Mendoza Travels

Our first view of the Andes.

Thank you LAN Airlines for the helpful instruction to arrive at least three hours before my flight to Mendoza, Argentina. I now find myself exactly two and a half hours before my flight sitting at a "Fridays" inside the terminal and contemplating how I'm going to make it through the next 24 hours of my life, all of which are destined to be spent on airplanes and in airports en route to my destination. This left me with time to think of an idea for a new blog post and, truth be told, what I've come up with may turn out terrible. Blog posts about mountains and rock climbing and exciting places tend to write themselves; blog posts about life on a 10-hour redeye flight do not.




The idea: A rambling series of thoughts and impressions on the events that occur during the next day of my life, which is taking me from the comforts of Toronto to the unknowns of a strange city and the gateway to the biggest adventure travels of my life. Away we go.

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 1

My life support for the next three weeks.

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Exactly one hour before I had to leave for the airport I managed to stuff all necessary climbing gear and clothing (pictured below) into the maximum number of bags allowed by the airline.  Exactly 15 minutes before that I was absolutely convinced it wouldn't happen and figured I was doomed to pay excess baggage fees ($200(!)).  My mom came to the rescue and offered to sit on my bag while I tugged furiously on the zippers.  Thanks, mom.

(Side note:  Items that didn't fit include a technical climbing pack, three meals, and many chocolate bars.  I'm pretty sure none of these items are essential for my climb, though I was thinking on my feet.)

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 2

By blogging about something that happened before I left the house I've already violated the only rule I set for this post -- that is, blogging in realtime about things that happen while I'm in transit.

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 3

When I was living in the United States there were countless times that I'd fly into Toronto, stare at the skyline while in the air, and think, "One day I'm going to be flying back, looking at this city, and know that I'm finally moving home.  And it's going to be great."  That didn't happen.  I drove home and it was a bittersweet feeling.  Today's view is less than inspiring. 

The clouds still look nice.

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 4

I just accidentally deleted my entire post and had to re-type everything up to this point. 

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 5

The most amount of action I could capture back here.

 This is the closest I'll sit to the front today:  28F (which beats 39L on my next flight).  Paul (my climbing partner) is flying first class.  Remember the Seinfeld episode where Jerry and Elaine take the same flight back to New York, with Jerry sitting in first class -- sipping on champagne and picking up supermodels -- and Elaine stuck in the miserable hell called coach.  That exact same scenario is playing out right now in my life, but unlike the show it's not very funny.  It's just me cramped up against a window and Paul getting drunk and hitting on supermodels.  

(Side note:  I know what you're thinking:  "Seinfeld references in consecutive posts?  What is this, amateur hour?"  Answer:  Yes it is.)

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 6 

My first stop on the way to Argentina was in Miami.  As I walked through the Miami airport I was the only person wearing a winter jacket, being unable to fit it into my overstuffed baggage and deciding to wear it instead (see No. 1 above).  I am now flying to Santiago, Chile, for my second stop and going hypothermic due to unnecessary air conditioning and a poor decision to place my winter jacket in the overhead bin.

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 7

At the outset of my nine-hour flight to Santiago I graciously offered to exchange seats so that two sisters could sit next to each another.  I did so before learning that my assigned seat is one of those extra comfortable, super-spacious luxury seats, and the new seat -- although only one row up -- is much, much worse.  Upon discovering this I didn't ask for my seat back, though I did make sure that everyone within shouting distance knew my good deed was not going unpunished.  

Down with seat shenanigans.

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 8

I slept exactly two hours and forty-eight minutes last night.

I knew I could count on you, Starbucks.

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 9

Paul has officially abandoned our unilateral conspiracy to grow thick, handsome mustaches for the climb.  I suspect this is related to No. 5. 

We would have looked so much more cool had Paul sported the duster.

Potentially Interesting Thing No. 10

After arriving at our hotel in Mendoza I attempted to publish this post.  I discovered a Blogger containing only Spanish text, which I do not understand.  As Paul wisely advised me, "There is probably a setting to change the language."  But, as you might of guessed, that setting too is currently in Spanish and I can't figure out how to do it.  So I sent the post to my wonderful girlfriend and she's promised to post it for me.  Thank you Ellen. 

Expressing my frustration with Blogger.