water in Puerto Madero.  We had a great dinner where we could sit in an outdoor patio, it was terrific!  After dinner we went for another walk and then we had to say goodbye to Joe.  Amy, Jeff and I headed back to our hotel for my final night in South America on this adventure. 

 

 I would be heading home the following afternoon after being away for two and a half months.  It was difficult to say goodbye.  Although I had only known these friends for a short period I feel as close to them as I am to some friends I have known for years.  One of my favourite quotes has always been the 

St. Augustine one that says ‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.’ (maybe it’s the book lover in me, I don’t know). When you travel it is not about the destination but about a new way of seeing things.  This was a group of friends that not only allowed me to see things in a new way  but a group of friends that witnessed together a part of the world that very few people have ever seen.  I have been very fortunate to spend my time with such wonderful company.  

 

We didn’t sleep much that evening – I don’t think I even attempted to sleep.  That’s not a shocker for me though, I know!  Jeff and I weren’t heading to the airport until later in the day but Amy was leaving for her next adventure  at 6:30 in the morning.  We went to breakfastwith Amy and then saw her off.  

 

I went for a short run along the water in Puerto Madero.  Really, what a great way to start my final day in South America?!  The funniest thing happened to me on my run however.  As I was running two guys starting singing to me –

 

“Nossa, Nossa 

Assim voice me mata

Ai se eu te pego

Ai ai se eu te pego”

 

I have to say I was laughing so hard I couldn’t keep running.  This song is definitely a South American theme song!  It is everywhere.  It was an extraordinary way to begin the journey home.

 

Jeff and I spent the day wandering around Buenos Aires.  It was great!   I wanted to see the library and after three trips to B.A.  ( four trips to Argentina) I finally made it to the library.  Yeah!  Jeff wanted to see the Steel Flower, which is an icon of Buenos Aires.  The real name is Floralis  Generica but everyone refers to it just as the big steel flower.  It opens and closes like a real flower.  I thought Jeff should see Recoleta Cemetery as well.  We managed to fit everything in which was terrific.  We had a wonderful day.  

 

We headed to the airport for our return flight to Canada.  The flight was uneventful however, when I landed back in Toronto I was without my luggage.  It somehow seemed fitting as I arrived in South America without my luggage to begin this adventure.

 

“A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles” Tim Cahill