I was already planning my Antarctic trip when I was in Ireland, and actually already looking ahead to it. Ireland was a blast, but this one, Argentina and Antarctica, was gonna be a biggie.

But really, when it came down to it, I had no interest in going to Argentina. To me it was just a country I had to get through on my way to Antarctica, the place I really wanted to go.

I tried studying the history of Argentina, as I do with every country I visit, but couldn't really get into it. Evita just held no interest for me.

But yet it was here, in the country that held really no interest for me, that I would meet two of the nicest people I've ever met in my entire life.

After landing in Buenos Aires, meeting up with my driver at the airport and transfering to my hotel I decided to take a walk, have some of that famous Argentine steak for dinner, and lounge in a park near Florida Street.

As I was kicking back in the park in the sweltering heat in January, thinking about how in just a couple of days I would be experiencing the exact opposite, an elderly man approached me trying to strike up a conversation.

Unfortunately I've struggled with other languages all of my life and couldn't understand a word he was saying, but yet he took me by the hand and walked with me down Florida Street trying to show me the sites.

We walked along Florida Street for a while, but ultimately I bid him good day, appreciative of his friendliness and company, and strolled the street alone. I was dog tired and wanted to go back to the hotel anyway and just crash since the next day was going to be a long one.

Thankfully I was able to sleep in the next day, but I had to be out of my room before my driver was to pick me up to take me to the national airport for my flight to Ushuaia, the southern most city in South America. From here I would set sail to Antarctica aboard the M/V Orlova.

So I woke up, checked my bags at the bell desk and relaxed in the lounge with a snack and a drink.

My driver arrived right on time to take me to the aiport, but there was one little problem...my bags were no longer there.

Apparently they were loaded on a bus bound for Mexico with a group of tourists that checked out of the hotel at the same time I did. The bell hop mixed up my bags with theirs and they were on their way.

After much frantic phone calling the hotel reception desk was able to locate the bus and have them bring my bags to the national airport to meet me.

But, again, there was one little problem...my flight departed before the bags were to get there and I couldn't get on a later flight.

In this one moment though, this complete stranger, my driver, did the nicest thing any perfect stranger has ever done for me...he stayed at the airport and waited for my bags to arrive so he could put them on a later flight bound for Ushuaia.

Thankfully Aerolinias Argentinas was considerate enough in this post 9/11 era to allow my bags to travel on the plane without me.

And so, shortly after arriving in Ushuaia, my bags followed me all wrapped up in a very thick plastic. It was so covered actually, the airline employee couldn't initially find them because nothing matched the desciption I gave her of my bags. But, after checking several tags, we located them and I made my way to my hotel and ultimately on to Antarcitca (right).

These two men put my trip off on the right foot, so to speak. I will never forget their kindness, and actually even saved the business card of the driver so I can use his services when I go back to Antarctica, which I will do someday.

I think there's also a good lesson to be learned in this: a lot can be said of your country based on how you help strangers from others. If you want people to think of you and your country positively, help them out when and where you can when they're in yours and in need of assistance.