20 November 2017

Life in McMurdo is different than most would be expecting in Antarctica. It is mining town meets small college campus, or at least it seems that way! Many of you have been wondering about what life is like here on station and what we do in our free time. This journal is dedicated to showing what our living conditions are like, the food we eat and what there is to do when we are not working!

Living accommodations are standard dorm rooms you might find at a UW school. I have not had a roommate, which is considerably rare, I have been told. I was scheduled to receive a roommate last Thursday. She has not yet arrived due to the storm last week and may not be here until tomorrow afternoon. It was nice having the extra space, but it does lead to a less social existence here.

I will be packing up my room on Thursday. Bag drop will be slated for sometime Thursday afternoon. I will have only my overnight bag and the USAP(abbreviation) United States Antarctic Program issued ECW(abbreviation) Extreme Cold Weather clothing bag and apparel for the flight home from that point on. This is a bit concerning as one group did not get out for seven days and were living out of only their overnight bag. Once your 'checked' luggage is palletized, it remains that way, regardless of duration, until you return to Christchurch. We have also been informed that there is a storm coming in on Wednesday evening. Hmm... as much as I love being here, I am ready to go home, so keeping my fingers crossed for clear skies!

The food here is pretty good. At least, I don't have to prepare it, clean up leftovers, or wash dishes, so in my mind, that makes any meal taste better. There is buffet for every meal. The kitchen is open 24-7. You can 'order' pizza for free and carry it out anytime. There is always popcorn available along with an assortment of beverages but no soda. If you want that, you have to buy it at the store.

At night, there are many activities from arts and crafts to yoga. One evening, I played corn hole, another watched karaoke at one of the 'bars', while other nights, I went to the gerbil gym or hiked with my team. Every Sunday and Wednesday evening there were science talks from the scientists here working. I went to every one that I could. There really isn't a shortage of things to do. I had a hard time getting to sleep at night. So often, I would work in my room until 1 or 2 am while watching movies on one of the four channels that has non-stop flicks, though no new releases! Many individuals frequent one of the three establishments on station, but it was really never my scene.

There are many 20-somethings on station. There is a unique culture here. Many people coming back year after year. They need people here to do dishes, cook meals, keep the serving lines running, drive shuttles, work in the power plant or water works. There are lab techs and firemen, hair stylists, janitorial staff, fleet operators, drillers, cargo and shipment personnel and just about anything you could imagine. I think it may be one of the most viable ways to get to Antarctica. Apply to work here as a janitor or dish washer. You get paid based upon the Colorado average wage for that line of work and you have no living expenses... 0. NO heat, water, food, electricity, or housing costs. You basically wear one set of clothes continuously and haircuts are $10. Many individuals are here for a season and so arrive around the beginning of Oct. and stay through until mid-Feb. Some will choose to winter over and stay on 14-month contracts. A few individuals I spoke with use the money they make here and travel the other 6-7 months they are not here. If you are unattached and have no children, this could be awesome! Former students, check into this.

Flat Lorax would like to come back as a penguin scientist. This Lorax is for Sydney, a Junior and former APES student at Nicolet!