Come on the amazing journey
And learn all you should know.
--PT, 1969
Captain’s Log: Day 1
Before sunrise, I took a train to the airport. I almost couldn’t get out of the starting gate at SFO because the plane had a flat tire. I don’t think I’ve ever been grounded because of a flat tire before, but fortunately the tire got changed and I was on my way before I got too anxious about missing my connection in LAX. Finding my connecting flight at LAX was surprisingly challenging leading me to wonder how non-English speakers manage in this country and also how I sometimes have less difficulty in other countries than here. Nevertheless, I found the LAX international terminal, paused for long enough at LIM to exit the plane and take a few pictures, and headed to SCL.
Captain’s Log: Day 2
After taking a train to a train to a train to a plane to a bus to a plane to a bus to a plane to a 2-hour bus ride, I finally made it to Valparaiso. After traveling through Los Angeles, Lima, and Santiago I was in my fourth Spanish-speaking city in a day. I was surprised to learn that there was a two hour time difference between Lima and Santiago as I imagined that we were going further south than east. I figured this difference was due to Santiago choosing to celebrate Daylight Saving Time earlier than Lima does. (Indeed right before the end of our trip, we learned that our departure flights were pushed back an hour while our arrival times in the States were mysteriously left unchanged. This was due to a surprise Argentinean observance of Daylight Savings Time. I always thought China is smart to have just one time zone for the entire country even though the land area spans five. Of course, they also know how to make things both sweet and sour simultaneously.)
As usual, I was one of the first people to arrive, so I boarded the ship with plenty of time to explore, look for my roommate, and take inventory of the ship. I also discovered a musician, whose performances I later enjoyed on a number of occasions. I began to meet some of the team and we set sail.
One of the organizers of our trip told us that we should not get anxious about the tremendous variety of activities available to us every day; we should consider them choices not challenges. This is a very pertinent suggestion for someone like me as I hate missing things. As Great Grandma Rose said, you “can’t be in two places with one behind” and as someone with more interests than time, I have been haunted by the veracity of that statement for much of my life. Indeed, life is about balance.
A mathematician is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat which isn’t there.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 3
We spent the second day entirely at sea. For the first few days I arranged my bunk, sought the other cool kids, recruited people for my softball team and enjoyed bumping into friends during the course of my normal business. It was kind of like camp without the fire or college without the calculus. I also began to meet people outside of our group; they enjoyed hearing of my adventures as the trip progressed.
Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge; it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 4
After a full day at sea, we landed in Puerto Montt, Chile, where I had arranged to go white water rafting. I had never rafted in glacier-fed water and the snow-covered mountains and other scenery were spectacular. The Petrohué river is rated class III-IV, so we had quite an adventure. One of the first set of rapids was named Foreplay. I asked the guide what came after foreplay. He said Chicken and Swiss Cheese. I guess things are different on this side of the equator and I wondered whether this was another effect of Coriolis. Afterwards, we enjoyed some local hooch before returning to the ship.
The ship did not park at a dock in most of the ports. Rather, we took tenders--that operated as shuttles--from the ship to land. Watching the tenders dock to the ship reminded me of my docking research at NASA and MIT.
I have tried lately to read Shakespeare, and found it so intolerably dull that it nauseated me.
--CD, 1887
Captain’s Log: Day 5
On Christmas, we passed through the Chilean Fjords. The scenery was spectacular. On a number of occasions I had the ear of the resident naturalist and I enjoyed learning about pole reversals, plate tectonics, zig zag topiary, and auroras. During breaks in the viewing, I employed Christmas counter-measures, which must have worked as I didn’t see any reindeer until several days later.
The Church says that the earth is flat, but I know that it is round, for I have seen the shadow on the moon, and I have more faith in a shadow than in the Church.
--FM, 1480-1521
Captain’s Log: Day 6
On the following day, we cruised through the Straits of Magellan, inventor of the Global Positioning System and the mutual fund. It’s the shortest passage between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans between two land masses. In celebration, some of us dined in the fancy restaurant, S. S. United States, and I enjoyed one of the finest meals I’ve ever had. I was very impressed with how carefully the sommelier tasted the wine to ensure our safety and how the waiter prepared my plate almost as well as Mom did when I was a child.
Oh, show me round your snow peaked mountain way down south
--JPMcC, 1968
Captain’s Log: Day 7
We awoke early the following morning to enjoy the scenery and prepare for our first penguin hunt at Magdalena Island Natural Penguin Reserve off Punta Arenas Chile. We ferried across the Straits of Magellan to discover 70,000 Magellan penguins, one of the largest collections in Southern Chile. The penguins are very amusing and I wondered what they thought of all the people who invaded their home periodically.
We returned from the island early enough to explore the town for a bit and meet some friends, before re-boarding the ship. That night, we saw a Brazilian show that reminded me of one I saw in Brazil a few years ago when I went to Cataratas do Iguaçu. I enjoyed most of the shows on the ship even if they weren’t always as good as recent ones I’ve seen with Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Lee Lewis, or Neil Young, or at the Club Adam luau or Just L’s birthday dinner.
A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 8
Ushuaia, Argentina (55° S) is closer to the South Pole than any other city. I can now say that I’ve been to the end of the world. We arose early in the morning to watch the sunrise and other scenery, and later cruised the Beagle Channel in search of Snoopy and Darwin. On the catamaran, our guide was eager for us to share maté with her as is their custom. When others shied away, I rose to the challenge and enjoyed some maté, which reminded me of my experience near Buenos Aires on my previous trip.
We passed by the Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island) and around Isla de los Lobos (Sea Wolves Island) before landing at Lapataia Bay to explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, the southernmost national park in the world. On the bus around the park, we learned that some people eat the indigenous beaver even though many don’t like the taste. After a brief tour of the Park, we returned to the Infinity to celebrate Shabbat.
While exploring one day, I learned that Dr. A knew people from my last Israel trip. He also knew an MIT buddy, whose spacesuit glove work I inherited and who, like me, also got close to being selected as an astronaut. Another new friend knew Captain L from when they were kids. It’s certainly an amazing journey where I go to the end of the world to find people who know friends of mine from back home.
We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universes, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 9
We spent Saturday rounding Cape Horn and enjoying the scenery. This was one of the occasions that I thought of Buzz Aldrin’s comment about the moon: “magnificent desolation.” This area is so remote that the Chilean military base is occupied by only two people and their child.
Since we were up early in the morning and we were only a few hundred miles from Antarctica, many people were cold, and the crew offered their assistance. As usual, I was warm, and I was happy to lend my clothes to others. The waters here are typically rough and have been claiming ships for centuries. Indeed, because a cruise ship sank here a few months before our trip, we scored its berth in one of the ports and were able to bypass the tender shuffle on one occasion. That night we enjoyed a midnight movie in the theater after observing havdalah.
False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long; but false views, if supported by some evidence, do little harm, for every one takes a salutary pleasure in proving their falseness.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 10
Sunday was another day at sea. This gave us a chance to enjoy the facilities in the Persian (Gulf) Spa, the Thallosopoli [sic] pool, the swimming pool, and the hot tub, which was great, as I’ve long enjoyed water sports.
I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of Natural Selection.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 11
On the last day of 2007, we landed at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, where we were excited to find the largest colony of King penguins in the world and their friends. They are really quite funny to watch and are quite photogenic. In addition, we also found about 1000 Gentoo and several thousand Magellanic penguins. I had trouble remembering their names and I imagine they were equally challenged with ours. Nevertheless, it was a joy watching penguins swim and dance sideways. Also, I found it fascinating that the King penguins have a pre-nuptial moult, just like humans.
We had a very fun jeep ride to Volunteer Point, located about 50 miles from Stanley. Our driver was very entertaining and taught us about local mating rituals. Indeed, back in the real world yet another study revealed that male monkeys pay female monkeys for sex.
Without Goose running interference and inspiring me, people were taking pictures of my butt rather than the reverse. One of my new friends mentioned that she has “more pictures of [my] ass than other wildlife” leading me to wonder which other wildlife were taking pictures of my butt.
Later in the ride, I was excited to find some underpants gnomes. Our most excellent driver got us so close that I could hear them singing! Shortly thereafter, I noticed that the British continue like to have fun with street signs. Their Give Way sign reminded me of the Way Out ones I saw in the London Underground years ago. We returned to the ship to have dinner and enjoy a long night of New Year’s celebrations.
It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 12
New Year’s Day offered a relaxing day at sea punctuated by a slot machine tournament. The trip had been very action-packed and I rarely got more than a few hours sleep each evening. Fearing that the pace might cause me to get sick, I took care of my health by eating sushi and other sources of Vitamin C to prevent scurvy, washing my hands often, and loading up on anti-oxidants. Also, I was grateful that I wasn’t gaining weight despite loading up on buffets, dinners, desserts, alcohol, and other things more than usual. To compensate, I worked out a lot and the benefits really showed. Also, I rarely took the elevator either for going up or going down even though it was a sweet ride.
Man tends to increase at a greater rate than his means of subsistence.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 13
After we landed at Puerto Madryn, Argentina, we took a bus to a natural park at Peninsula Vales and we saw sea elephants enjoying the beach at Caleta Valdes. We noticed some interesting signs by the beach and strange food in the gift shop.
The very essence of instinct is that it’s followed independently of reason.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 14
On January 3, we had another day at sea en route to Punta del Este, Montevideo and we enjoyed the ship’s facilities. That evening, we had our last formal night and I enjoyed singing karaoke a few times. I had been practicing my Mick Jagger moves for The Rolling Stones’ It’s Only Rock and Roll but I Like it or Beast of Burden, but they didn’t have either of them available so I settled for I Got You Babe.
To kill an error is as good a service as, and sometimes even better than, the establishing of a new truth or fact.
--CD, 1809-1882
Captain’s Log: Day 15
Bad weather prevented us from landing at Punta del Este, Uruguay, so we plowed ahead and scored a bonus day in Montevideo. I found the people there to be friendly and my friends were impressed that I couldn’t take a quick casa de pepe break without making friends. The market in Montevideo reminded me of the one I saw in Budapest. To ensure my safety and security, I made sure to press the flesh with the policia touristica and otherwise follow directions.
Well it’s not far back to sanity
At least it’s not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away
And find serenity
--CC, 1980
Captain’s Log: Day 16
We took a Jewish Heritage tour on our second day in Montevideo. We went to services at a traditional Sephardic Synagogue and met some of the locals at lunch afterwards. After lunch, we saw the only Holocaust Memorial in South America, where the train tracks reminded me of those I saw at Treblinka a few years ago. We also saw the old Synagogue in the former Jewish area of town. It is now used only on special occasions as Jews no longer live in the immediate vicinity.
Later in the tour, we visited other important monuments. Back on the ship that evening, we had our awards assembly.
The bottles stand as empty, as they were filled before.
Time there was and plenty, but from that cup no more.
Though I could not caution all, I still might warn a few:
Don’t lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools.
--RH, 1974
Captain’s Log: Day 17
The ship landed in Buenos Aires early in the morning and since I had visited previously, I did not feel like taking a city tour that would touch only the highlights. However, since my flight did not leave until midnight that night, I thought I would prefer spending the day with my friends than sitting at the airport bar.
Not only did I review sites from my previous visit such as Madonna’s balcony, and the store where I designed my leather jacket, but I saw new things and points of interest also.
We finally got to the airport after a full day. Pomp and circumstance at EZE took forever and evidenced why we needed to get there so early. Much of the time it felt like the tortoise and the tortoise. Definitely not a good user experience and I mentally began designing a better one. I spent many hours at the airport as I was on one of the last flights.
I then slept much of the way to MIA. I always look forward to returning home after a trip and at MIA, I was reminded of the sweetness awaiting me there.
In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.
--CD, 1809-1882
Upon exiting my plane at SFO I heard what I thought was someone singing. It turned out to be Special K shouting into her cell phone! She and Diver Doug were returning from their own adventures and graciously offered to give me a lift home with the Squishy Delivery Service. As I was still hoping to slip into work that day before anyone noticed that I was gone, I greatly appreciated the expedited airport transfer. En route to Club Adam, we exchanged tales of our respective adventures and Special K reiterated her request for me to write a book on user experience design. I’m very flattered, but I’m still trying to determine what I have to say that I have not read elsewhere. Since she is relentless, I’ll have to come up with something.
I finally got home after traveling for several days. I dropped my bags, showered, and took the toy train over to work. Fortunately, my badge worked when I arrived, and my computer verified my login credentials. I’m always grateful when I return home from vacation and my job is still there waiting for me as that is not always the case. Several weeks after I returned from my trip, my employer announced record revenues and other good numbers. Always willing to do whatever it takes to aid my employer, I immediately began planning another vacation.
Oh yeah. For the record. Everybody I met on my trip was friendly and I never learned why the world hates US.
anks-Thay for playing.
©Adam Brody All rights reserved.
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