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.

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.

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.

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.

February 10

I start working again tomorrow morning. I've enjoyed the time off, spent much time reading, writing, and taking care of the to do list during my free time. At the beginning of the season, I promised myself I would write everyone that wrote me, so I spent a good bit of Saturday writing short letters. Thanks for all the mail everyone. I think it was good for the body and soul to spend some quality time sitting around.

Went for a hike with a guy who brews his own beer on campus. I suppose it's not everyday one gets to drink a beer made with Antarctic waters. I think it's kind of cool. Saw a whale.

The weather is looking more wintery everyday and I've been told it's only going to get worse.

February 9th

I've finished nights. I have the next three days off to get my body used to being awake during the daytime.

Last night was the final janitor party. The bought $90 worth of booze with all the change we found laying on the floor while we were cleaning during the season. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

The weather has made a dramatic turn for the worse. It seems at least as bad as when I arrived in October. Winter is on it's way.

Folks are finishing their season and heading home almost everyday now.

I'm not sure why, but I find myself fascinated with the supply vessel and how all of the logistics operate. This huge boat drops off all of next season's supplies and takes home all of this years waste.

February 4th

I can't believe it's February already. Times seems to be passing by so quickly. Time also seems to be moving so slow these past couple weeks as I think more and more about what I'm going to do after Antarctica.

The vessel, the symbolic and literal end of each summer season, is scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. Many have transitioned to nights for the around-the-clock offload of the vessel. The vessel essentially brings all of next years supplies and take all of this year's waste back to a landfill in California.

I am scheduled to transition back to days starting this Friday. Only 3 more working Antarctican nights.

Heard of a Russian sailor guy that was here today. He had his appendix removed aboard a ship in the area but then it became infected. So they helicoptered him into McMurdo, cleaned him up and sent him on the next plane to New Zealand.