or call it 90 degrees south, the bottom of the globe or the South Pole. Life is definitely different here. So different in fact, that I thought I'd write a blog to give everyone an idea of the atmosphere and how I've finally settled into my new home.
Current Weather:
-36.6 F Temperature
-55.0 F Windchill
5.0 kts Wind
10,436' Barometric Pressure
To start, I work at the coolest place on Earth even if I do have to put in 54 hours over 6 days a week. When your team is already putting a plan for wireless connectivity together for a building that is 5 miles away and currently connected with a fiber line that is getting stretched and will eventually break because you're living and building on a moving glacier, you know it's a job with different dynamics.
I have hardly no idea what's going on in the "real" world. We have limited satellite time to check the internet for news and we have no tv. I'm usually working, talking to Donald or family, emailing friends, blogging or sleeping when the satellite is up so checking the news is not priority. A lot of people would rather not know what's going on anyway. I would say that I fall into that category most of the time, except when I have to stupidly ask my friends or family what day is Thanksgiving back in the States (we're celebrating on Saturday) or if the current topic at pub trivia is Current Events.
As most of you know, I get two showers a week at two minutes a piece. I thought this might be kind of hard for me but two showers a week is pretty easy. It only takes me about 10 to 15 minutes to get ready in the morning so now I know what it feels like to be a guy. The only bad thing is the bathrooms are cold and feel even more so when you keep turning the water off to soap up. I also feel liberated by the fact that I haven't shaved in weeks.
It's very, very, very dry here. Lotion and chapstick are my new best friends and never ever leave my side. People that work outside often get cracked skin, usually on their fingertips, no matter what they do. Static electricity runs amock here too. Often I will see the hair that has fallen into my chair sticking straight out, and I try to hang wet towels in my room daily to add some moisture to the air.
Going outside is a consious decision. I've found out that if I go a great distance (for instance, the RF building which is 1 km away), it's best to suit up. If it's only for a short time, I can go in jeans and hiking boots, with my parka, gloves, beanie and neck gaiter. I have managed to run from one building to another without any gear whatsoever to use the bathroom before, but regardless the cold air is always a shock to the lungs and I always cough a few times before they adjust. I made the mistake once and only once of closing a metal door when I went outside with my bare hands. It was so cold that it burned like I had touched a hot stove. I always carry hand and foot warmers in the pockets of my parka in case I need them. My gloves, even with liners, suck so this is quite a possibility. A very common affliction down here is frost nip or frost bite, especially for those working outside. Some of my friends already have it. Once I start doing active things outside, like cross-country skiing, I'll have to be careful as well.
We call scientists beakers and I'm a FNG (pronounced fengie and stands for f-ing new guy).
I walk up and down the steps in the silver side of the building (called the beer can) as much as I can since my colleague, Jeri, and I are in a stiff competition to see who can do it the most over the season.
I play Volleyball on Tuesdays, go to Yoga on Wednesdays and Pilates on Thursdays. Saturdays vary from bingo to film festivals to concerts to dancing. Sundays, my days off, are spent sleeping in, hanging out and playing games or watching movies, going to the science lecture and then to pub trivia. Team SPIT (South Pole IT) has won two weeks in a row!
The food here is better than McMurdo, though not always great. We finally got fresh food in on Monday, and after going a few weeks on frozen food only, a nice ripe tomato was pure bliss in my mouth.
I'm super lucky to be living in the station versus the Jamesways. I don't have to walk outside to go to the bathroom or keep a pee can in my room for times I might not feel like it. I can wear pj's and socks up the stairs and down the hall to the galley for tea or snacks. Also, my floors are insulated so if I wanted to, I could leave a water bottle on the ground all night without it freezing, unlike the Jamesways.
Everyone here has an interesting background and interesting stories, and I already feel like I've made some connections with people that could turn into life-long friendships.
I do get homesick from time to time. I miss my friends and family, nighttime, rain, trees, skiing, broccoli dish, sushi, good wine, Thai food, singing at the top of my lungs in the car, and baths. However, this is the greatest adventure of my life so far, and I'm so thankful that I'm here.
South Pole - Not all who wander are lost. J. R. R. Tolkien
Click here for some photos
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