“Daddy, why did you go to Antarctica?’ Asked Ana in a severe tone of voice.

    “I went to Antarctica because I wanted to see penguins,” I replied, thinking that would be a good enough answer for a four year old.

    “But you could have seen them here in the zoo,” said Ana.

    “You’re right,” I said, as I searched for a better answer. “I could’ve seen the penguins here at the zoo, but I wanted to see them in the wild. I wanted to see how they live when they’re not at the zoo.”

    I was enjoying one of the most magical moments of the day, helping Ana get ready for bed. We’d finished reading her book and were laying down in the dark, chatting for a few minutes. I had just returned from my first PolarTREC expedition, after sailing around Antarctica for over days. The conversation was not going very well that night, though. I could tell Ana had not enjoyed my three months absence from home.

    Ana remained silent. I could hear her breathing in the dark, knowing she was about to challenge my answer.

    “Just promise me that you will not go back to Antarctica unless you take me with you.”

    “Sure honey. Next time I go to Antarctica you’re coming with me.” I was sure I had used my only opportunity to go to Antarctica that didn’t see any harm in promising to take Ana with her on my next Antarctic adventure. Simply put, there was not going to be another Antarctic adventure. She rolled around and gave me a warm hug.

    The moral of the story: don’t promise anything you are not willing to fulfill, even when you are sure there will be no need for you to fulfill the promise.

    Ana during the summer of 2011
    Ana in summer 2011

    Four and a half years later, I am excited for a new opportunity to travel to Antarctica, and wish I hadn’t promised Ana to take her with me.

    I am heading back to McMurdo Station!

    This time I will be joining Dr. Jim Madsen from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and two of his graduate students, to service neutron sensors that have been collecting data at McMurdo since the 1950’s.

    I hope you decide to come along, reading this expedition journal. We will learn together about cosmic rays and solar activity, life at McMurdo Station and multiple challenges that I am sure we will face. You will be able to see videos and pictures of the whole expedition. And don’t forget to ask questions to the whole team. We’ll be happy to answer all your queries. And don't worry, we won’t make random promises.

    Promesas rotas y nuevas oportunidades

    “Papi, ¿porqué te fuiste a la Antártida?” preguntó Ana en un tono serio.

    “Me fui a la Antártida porque quería ver pingüinos,” le contesté, pensando que esa era una respuesta adecuada para una niña de cuatro años.

    “Podías haberlo visto acá en el zoológico,” dijo Ana muy seria.

    “Tienes razón,” le dije, mientras buscaba una mejor respuesta. “Podía haberlos ido a ver al zoológico, pero yo quería verlos en la naturaleza. Quería verlos allá donde están cuando no están en el zoológico.”

    Estaba disfrutando uno de los momentos más mágicos de cualquier día, preparando a Ana para que se fuera a dormir. Acabábamos de leer su libro y estábamos recostados en la oscuridad, platicando por algunos minutos. Tenía poco de haber regresado de mi primera expedición PolarTREC, tras haber navegado por más de sesenta días alrededor de la Antártida. La conversación no marchaba bien esa noche de abril. Ten ala sensación de que Ana no había disfrutado de mi ausencia de tres meses.

    Ana seguía en silencio. Apenas escuchaba su respiración en la oscuridad. Sabía que estaba a punto de refutar mi respuesta.

    “Sólo prométeme que la próxima vez que vayas a la Antártida me llevarás contigo.”

    “Por supuesto, cariño. Tu vienes conmigo la próxima vez que vaya a la Antártida.” Estaba seguro que había usado la única oportunidad que tendría en toda la vida para ir a la Antártida, por lo que no veía problema en prometerle a Ana que la llevaría la siguiente vez. Sencillamente, no habría alguna otra aventura Antártica. Ana se volteó y me dio un gran abrazo.

    La moral de la historia: No prometas nada que no puedas cumplir, por más imposible que te parezca el tener que llegar a cumplirlo.

    Cuatro años más tarde y estoy que me muero de la emoción porque se me presenta una nueva oportunidad de viajar a la Antártida. Quisiera no haberle prometido a Ana llevarla conmigo.

    ¡Regreso a la estación de investigación McMurdo!

    Esta vez voy junto con el Dr. Jim Madsen de la Universidad de Wisconsin en River Falls y dos de sus estudiantes de posgrado, para dar mantenimiento a unos sensores de neutrones que han estado colectando datos desde los años cincuenta.

    Espero que decidas unirte a nuestra expedición leyendo esta bitácora. Aprenderemos juntos sobre rayos cósmicos y la actividad solar, sobre la vida en McMurdo y los múltiples retos que nos esperan. Podrás ver vídeos y fotografías de toda la expedición. Y no olvides mandarnos tus preguntas. Las contestaremos con muchísimo gusto. Y no te preocupes, no haremos promesas que no podamos cumplir.

    Author
    Date
    Location
    My house
    Weather Summary
    Clear skies
    Temperature
    62

    Comments

    Sarah Crowley

    Any chance that Ana wants to write some journal entries about what its like having you go back to Antarctica? Or what she has learned about your connection to this place? That might be awesome! Thanks for a great journal Juan!

    Susan Steiner

    Your opening line hooked me right off of my subscription to all PTREC joiurnals, I am so excited for you, and feeling a bit of empathy for Ana! Looking forward to your fascinating writing and photography.!

    Juan Botella

    status: 1Hi Sarah,

    Thank you for the suggestion; it would wonderful to have Ana’s perspective. I spoke with Ana today. She seemed interested on writing her experience while I join Antarctic expeditions. Diego, who is two years younger, also seemed interested on pitching in. He seemed excited to know his writing could be read all over the world.

    > On

    Juan Botella

    status: 1Hi Susan,

    glad to know you’ll be following the expedition. I am also very excited for this new opportunity. Thanks for writing.

    > On