Actually, the weather down here is not that much colder than what I left behind in Chicago. We are going into winter down here at the southern tip of the southern hemisphere.
The path to the central square in Punta Arenas, Chile. The changing leaves are falling off as Winter approaches.
The first thing we all do is pick up our ECW gear – Extreme Cold Weather. This consists of lots Canada Goose jacket, long underwear, gloves, socks, polar fleece attire and an array of other stuff to keep you warm and toasty – or at least functional. Lots of wool. If you are going out in the cold, especially around water you want wool. Why? It can still keep you warm when wet as opposed to cotton. Cotton gets wet quickly and will speed up your trip to Hypothermville – as in freezing to death or serious discomfort or problems. Any of you know why? The science behind that? Email me your explanation…
Here's Paul. He was amazingly patient as we swapped out items in our quest to be both practical and fashionable on our expedition.
There is an entire warehouse full of ECW gear. So much to choose from yet so limited in the color and style array. I figured out that the best way to keep my strong sense of fashion intact is to take some lessons from our fabulous model. She wasn’t very friendly though. I couldn’t get her to say a word to me.
Hello...am I talking to myself? It was impossible to get any advice from this stylish young woman. She just gave me a blank stare. So rude.
Got my Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) gear. Luckily I can accessorize myself. Right?
That tradition has filtered down know how models can be. There’s an old tradition in Punta Arenas that if you rub the toe the many scientists who pass through on their way to Antarctica. Now, those traveling down on the LMG are told to rub the toe for safe travels through the Drake Passage, which happens to be one of the most turbulent waterways on the planet.
I'm leaning on the lucky Fuegan. If you look closely enough you will see his shiny toe. Yes, the toe.
There is something very ironic in a group of scientists following this superstitious tradition, but as Jeremy Rich, one of the scientists pointed out “does the data support it?” I decided to tempt fate and tickle the bottom of the Fuegan’s foot.
I just don't do well with superstition...