Arriving

Well I have finally made it to Antarctica. We left in the early afternoon, which involved getting dressed in all the ECW (extreme cold weather gear), weighing ourselves, our bags, and then watching a safety video and hearing a presentation. Then we got on a C-17 plane (think army plane lol) which was really for cargo and they had just put seats in the front. We also got to visit the cockpit which was really cool. I got my first glimpse of sea ice when I was in line for the bathroom and peered out the one tiny window. I saw these lines which I thought were shadows but actually they were cracks in the sea ice which is starting to break up. It was really incredible to see.
Landing was really cool as well. We landed on an ice runway, and then went to "Ivan the terra-bus" which drove us to town. They had to leave the engines running for us to get off, so the fuel wouldn't freeze or something. We drove to town and then got our room assignments. For all of my knox friends, I feel like I am living in Seymour- I live in the main building, and am above the galley, which is awesome because its where I work. The next morning, we went on a tour of town (in the dark, because it is still primarily dark here, although its "dawn" for a couple of hours a day). And, in an ultimate plug for "ugg" boots, I wore them on the town tour, a 30 minute walk outside, and my feet stayed warm. They are so much better then our "bunny boots" which I swear weigh 10 pounds each.
After the tour, I started work. I will talk more about that later cause its not as interesting. That night I went to an outdoor safety lecture and learned about hiking in the area. There are lots of different trails to go on, and I am really looking forward to it. You can hike some of them alone, which I think could be fun as well. Then, I went to one of the station bars with some friends, and had some yummy NZ beer. However, I went home at 9pm, because I had to be at work the next day around 5:30am!!!
I love it here. Its the best thing ever.

Christchurch, NZ

I am now in Christchurch, NZ. We continued training on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Then, we flew to LA that afternoon. Next was our flight to Auckland, NZ that night. It was actually a really cool flight. The seats were super comfortable, and the food was decent. They also gave snacks, eye masks, headsets for the on-demand individual tv programs, blankets, pillows, and toothbrushes with toothpaste. I actually realized that I enjoyed the 13 hour flight more than I do the 8 and 9 hour flights to Europe. With the longer flight, you have more time to sleep in between dinner and breakfast. On those shorter ones, it feels like you just finished eating when they wake you up for the end of the flight. At least with the long one, there is some chance for sleep. And I slept a long time. I woke up in the middle though and looked out the window to see tons of stars. It was a really cool feeling, and reminded me how much I am looking forward to this whole experience.

Our arrival in Auckland, and journey through customs was very easy. However, NZ is intense about anyone bringing in anything that can grow from outside the country though. Everyone got sniffed by a dog while waiting for luggage. We were issued 12 month visas, and then got to exchange money for free, both thanks to the USAP program J (typically when you exchange money you are charged a commission). Then we went through declarations, which is where if you told the customs people on a form that you have anything that they might not like (like food, or in NZ’s case, hiking gear) you have to show it to an official to see if its ok. They are really worried about people bringing in dirt on hiking gear. I only had boots, which I had washed the night before so they didn’t take them from me. Then we went to walk to the domestic terminal, checked in, and ate lunch- everything I have eaten here has been amazing so far.

Next was a quick flight to Christchurch, and shuttles to the hotel. After getting settled in, we all went out for drinks and dinner, and I had some amazing sushi. Christchurch is a really cool city. By 9pm I was so, so, so tired (thank you jetlag) so I just came home. I received a note under my door saying our time at the Clothing Distribution Center (where we get our extreme cold weather gear) had been changed from 1pm to 8am. Things change last minute a lot around here, plus the flight that was supposed to go to the ice yesterday didn’t make it out there so things are a little jumbled. The upside of that, we might get to stay in Christchurch for longer!!!

So, we took shuttles to the CDC and arrived at 8. There, we had light vehicle training, got our computers screened (I had failed the first time L), watched an orientation video, and tried on all of our ECW. ECW stands for extreme cold weather gear. They gave us bags of it that had been put together based on the sizes we had given them and what our jobs entail we had to try everything on, get stuff exchanged if it was broken or didn’t fit, and request extras if we wanted any. Now we get to repack stuff for the ice flight. Flying down to the ice, we have to wear certain pieces of our ECW. We also have to pack a “boomerang bag”. If our flight has to turn around (or “boomerang”) due to weather in McMurdo, then we have another night in Christchurch. We would only get back our small boomerang bags- so they have to be filled with the stuff we need for another night in Christchurch.

This trip has been so exciting so far, and it keeps getting cooler and cooler. Everyone here is so nice and helpful, and since I am a newbie, or “FNG” (try to figure out what that one means J) I am always asking questions because I am always confused, so their helpfulness is greatly appreciated. I am so looking forward to getting to the ice- I have missed it so much this whole year since I went to visit in December.

My First Day

It has been such an intense 2 days. I still can't really realize that I am part of the real world. I just feel like this is some weird college field trip. I can't imagine how I am going to feel in a week when I am on the ice.

Yesterday I hung out with Jen and we went hiking, window shopping, got yummy sushi and went to one of her favorite bars. Today training started at 7am, and I learned about food safety all morning. Some of it was actually really interesting- food production is much more intense when you are trying to keep the food from getting contaminated then I ever understood, and I used to work in a restaurant. There are specific temperatures and timings for cooking and cooling food. Its kinda cool- but the downside is I will now always be a little bit concerned when I go out to eat, or especially at a buffet.

I had lunch with the other dining attendants who are on the same flights. The afternoon we did a icebreaker game, and went through our expectations for the next few days, and talked about what our jobs entailed and what was inspected of us. We got more information about life in general down there, so that was helpful.

Tonight I had dinner with some of the food service people, and then just hung out for awhile. But I decided to take an early night because I am so tired! Need to rest up for training tomorrow when I will meet even more new people :)

One week until I go!!!

My address at McMurdo:

Sarah Carlin, NANA

McMurdo Station

PSC 469 Box 700

APO AP 96599

Less than 2 weeks!

It is remarkable how much stuff you have to take care of before you can responsibly fall off the face of the earth for 7 months. Antarctica, being the most remote place imaginable, only heightens this. In the past few weeks since I have gotten home, my to-do list has only grown and grown. Cancelling my cell phone, cancelling my car insurance, paying off all credit cards because I can't exactly get bills, packing- including everything I need but still leaving 20 pounds for the gear they give me when I get there, buying shoes sunglasses and my own winter gear, filling out reimbursements, etc. etc.
But, even though its all this busy work, its getting more and more exciting by the day! And so close! I've had an old friend from high school visiting for a few days, which has given me my own vacation from all of this, but after she leaves it will be pushing towards the finish line for sure.
Antarctica here I come! (Well, Denver first)

Sunglasses and Shoes!

My very awesome sunglasses arrived the other day. They have very strong protection, and have little pieces that cover the sides of my eyes so no light can seep in. Apparently, you can go "snowblind" in Antarctica, which just sounds painful and I don't want to happen to me. I also have ordered shoes for wearing in the kitchen during my workshifts, which should arrive soon.

I got this whole list of things to bring with me to McMurdo, including a halloween costume. So I am thinking that I will bring my old school uniform- always a good costume.

I will hopefully leave between the 6th and the 11th of August. This is all coming up so soon, in just a few weeks! I hope I am ready. I have been going to the gym every day, trying to get in better shape because I will be on my feet 10 hours a day working.

I can't believe its almost here.

Preparing to Leave

So after spending weeks and weeks of medical appointments, needle jabs, the works, I am officially physically qualified to go to Antarctica. My special sunglasses have arrived, I have ordered safety shoes, and am (while still unpacking from college) starting to set things aside to pack for the upcoming adventure.

At the moment its not feeling all too real yet, but it is coming up so quickly and will be here before I know it!!!