Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Julian today, the only town we've seen for several days. I have been
running through some of the most desolate places on earth but now
it's a chance for Katie, Ming and Javier to catch up on the outside world
and get some internet coverage.
february 8
The winds are blowing the van around. Both Javier and Ming are having
trouble keeping it on the road so Katie is taking over the driving—she
can drive and reverse a truck better than anyone I've seen, which has
got to be hurting the boys' egos. The wind and the sleet have brought
the temperature down to 2 degrees. Even the locals are saying that this
is unusual weather for this time of year.
I have completely worn out my last pair of shoes, but I am trying
to hold on till we can buy just one more pair in Río Gallegos in three
days' time. This is not helping the alignment of my knees and ankles
but I simply don't have a choice.
The guanacos are everywhere in large numbers now and are quite
curious. They often come up close to me to try and figure out just what
I am doing in their territory.
february 10
The day started the same as every other day since I returned to South
America from the South Pole—cold and windy with plains as far as the
eye can see. I am finding this part of the run uninspiring; there are not
many people around and the days blur into each other.
I put my head down and switched to autopilot; at the 70-kilometre
mark Katie interrupted me to tell me I had a visitor. One of the Red
Cross workers from Río Gallegos had driven up to meet us, along with
a couple of guys from the local radio station. He introduced himself as
Pablo.
Pablo told me about the work the Red Cross were doing in the
region. I never cease to be amazed at the dedication and selflessness
of the people in the Red Cross. When I asked him about fundraising he
mentioned that they were doing it tough. It's a very poor region and
they don't receive any support from the government.
I took Pablo on a tour of the van, and asked him if this type of
