Antarctica First...


As this year comes to a close I am taking a moment to pause and reflect on my southern hemisphere season so far.  Here is a short list of things I have gotten to do for the first time ever.  

  1. ManHaul- Race against the Kiwi station pulling a sled with a person sitting on it.  An Antarctica experience for sure.  USA women won the race!  
  1. Eclipse- about every 400 years Antartica is able to see a solar eclipse.  Got to watch it out on the sea ice with about 100 people from station.

  2. Tug-A-War- Another event against the Kiwis base.  Felt like I was in elementary school again at a Sports Day.
    USA won both men’s and Women’s event 
  1. Dance Group-as someone who has never been apart of a dance class it has been fun to be apart of the Hip Hop Dance group.  We have a performance hopefully last in January.  
  2. Christmas Choir- I love singing but singing with a bunch of amazing women is even better.  Add Christmas Carols-Gillian is in heaven. 
  3. Nutcracker-Station wide production.  A retelling of the Nutcracker with a McMurdo twist.  Performance later in January.    
  4. Helicopter Ride-I love adventures and seeing different parts of Antarctica is always a treat
  5. Field Camp- getting to spend 2 weeks away from town actually on the continent of Antartica really opened up my eyes to the other opportunities here. 
  6. Delta Driving-For my job I get to drive many different vehicles.  Adds a nice variety to  the work day.
  7. Fueling helicopter/planes-I am still surprised that I get to do these type of things for  work. 
  8. Snowmobiling for work-when you work in the middle of the airfield the only chariot you have to get to the restroom or the dinning hall is a snowmobile. 
  9. Night on the ice-getting to put our skills we learn about camping out on the ice to practice on evening was a real treat. 
Happy New Year, Gillian 




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