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| Port of Call - Ushuaia, Argentina |
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| Spectacular mountain scenery on horse back at
the foot of the Andes |
Rugged up in wet weather clothing, as well as warm
layers to brave the low temperatures, Peace Boat participants disembarked
the ship in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. 'Ushuaia', the
name of the capital city of Tierra del Fuego, is an Anglocized version
of the Y疥ana natives' word meaning 'bay towards the end'. Set against
the snow-capped Andes range on the Beagle Canal, the picture-postcard
scenery of the ski-resort town combines glacial peaks with pristine
forest. Even in mid-summer, there was a fresh chill in the air, although
the region was covered in dandelions and other wildflowers.
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| Displaying skilful horsemanship during the cultural
exchange with Gauchos |
Tamiko, a Japanese speaking tour guide whose grandparents
immigrated from Japan to southern Argentina, provided very special
guidance for the group of participants who spent the day on the cultural
exchange tour option. On the way to the farm on the outskirts of Ushuaia,
where the 'Gauchos' or cowboy community lives, Tamiko played a combination
of Argentine and Japanese folk music on her traditional 'charango'
(Andean stringed instrument). She also explained that the 'Gauchos'
were originally European immigrants who moved around herding cows
on the pampas covered region of Argentina. An organization called
'Ballet Folclorico Cruz Del Sur', which combines horse-riding lessons,
traditional folk dancing, singing and cuisine, provided the interface
for our Peace Boat group to experience 'Gauchos' culture, as well
as interact with local people and demonstrate some Japanese traditions
and cultural specialities. After inhaling some mountain fresh air
on horse-back, participants watched in awe as the spur-footed, poncho-wearing
cowboys exhibited their skilled horsemanship. For instance, the father
of a six-year old boy directed the horse from a lying position to
rise with the small child on its back. |
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| Talented student at the 'Ballet Folclorico Cruz
Del Sur' with 'boleadoras' |
Indoors, we helped in the kitchen making 'pastalito'
(guava jam pastries) and watched on as the cook barbecued four lambs
on the open spit fire. And then the dancing began! Men lined up on
one side, women on the other, we learnt the steps of the Argentine
'Zamba' while clutching a scarf, and the seductive 'Chacarera' together
with the young local Ballet Folclorico students. In the enormous wooden
barn, we watched on as the costumed folk dancers put on a lively musical
that conveyed the life of a caravanning Gauchos community. Boys then
demonstrated their skill with the 'boleadoras', balls on a long string
that are spun in circles in each hand to create rhythms and tricks,
and tried to teach us how to master them too. In return, Peace Boat
participants set up a series of workshop areas where we could show
our Gauchos friends how to write their name in Japanese kanji characters
using calligraphy; drink Japanese green tea and eat sugar cane snacks,
make origami creations, amongst other games and crafts from Japan.
Although the exchange session was for only part of a day, both parties
felt like they had been able to do some 'show and tell' as well as
'learn and try' something new. Rather than being a typical sightseeing
tourist who looks on passively as everything is done for them, Peace
Boat participants got the feeling that they were able to impart something
interesting about their own culture that was much appreciated by the
local Ushuaia people, as well as experience local culture.
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| Peace Ball and Ushuaia soccer players play some
alternative table soccer 'fuﾟball' |
Soccer is massively popular, even at the so-called
'end of the earth' in 40,000 person Ushuaia, which pleased the Peace
Ball team of twenty-five who planned their port of call time around
a soccer exchange with a local team. For half a day, the Peace Ball
crew played a competitive game of soccer, followed by a fun game,
and some hanging out time with a group of amateur Ushuaia players
in their early twenties. The participation of thirteen year olds Takuma
Nishimaki and Satsuki Okugawa from Japan, showed that the younger
kids, as well as the girls, were also welcome. Unlike the Peace Ball
soccer encounter in Buenos Aires, communication was even trickier
as even less English, and absolutely no Japanese was spoken by the
local players, and only a tiny bit of 'Espanol' came from the Peace
Boat side. But as always, soccer worked its magic as being the ultimate
medium to allow people of different backgrounds and ages to have fun
and enjoy getting to know each other. Following the game, everyone
munched on Argentine hot dogs, including a 'chorizo' sausage and 'pan'
and the local soft drinks. Lots of healthy active fun was had, and
Peace Ball looks forward to keeping up the soccer exchange with the
Ushuaia players again next time we are rounding Cape Horn.
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| Encountering some boggy marsh during the trek
in 'Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego' |
Trekking in Patagonia. It's something that most
outdoors types would love a chance to do. Many lucky Peace Boat participants
ventured twelve kilometres west of Ushuaia, to Tierra del Fuego National
Park, the only national park in Argentina that includes a maritime
coast. The stunning scenery includes deciduous and evergreen beech
trees, rivers, peat bogs and marine coasts, all representative elements
of the subantarctic forest. Trekkers put on rain boots and began their
four hour round hike that took them within a stone's throw of magnificent
glacial peaks and alongside pristine Lake Esmerelda. Although the
weather was mostly cloudy and rainy, the brief moments of sunshine
lit the torquoise mineral water of the lake up with sparkling splendour.
The terrain was unique. One moment you were bouncing along red sponge-like
moss, and the next you had to take care not to sink up to your knees
in thick mud. Although trekkers were not fortunate enough to lay eyes
on any guanacos or foxes, rabbits or beavers, the unspoilt surroundings
were home to some incredible bird life, including cormorants, ducks
and geese. Despite the dampness, trekkers arrived back at the ship
with glowing, happy faces and more than a speck of mud on their gear!
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| Peace Boat's
40th Voyage index |
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PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
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