24 December 2011 Christmas Eve at the South Pole

Journal

Celebrating at the Station

Since our flights have been delayed, we get to celebrate Christmas at the South Pole! The galley is decorated, the staff is wearing Santa hats, and holiday music pours out of speakers.

Kitchen staff — The kitchen staff dons Santa hats bringing holiday spirit to Polies.

Christmas Spirit — At brunch, the holiday spirit has already begun with diners sporting holiday gear.

Decorated galley — The galley is decorated with Christmas lights, wreaths and Christmas trees as runners enjoy a post-race brunch.

Race Around the World

Today there was a 2.3 mile race around the South Pole. This is an annual event called "The Race Around the World." Polies (a nickname for people here at the Pole) dressed up in silly costumes and snowmobiles and vans pulled floats around the loop.

Runners at the start of the race — Runners get ready to start the race around the pole.

Preparing our Float

The AGO groom team, along with Susan and I created a float depicting an AGO last night in preparation for the race around the world. The groom team (Shawntel, Scott and James) had just returned from AGO 3, where they had been stuck, and were eager to celebrate their AGO. Shawntel, Scott and Susan were the masterminds behind the project. When I asked them if they had a photograph of the AGO, they said they didn't need one. They had been living at one for many days! The team painted the large box orange to represent the AGO. Four posts were placed on the outside of the box to represent the posts that raise the AGOs up if snow drifts get too high. Solar panels, a door and some windows were also added. What do you think? Did the team do a good job at recreating an AGO?

The AGO float — From left to right, Shawntel, Susan and Scott, in front of the AGO float.

A real AGO — Here is an example of a real AGO.

Race time!

I woke up this morning and heard the wind blowing against the walls of the Jamesway. As I walked to the station, I started wondering if I should ride on the float instead of complete the 2.3 mile race with the others; the winds were blowing hard and snow drifts made it difficult to walk. As 10 a.m. approached, runners, skiers and people on floats convened at the South Pole for the race around the world. People were in some pretty funny costumes!

Kris Amundson, a network engineer at the station, dresses in a banana suit for the race around the Pole.

At 10 a.m. we all started running but soon after we started, I struggled to catch my breath. It is hard to run at such a high altitude! I saw Gee, an engineer whom I knew from McMurdo, just ahead of me, and we walked quickly around the rest of the loop. Although it was difficult, it was a great way to start Christmas Eve day!

Walkers and skiers — Runners, walkers and skiers head along the path during the race enduring high winds and low visibility.

Finishing the race — Michelle and Gee smile after successfully finishing the race around the Pole.

Christmas Dinner

Although Christmas is tomorrow for us, we will have an impressive Christmas dinner today. There are three different times that dinner will be served to make sure everyone here can fit! The AGO team will eat at the last dinner. I'll be sure to let you know what we eat!