Friday, November 23, 2012
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, September 9
Today's plan:
6 am wake up, catch shuttle at 7 am, training until noon, take the shuttle to the Denver airport, wait for hours, fly to the Los Angeles airport, wait, fly from LA to Auckland NZ, wait, fly from Auckland to Christchurch, pick up our hotel reservation, take shuttle to hotel.
Our itinerary has us arriving in Christchurch on Saturday, October 11 at 10:20 am.
Lucas
6 am wake up, catch shuttle at 7 am, training until noon, take the shuttle to the Denver airport, wait for hours, fly to the Los Angeles airport, wait, fly from LA to Auckland NZ, wait, fly from Auckland to Christchurch, pick up our hotel reservation, take shuttle to hotel.
Our itinerary has us arriving in Christchurch on Saturday, October 11 at 10:20 am.
Lucas
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Tuesday, October 7th
Alex and I are at the airport in Dallas, TX. We are both laying on the floor. Alex is reading a national bestseller and I am left attempting to entertain myself. We are on our way to Denver for two days of training before the long flight to New Zealand. We'll spend two days in New Zealand and are set to arrive in Antarctica on the 13th. Our mailing address will be:
PSC 469, Box 700
APO, AP 96599-1035
PSC 469, Box 700
APO, AP 96599-1035
Sunday, February 24, 2008
February 24
Today is the day. My plane is on it's way. I transport at 12:30 and should be in the air by 2:30p.
I not sure exactly how to end the blog. We danced last night, like so many other evenings in Antarctica. It's a fitting end to this continent. I feel alive and human, I think I might love it here.
I think the blog is such a reflection of my experience. It was fascinating and all-good in the beginning, become mundane, and as I grew more into the community I grew away from the blog.
The penguins, the seals, the whales, the pressure ridges, the pastel colors of the sky, the all-so-pretty mountains and the daily fresh baked bread have all been a blessing, but what has made my Antarctica has to be the dancing, the stories of other travels and lives and how I am surrounded by people that feel human and alive.
I not sure exactly how to end the blog. We danced last night, like so many other evenings in Antarctica. It's a fitting end to this continent. I feel alive and human, I think I might love it here.
I think the blog is such a reflection of my experience. It was fascinating and all-good in the beginning, become mundane, and as I grew more into the community I grew away from the blog.
The penguins, the seals, the whales, the pressure ridges, the pastel colors of the sky, the all-so-pretty mountains and the daily fresh baked bread have all been a blessing, but what has made my Antarctica has to be the dancing, the stories of other travels and lives and how I am surrounded by people that feel human and alive.
Friday, February 22, 2008
February 22
I am still in Antarctica. My flight has been delayed for two days due to weather. I worked 4 hours today and spent the remaining time entertaining myself with euchre games, a nap, and enjoying other's company.
The weather is nastier this evening than we've seen yet, so I'm not so optimistic about tomorrow's odds.
Alex arrives in New Zealand on Monday, so as long as I'm off the ice by then I won't mind so much. I figure I make at least $50 a day salary and save at least $50 a day by not being in Christchurch.
The weather is nastier this evening than we've seen yet, so I'm not so optimistic about tomorrow's odds.
Alex arrives in New Zealand on Monday, so as long as I'm off the ice by then I won't mind so much. I figure I make at least $50 a day salary and save at least $50 a day by not being in Christchurch.
Monday, February 18, 2008
February 18th
Tomorrow is my last full day of work in Antarctica. The next day I work two hours and have the rest of the day off to pack for my flight to New Zealand on the 21st.
We are down to less than 8 janitors now. I spent most all day taking out trash and cleaning restrooms. Gone are the days of meditative mopping.
All is well, I spend a lot of time looking forward to seeing Alex again. She arrives in New Zealand on the 25th and has a month away from work. We plan to spend a couple weeks walking and a couple weeks for sightseeing, logistics and such.
We are down to less than 8 janitors now. I spent most all day taking out trash and cleaning restrooms. Gone are the days of meditative mopping.
All is well, I spend a lot of time looking forward to seeing Alex again. She arrives in New Zealand on the 25th and has a month away from work. We plan to spend a couple weeks walking and a couple weeks for sightseeing, logistics and such.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
February 16
It is totally feeling like the end. In this town of 1,000 people, nearly 100 folks are leaving every other day. The last flight out is on the 23rd, then one flight in April and the next flight isn't until August. I think it's all so fascinating.
I feel like I've grown into McMurdo, like I've been living this life for years. Eating every meal in the same cafeteria, knowing what to wear for -20 temps as opposed to how to dress for -5. Working 54 hours each week, no trees or children or pets. Dusty roads and big trucks and drunken firefighters wandering the halls. It's all so familiar to me, maybe too familar.
I like to wonder what it will be like to stand on the sidewalk in Christchurch, to see and hear and feel the traffic, the trees, the humid weather, brick buildings and grass. I'm excited.
The day shift has been going fine. I clean the same dormitory each morning and in the afternoon I clean one of the work centers I cleaned on nights. I worked in the warehouse one day and helped move couches another. I appreciate being able to mix it up a little bit and get different assignments. Who knew one could get so excited about moving heavy furniture?
My clustermates have slowly been making their way back to Christchurch, some planning to return to the ice next year and others happy to be finished with Antarctica. Everyone has fantastic post-ice travel plans, many with plans to travel for months and months. I've enjoyed all their company.
I feel like I've grown into McMurdo, like I've been living this life for years. Eating every meal in the same cafeteria, knowing what to wear for -20 temps as opposed to how to dress for -5. Working 54 hours each week, no trees or children or pets. Dusty roads and big trucks and drunken firefighters wandering the halls. It's all so familiar to me, maybe too familar.
I like to wonder what it will be like to stand on the sidewalk in Christchurch, to see and hear and feel the traffic, the trees, the humid weather, brick buildings and grass. I'm excited.
The day shift has been going fine. I clean the same dormitory each morning and in the afternoon I clean one of the work centers I cleaned on nights. I worked in the warehouse one day and helped move couches another. I appreciate being able to mix it up a little bit and get different assignments. Who knew one could get so excited about moving heavy furniture?
My clustermates have slowly been making their way back to Christchurch, some planning to return to the ice next year and others happy to be finished with Antarctica. Everyone has fantastic post-ice travel plans, many with plans to travel for months and months. I've enjoyed all their company.
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