I’M ON ANTARCTICA!
I wanted to be more original with my title, but I can’t believe I’m here! Stepping off the plane yesterday was breath taking. I’m having trouble now just finding the words to explain how I feel. In short, I’m very excited. And since it’s Thanksgiving back home, I am so very thankful to have this adventure and to have the technology to still connect with all of YOU!
First view of Antarctica from the plane
Ok, ok, Jocelyn, give us the deets Right. So, I am currently at McMurdo Station, on the coast of Antarctica, overlooking the Ross Ice Shelf (gahh, so pretty!). When I landed yesterday, it was an unusually warm day at about 35 degrees F. I even broke a little bit of a sweat carrying all my luggage around. Today, it’s much colder, around 20 degrees F with the wind chill making it feel about 15 degrees F. This is more of what I expected Antarctica to feel like. I’m cold…but I’m warm inside!
Landed on Antarctica!
The Ross Ice Shelf
I was up early today with a scheduled flight to the South Pole at 6:45am, but it was canceled, and since Thanksgiving celebrations take place on Saturday, the earliest I’ll fly to Pole (I sound so much like the locals now) will be Monday morning, weather permitting. Nothing is officially scheduled yet, and I’m glad I have a few days to explore this station.
To answer some of your most pressing questions:
Yes, the indoors are warm.
Yes, there are hot meals. The food is quite nice for being AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD and having about 1,000 people to feed. There’s also a selection of food available 24/7, so no I’m not hungry.
Yes, there is internet, as seen by this blog post. It is quite slow, but I’m patient. Last night I got up at around 10pm to send emails because the less people on the internet, the faster it goes.
No, There is no nighttime. 24 hours of bright, wonderful daylight. After writing emails yesterday, I went to bed around 12am, and it was as bright as ever outside. I like it. It means I can look out and remember that I’M ON ANTARCTICA any time of the day.
Yes, There is a special Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. Elaine Hood (Antarctic Support) and Mike Lucibella (The Antarctic Sun) have taken me under their wings like a little ice orphan and invited me to their table. They are also making sure I know my way around the station and get the necessary trainings, have a friend, etc. I am well taken care of!
Before orientation at McMurdo
Now that I have my internet and blogging workflow set up, I’m hoping to do another blog tonight with some more details about the station, instead of me just rambling on about how happy I am. But, it’s Thanksgiving, after all, so I hope I get a pass to do so. Happy Thanksgiving!
Talk soon, friends.
Jocelyn
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