Another Sunny Day in Christchurch

It seems like every other person you encounter in the hotels and on the street in Christchurch is heading to or from "the ice" (that's how the all cool kids refer to Antarctica...) It's actually a pretty fascinating logistical system down here. Everyone is spread out in bed and breakfast's and hotels throughout the city (your tax dollars are hard at work subsidizing the New Zealand tourist industry). Each hotel has a list of the people heading to the ice, and they're in constant contact with the USAP office about flight schedules and delays. They post notices or slip faxes under your door or come knock in the middle of the night. It's sort of comforting to have all these people looking out for us when we're so far away from home.

Christchurch has been a bit jarring at times. We went from the shortest days of the year in Chicago to the longest ones down here. It's not getting dark until around 9:45 or so, and the weather is absolutely perfect. Maybe it's a nice middle ground before we head out to eternal sunshine at the Pole.

Our co-worker Andres just came back from Antarctica at 4 AM last night. There was a medevac from McMurdo to Christchurch for some unknown reason, and he was able to hop on. It was good to see him and get a debriefing about what's been going on down there. He looks a bit like an ewok after not shaving or getting a haircut for a few months. And because all the hotels are filled up, he got an amazing sweet in this really nice hotel right on the central square. Must be nice. He headed straight out to get a haircut. You can see the results for yourself:




































On a side note, I went out today and purchased some "supplies" for this hilarious staged photo I'm planning to take at the ceremonial Pole. Stay tuned for that one. It's sort of a tradition. Andres showed us his photo where he's wearing a nice gray business suit. Quite a juxtaposition.

Word is that we're supposed to be flying to McMurdo tomorrow morning, but we won't know for sure until later tonight. I think I'll go for a run in the meantime. Probably the last time I'll be able to do that, since running at the 12,000 foot altitude of the Pole is apparently not advisable.

I'll post some more thoughts later tonight if we do indeed head out tomorrow morning...