Jan 1-2-Trip
Home-Summary Recommendation
The trip home has been long but not difficult. The weather had moderated by our return to
BsAs-high 80’s so there were no more protests or energy outages. In fact is rained heavily with pretty
spectacular lightning and thunder beginning at 5am (I am used to thunderstorms
in the afternoon). An interesting
phenomenon is that in South America it is the tradition to clap when the
airline lands, even if it is a smooth ride.
That is quite nice-applauding the expertise of the pilot. Perhaps it says something about the
appreciative nature of the folks here.
So how would I rate the trip? In one sense it was disappointing. We really did not see anything new. We had seen glaciers in Alaska, beautiful
mountains and lakes in the Alps of Switzerland and Italy and native cultures
more interesting in northern South America (especially Peru). It is also a long and expensive flight-15
hours from DC to El Calafate and around $2,000.
You can get to Adu Dhabi in that time and for that money! Also, as noted the food was
disappointing. So I would not compare it
favorably to our expeditions to other parts of the world (China, India,
Cambodia/Laos/Vietnam, Australia).
However, it was a great trip in many other ways. It was a time for Karen and me to spend
extended time together and in our 45th year of marriage there is
still romance in that. I also was
relaxed and did not think much of work; it clears the mind and I am ready to
get back to work.
I wish you all a New Year filled with only good health and
happiness.
Mark
