Battle of the Planets...

The world is in a terrible state. Everyone hates everyone else, the environment hates us all, and every day the polarisation of the planet's population increases. So what's the solution? Discussion? Compassion? Aggression? No, it's none of the above. It is, as my favourite dictator, George Dubbya, has just pointed out: to land on Mars. Thank god someone has been thinking! It's so simple! By flying to Mars and landing on it, we can collect samples of red rock, which we can then use to feed the millions of starving people all over the.... mmm, hang on..... they do eat rock in africa don't they? Anyway, as Bush so eloquently read off of his autoque,

"...We've undertaken space travel because the desire to explore and understand is part of our character. And that quest has brought tangible benefits that improve our lives in countless ways."

You see? I mean if we hadn't landed on the moon then we wouldn't have bought back moon rock would we?! and where would we be without moon rock!!?

I think Mr Bush has far more sinister and paranoid reason for wanting to land on mars though. Some say it's because he wants to win the election, but I know it's far more than that. In his speech he said:

"The environment of space is hostile to human beings. Radiation and weightlessness pose dangers to human health. And we have much to learn about their long-term effects before human crews can venture through the vast voids of space for months at a time....

....Since the beginning of our space programme, America has lost 23 astronauts and one astronaut from an allied nation - men and women who believed in their mission and accepted dangers."

This isn't about exploration is it George? This is about REVENGE! You want to blow up space beacuse it killed american citizens. First it'll be the moon, then mars, then who knows what else! And do you know how much this new "War On Space" is going to cost? Bush does...

"Achieving these goals requires a long-term commitment. Nasa's current five-year budget is $86bn. Most of the funding we need for the new endeavours will come from re-allocating $11bn from within that budget.
...We need some new resources, however. I will call upon Congress to increase Nasa's budget by roughly $1bn spread over the next five years."

I'm sorry, but anything measured in billions just confuses me. I mean Bob Geldof does live aid and makes however many millions, and that manages to change the lives of millions of dying people in the third world, and now you tell me you've been spending $86,000,000,000 every five years on THINKING about exploring space??!!!! You make me sick!!! I hope you get hit by a piece of falling fueselage and die a slow and painful death, you heartless bastard.

ok. enough about that.

I am now in Santiago. Again. I've done a huge circle of exploration and finally landed safely at my point of departure. After saying farewell to Joanna in El Bolson (Hi Joanna! Sorry Joanna's dad, you'll have to devise new means of following her life!), I've spent the last 2 days on buses. The first bus was really something! They served me HOT FOOD!! The first meal was a roasted pepper stuffed with beef and rice and tomatoes, accompanied by new potatoes.... the second meal was pork chop with mashed potatoes!!! On a bus!!!! Amazing.

So now I'm in santiago again, but this time I'm no longer a gringo fresh of the plane. No, this time I'm a gringo knackered off the bus. But I can speak some spanish and I know the score man. No longer am I scared to venture out of my room. I have ventured all the way out into the hall to use the internet!! Mind you, this hostel is full of English people! Oh well, as long as they're house trained.

ok, nothing more of importance to say...

To infinity... and beyond!