It is Monday November 10 in New Zealand and this is the day of my scheduled "Ice Flight". I arrived at the Clothing Distribution Center around 0530 and began playing "musical luggage" again. I left the clothes I would not need until the trip was over in a storage area at the Clothing Distribution Center. I carried two bags on the plane: a backpack containing my computer and a small orange bag with my purse, lunch, iPod, and camera. Oh and don't forget the "boomerang" bag which went - I'm not sure where but it was the all important bag. Enough already! I have to admit that I had been in good spirits until I had to play musical luggage. Since I am an extremely organized person, I found it difficult and stressful to move items around in my carefully packed luggage. Also, I was having trouble concentrating on which items belonged in which bag and it was taking longer than usual for me to think about it and pack. I finally realized that I might be experiencing a form of jet lag and decided it is ok to be luggage challenged.
Here is the good news. All the bags made it on the plane and the plane took off as scheduled. There is always a chance that planes may not take off or be able to land in Antarctica due to weather, but we were good to go and soon on our way to McMurdo.
All dressed in flight pants and waiting to board the plane
The flight took 5 hours from Christchurch, New Zealand to McMurdo Air Station.
I looked though the airplane window and saw my first view of Antarctica
The comment I heard most from everyone on the plane was that it looks so white
The C-17 arrives at McMurdo Air Station.
Upon arrival at McMurdo Air Station, we were transported by bus to the National Science Foundation office for a briefing and then received our room assignments and keys. After checking in our rooms, we went to the laundry to pick up bedding and linen and then retrieved our luggage. And yes, all of my bags arrived in McMurdo including the boomerang bag!
So it's official - here is my red jacket, affectionately called "Big Red" I am now part of the National Science Foundation's United States Antarctica Program for the 2008-2009 season.
My jacket says that I am an official participant in the NSF U.S. Antarctic Program
So what's next? I have snow training on November 11 and 12 (also called "Happy Camper School"). This will be my first experience sleeping outdoors overnight in Antarctica before I head up to the Dry Valleys to join Dave Marchant's team.
It is 2230 (10:30 p.m.) at McMurdo Station and the sun is as bright as 12:00 noon! Stay tuned for pictures.