Manuel C Taboada

In the land of Fire Manuel C Taboada

If a person wanted to start a new life, away from a busy world full of big cities and dense population centers, Tierra del Fuego seemed like the ideal place to go. According to the map, an archipelago made up of sparsely populated islands tucked away into a remote corner of the planet: it offered solitude and lots of it. That and seagulls, seals, and no end of empty gravel beaches. Looking inland, the promise of an empty land with mountains in the distance; looking out to sea, nothing but water. Segundino decides to go there. He was looking for solitude, for time to be alone, for time to contemplate life and perhaps make a new start. That, however, was not how things worked out. Actually, nothing worked out the way he intended, but he's not one bit sorry. His life there takes a different turn and he realizes that no amount of planning can overcome destiny. In the process, he learns about Tierra del Fuego, the land and its people, and what makes a strong community. To say more is to tell the story, but far from getting himself marooned in a deserted island, as was his original intention, he finds himself growing fond of the people around him, not to mention the land, and before he realizes it, he's there to stay. "In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours." Mark Twain (To people from Tierra del Fuego, this is evidence that Mr. Twain once visited their land.)