Buenos Aires November 13, 2009

Friday the 13th, it must be said, is not the most auspicious date for travelling.

But after delays in Rio and Sao Paulo, I’m finally here in Buenos Aires, my luggage is with me and not in Bolivia or Omaha, and I survived the rally car race from the airport.

I’m staying on a leafy, cobbled street in the heart of the city, with sidewalk cafés still bustling at midnight.  It was a very un-Antarctic 30°C today with 90% humidity in Rio, but it’s a bit cooler here in Buenos Aires.  My hostel is an old Spanish-style building with colourfully-painted walls.  And in a sure sign I’m not in England anymore, right outside my room is a reverentionally-framed poster of Diego Maradona clutching the “Hand of God”-aided World Cup.

Tomorrow’s entry will be the first part of a Q&A on the expedition, Antarctica, and climate change, so send me your questions.  I’ll start with questions I’ve received on what we’ll be seeing and doing on the expedition.  But please also send your questions on Antarctica and climate change in general.  What would you like to know that my upcoming experience might help to answer?  I’m hoping you’ll have some questions that I can’t yet answer — all the more reason to be going!