IF YOU'VE BEEN WONDERING, "WHY TIERRA DEL FUEGO, HOWIE?," WONDER NO LONGER--YOU'LL FIND THE ANSWER JUST A MOUSE CLICK AWAY

With the average tourist stay in Tierra del Fuego running two nights, even the locals wonder why Howie chose to make his way there and spend a whole week. To find out the answer--and also where to eat when you go (hint: take lots of money)--visit his Around the World blog.

AND HOWIE HIMSELF ADDS THIS NOTE

Next week when I'm home I'll post my photos, but let me tell you, the chance to walk with the penguins on a remote island in the Beagle Channel was worth it all (whatever "it all" was). The Argentines have made it possible for small groups of about a dozen people to make the eight-hour excursion out to a tiny island to visit a colony of penguins. The penguins made the island a rookery in the 60s and have been returning there every year. It was pretty mind-blowing. Visitors have very strict rules to obey about where they can and can't go. You're only allowed to whisper, and at all times peguins have the right of way (should they wander onto the fenced-off humans-permitted walkways, as they constantly do).

It's summer here, but that didn't stop a quick hailstorm, nor did it mean the temperture got above 40. The Argentines are still determined to enjoy the summer, and some even wear shorts (while I was bundled up in my layers of winterest clothes).

Anyway, now that I've been able to spend a day walking with the penguins, it's time to come home and see if there's anything that can be done about Rahm Emanuel turning the Democratic congressional caucus into another arm of the Greater International Corporate Empire (or the Borg).