Day 10 – Tuesday, January 25
The waves ease somewhat. Wake up to subdued sunshine once again. Can hold a little food this day. We are all just passing time, awaiting our return to the Beagle Channel. I put together an e-mail distribution list for the passengers so we can exchange jokes, photos, and memories later on. A number of fellow passengers have unofficially elected me as the leader (read that as fearless loudmouth) to bring issues to the attention of the Captain and Expedition Staff. That includes announcements. We make one, reuniting all those of us who had gone down the big snow slope several days previous for a group picture. The group is distinctive for its "mind over body" spirit, reflecting all age groups but only excessive enthusiasm. We call ourselves the "Polar Star Antarctic Bobsled Team, 2011." Tryouts are slated for next year, perhaps in The Arctic. It is amusing for me, trying to match obscure e-mail addresses from those who forgot to add a name or home town to the entry so we can recognize who is who. I ultimately hurl my stomach contents twice more, before we land. But it is our last night together, and now everybody is on the observation deck, no matter how ill they feel or worn out they have become. A full court press of farewells takes place all over the Observation Deck, our home away from home these last ten days. The music and guitars come out. So does the serious liquor. Dancing begins. I make the rounds, to visit as many fellow passengers as I can. The two pantywaists from Holland retreat for bed about 2 AM, just about the time our pilot boat links up with us in the Beagle Channel. Adam and I (there is definite magic to Room 330) close out the bar at 3:56 AM, along with a couple of the staff members who shall remain unnamed. We are docked in Ushuaia by about 7 AM, and encouraged off the boat by 8:30 AM. It has been quite the adventure…
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