Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/21/2012 - 09:14
Forums
Seafloor Organisms and Changing Ocean Conditions in Antarctic

Hi Ms. Herrmann, My name is Mackenzie Kirsch and I work on part of the yearbook staff at State High. For part of a spread I am working on, there is a picture of you in the airport waiting for your flight. If you could just tell me your thoughts about how the traveling experience was or anything that was eventful that stuck out in your mind, that would be great! Thank you so much! I hope all is going well so far, good luck with everything!!

Mackenzie Kirsch

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 10:58

Nell Herrmann

Hi Mackenzie,Of course I know who you are! Thanks for the note and thanks for writing about me in the yearbook! How nice! I have a lot of pictures that are more interesting than the one of me in the airport- do you want any others? Feel free to take whatever from my journals or I can send some. You just want to know about the actual traveling? Well... spending over 30 hours on planes and in airports was mentally and physically challenging. I wasn't able to sleep on my flight to Santiago because I was so excited. My ankles swelled up for some reason which was weird (and pretty gross) and then I missed my flight in Santiago. I had to get help from a Chilean man who works with the U.S. Antarctic Program to help scientists traveling to Antarctica. He spoke to me (quickly!) in Spanish (I don't speak Spanish), took my passport and ran away in the airport. I hadn't slept in over 24 hours at this point, so it was all a tad stressful. I missed my connection after all of that excitement and then had to wait in the U.S. Antarctic Program office for another flight. I eventually got one and was relieved. Once I got to Punta Arenas (on the tip of Chile), my bags didn't arrive. You can imagine that when you've packed for a 5-week long trip to Antarctica it's kind of important to have your "stuff." I was so happy when it showed up at about 11:15 p.m. the night before I had to get on the boat. The boat ride was long; it took almost a week to get from Punta Arenas, Chile to Palmer Station Antarctica and the ride through the Drake Passage was pretty bumpy. The trip was exciting overall, though, even with missed connections and lost bags. I am having an incredible experience and am learning so much. I feel very fortunate.
Thanks,
Ms. Herrmann

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 09:06

Anonymous

Thank you so much!!! So sorry to hear about all your travel problems! I hope you are enjoying your trip otherwise, we are all thinking of you back at State College!

Wed, 02/22/2012 - 09:42

Nell Herrmann

Hi Mackenzie,Thanks! It wasn't a big deal; it was all just part of the adventure! ;)
-Ms. Herrmann

Thu, 02/23/2012 - 09:02

Anonymous

Hello,
If it wouldn't be a problem, it would be great if you could send me some more pictures of you and your travels. Any pictures that are interesting or with you in them would be perfect. Thank you so much!!
Mackenzie

Thu, 02/23/2012 - 10:13

Nell Herrmann

Hi Mackenzie,I'll send some pictures to your SCASD email, okay?
Thanks for your interest!
-Ms. Herrmann