Buenos Aires

CHAPTER PREFACE:

A CHARACTER’S ACCOUNT OF BUENOS AIRES

“Argentina is home of tango, soccer, home to many theaters, and to beautiful natural wonders like Iguasu Falls and Patagonia.

When I first stepped foot into Argentina, I was captivated by the Andes on the western border and famous Mendoza with its vineyards.

In Patagonia, I was overtaken by how clean and crisp the air was; I don’t think I’d ever experienced air like that before. I trekked a glacier near El Chalten, as well as Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate. Ushuaia is the southernmost city in thew world and launch point for Antarctica.

Argentina is full of melancholic energy (tango, colonial buildings, old architecture) as well as colors, theater, expressiveness, a wide range of climates and geographies, and economic turmoil.

Buenos Aires residents are called “Porteños” because Buenos Aires was a port city. The city itself feels very European, with grand buildings and architecture. One of my favorite parts of exploring Buenos Aires was visiting the cafes and having my morning espresso with ice cream and a croissant. I also visited the cafe where Borges used to write.

Red meat is big, and my favorite food experiences were the asados (BBQs) as well as empanadas, milanesas, dulce de leche, and mate, which should be shared with friends. An artist friend shared mate with me, and I finally felt inducted into the culture.”

ON THE WALL:

(ACTUAL BOOK TEXT)

Ship’s log - Friday, January 1

55°18'S 65°25'W

The boat rocks back and forth. I step on it as if tangoing with the ocean.

My hands are sore from rock climbing three days ago. The incline was steep, almost 90 degrees.

“Help!” I called out. I was shaking, hugging the face of the wall.

“Take my hand!” you said, and together, we made it to the top.

I drank from the icy water, and the air was so fresh it was like I was breathing for the first time.

We watched the moonrise over Mount Olivia. The peak of the mountain was so impossibly grand, but I remembered that I was also carved from this earth, and therefore, we were related.

My life is as clear now as the glacier we’d trekked.

We left port two days ago and we’re headed home. I want to stay here just a little bit longer, in the realm where all things are possible. Beyond the ends of the earth, I finally know the heavens.

Bitácora de la nave - Viernes 1 de enero

55°18'S 65°25'O

El barco se mece de un lado a otro. Piso como si bailara un tango con el océano.

Tengo las manos doloridas por escalar hace tres días. La pendiente era empinadísima, casi de noventa grados.

“¡Ayúdame!”, grité. Temblaba, abrazado a la pared de roca.

“¡Dame la mano!”, dijiste, y juntos llegamos a la cima.

Tomé agua helada, y el aire era tan puro que sentí que respiraba por primera vez.

Vimos salir la luna sobre el Monte Olivia. La cima era tan grandiosa que parecía imposible, pero recordé que yo también fui tallado de esta tierra, y por eso, estábamos emparentados.

Mi vida ahora es tan clara como el glaciar que cruzamos.

Salimos del puerto hace dos días y vamos camino a casa. Quiero quedarme aquí un poco más, en este reino donde todo es posible. Más allá del fin del mundo, por fin conozco el cielo.