5 days, 12 hours

This week, we tried changing up our schedule. We worked for 5 days, 12 hours a day, giving us two days off. (Normally, we work 6 ten-hour days and get one day off). There have been lots of new DAs coming in, so it worked for this week, although it won’t last. McMurdo is getting bigger and bigger as mainbody continues on. Here is a picture of the helicopters that I thought looked cool.

Something particularly interesting is that the people who are headed to the South Pole are starting to arrive. They work with us while they wait to be able to fly from here to the pole. Flights try to go every day, but none have been successful yet.

In other exciting Antarctic news, people are starting to see seals on the ice near the base. I haven’t seen any there myself, but its cool knowing that they are around and I have a chance to see them soon. The sun is also up, for good this time. Our last “sunset” was at 12:55am on the 23^rd. It was relatively cloudy, but I still took some pictures.

Its weird to think these were taken at almost 1 in the morning.

Its interesting to think that we will have permanent sun from here on in…its very disconcerting to be honest. I work indoors, but whenever I see the windows it looks like 2 in the afternoon, no matter what time it is or how long I have been at work. Its especially confusing when I am walking home from a party or just hanging out with my friends…one gets tired like normal indoors and then as soon as you walk outside, your body wants to wake up again because its bright out. I can see how insomnia can become a serious problem.

I have been here for over two months, and things are still really fun and awesome. All the people I work with are great. Last night, several of them cut mohawks into their hair for fun.

Don't worry mom, I was the photographer but didn't participate.

Tonight, weather permitting, I am getting to go on an awesome, awesome rec trip. If it ends up going, I will write all about it soon and include lots of pics!