27th February [T-1]: Ushuaia —
La Posta/ Arakur
7 A.M.: With rain lashing on my window, I woke up with a jolt from my hostel bed in Ushuaia. How can it be raining today? Since the past few weeks, every thing has become a sign. I try to recall and interpret the meaning of what I was seeing through the window- grey clouds, wind, rain… Argh! It took a few long breaths to calm down.
Nope, not today. After having traveled close to 19,000 kilometers, being at the Southern tip of South America, I have earnt my right of passage. So, I try and relate this Rain as one last cleansing act before I go ‘further south’.Today will be my last day on Land. I have a few hours left in the town of Ushuaia to gather last minute essentials. So, I dash across the town.
( The Big secret is that there’s no big Secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to Work! ~ Oprah Winfrey)
10 A.M.: One of the most striking features about this quaint little town, that needs a special mention (apart from the gigantic roses and the astonishing number of dogs) is their efficient system of discarding Plastic. There are huge Yellow containers at most street corners, and as you walk past it, you can chuck any unwanted plastic bottles, bags etc. and the Note on it read that it goes straight into the Recycling plant. Phew! Good practices can be found even at the end of the world, if only you are willing to look.
(DID YOU KNOW!? Over the last ten years we have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century, and 50% of it is Single-use Plastic)
In a few hours we would check-in to Arakur Resort & Spa, where we’ll be meeting the 2018 cohort of Climate Force Ambassadors from about 25 countries around the world. All gathered with the same sense of purpose, pushing their limits, moving out of their comfort zone, to do little extra for a cause they all believe is the need of the hour.
Arakur is situated on a natural balcony in Reserva Natural Cerro Alarken. One night of comfort before we hit open waters. We all gathered here, so that we could acquaint ourselves with each other ,as these will be the only people we’ll be seeing through the next couple of weeks, and it’s important that we stood together as a team.
…and of course, a run through of the safety principles, meet the Expedition team, and the One Man who is the reason behind this entire project.
4 P.M.: I met Sir Robert Swan, OBE for the first time in 2013, while I was a Teach For India Fellow in Pune. Cut the chase to 2018, and half a decade later, I followed him half way around the globe to be inspired by him yet again.
(DID YOU KNOW!? OBE implies Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), an Award given in the United Kingdom for prominent contributions in various fields)
When Rob takes the stage, all of us fall silent. He has a magnetic personality and his story is an inspiration to many. Perhaps, each us were thinking of our own little journey, or how we will be a part of the jigsaw, or just about tonight!
What will you do if you had one last night on land? For me, it was a mix of celebration and some quite reflection.
8 P.M.: Jacuzzi at the end of the world, nestling under the Andes, overlooking the town of Ushuaia, with the ship dockyard at a distance, and our Expedition path just around the corner! Who’d say no to that.
Floating under the stars in the sky, and the lights below, there was some calm nothingness!
12: 47 A.M.: Exhausted, we ordered dinner in the room. With twinkling city lights down in the valley, and the darkness beyond. The Ocean awaits, but tonight we sleep.
(‘We’ above is Anjuli Pandit, Head of Sustainability for Europe at BNP Paribas. My room/ cabin mate, and she goes on to become my Antarctic partner. More on that later…)
