It seemed like we traveled back in time to be kids again for an hour and a half today during one of the most joyful recesses I have attended! The whole science group got to leave the comfortable confinement of the ship for the first time in seven weeks.
Folks were ready for the ice party by 9:30 am on the back deck, all geared up with the mandatory float coats and some with full float jumpsuits. A couple of seals came out of the water behind the ship as the welcoming committee, but remained in an unreachable area. The crew had already setup the gangway.
Palmer's gangway for an ice party. It could be called 'freedome'
The first to land on the ice were Mike and Barry, who looked like shamans performing some sort of exorcism on the ice as they danced around with their long spears. They were probing the safety of the ice, and determining how far we could be from the ship. Dr. Bill Landing followed them to collect samples from the pristine snow, although the diesel exhaust of the ship's engines was making its way to our playground.
Mike and Barry probing the ice
Playground is the right word to describe what the deep snow covered ice became in just a few minutes. Taking pictures as I walked around the crowd reminded me of when I pick up Ana from day care on a warm afternoon. I arrive to see a hive of kids running around, playing on the monkey bars and slides, or cooking some delicious cakes in the sand box. The feeling was the same, with some folks playing soccer and others playing football. Some decided to create human pyramids and played what seemed like a novel game of 'let us go, you and I , and tackle unsuspecting random people'. Laughs could be heard all around; pure unadulterated children's joy.
Palmer and gang on the ice
Bill exchanged his snow samples for his saxophone and provided the soundtrack for the experience. Here is a picture of the Palmer and the people enjoying themselves,
Musical view of the Palmer on the ice as Bill shares his talent
Dan brought down his bicycle, but the snow was way to deep to go anywhere. It became a good photo prop for a lot of people.
Bike and Palmer on the ice. Dan attempted to ride his bike, but there was too much snow for it.
I spent some time taking pictures and then it was time for the soccer match. We had to play among ourselves after the local team, which plays in black and white uniforms, forfeited the game. Rumor has it that they insisted on a water polo match as opposed to a soccer one. We jumped on the pitch all geared up with our steel toed plastic boots and a float coats as jersey. I did not intend to be a snob while wearing the jersey of my team back home, the Wheezers United. I donned the jersey to take a picture to show my teammates and ended playing the match wearing it. We used the crew's deflated leather basket ball as a soccer ball, and a couple of camera backpacks for the goals. I was afraid the strong wind would blow the ball far from our reach, but that did not happen because it got all soaked up in water and became quite heavy. We had five players on each side and the ball began to roll. I had been dreaming of playing a soccer game on Antarctica and was a bit disappointed with my lung capacity. Running on the deep snow proved more challenging than playing on sand, and I showed why I play on the Wheezers; it could also have been the pile of years that suddenly accumulated on me.
An impromptu pick up soccer match developed on the snow, as the local team insisted on a water polo match. I am attempting to conduct the ball down the snowy field
Sarah proved to be an amazing goal keeper, but unfortunately for me, she played for the opposing team. I could tell Eugene had learn to play the sport back in the 70's when slide tackling was still allowed on the US. Thankfully the snow provided good cushioning. Interestingly, out of the 10 players on the field, we had a player born in each of the following countries: China, Philippines, France, Belgium, Portugal, Mexico, and Argentina. The other three from the US. Quite fitting for the only pitch in the world that does not belong to any country.
Science party and RPSCmembers of the CLIVAR and Carbon S4P (NBP-1102) cruise
A loud punctual whistle from the ship announced the end of recess, like on my youth. We all strolled back inside our home, full of indelible memories.