Antarctica

[barondave]

I'm going to Antarctica in a few weeks, on a Lindblad expedition to the White Continent. Enough people asked at the MN-STF meeting that I might as well provide a few details.

The vacation is part of a larger excursion: I'm leaving Mpls Tuesday Nov. 22nd (unless the airline changes flights again) to spend Thanksgiving with my brother in Washington DC. Friday the 26th, my mother and I are going to fly to Miami to meet up with the Lindblad tour. Itinerary as above. On the way back, we're staying in Miami with a friend for a few days. Thence back to Mpls.

This is my first time off N. America in more than 30 years. I'm looking forward to it.

Antarctica in Nov/Dec is summer, and the temp should be in the 40s during the day. Nonetheless, the tour provides you with a parka. It's not as good as my Mpls winter coat in many respects, but it's a fine layered coat and it's bright orange so we won't get mixed up with the penguins. There are no piers in Antarctica, so from the cruise ship we take Zodiac boats to the icy shore and leap in the shallow water. Not a big deal, but I need waterproof boots and pants.

I've always wanted to go to Antarctica. In college, I discovered that McMurdo Station has a zip code, an army FPO number out of San Fransisco, 96598, though apparently APO 96598 will work too.

I used to mail RAPS and Two Magicians and other zines to "A science fiction fan" in that zip code. Never heard anything back. For all I know they became instant penguin cage liners, or maybe never got there. Still, if I meet anyone from that era, I'll remind them that it's never too late to loc.

The South Pole station has its own cancellation mark as well. I don't know if we'll be going to any station with a post office, but if you want me to mail you something from the pole give me a snail mail address. No guarantees.

I've had my doctor's checkup -- to prove I'm healthy enough for the trip -- and took care of passport and other useful things. Still looking for a good set of binoculars (though I have some okay ones on tap, including a 10x50 from jiawen). Am bringing camera plus batteries. Mom is bringing her camera plus laptop so we can download and edit pictures on the fly, but I might invest in another xD chip. Have a lot of reading to do, apparently.

I went on two out-of-state trips this year. Perhaps next time around I'll visit Antarctica in July and Mississippi in December.

Comments

[von-krag.livejournal.com]

Dave there seems to be a problem in posting this. Huge Dancing Rodents™ are singing the WhooWho song. I'll try to post this to the proper autho . . .

[asimovberlioz.livejournal.com]

Wow! I've had a small preview of your trip, as the Lindblad DVD came up in a lasfs auction a couple of years ago and I bought it, basically to look at the penguins. I hope you and your mom have a great adventure!

You already have my snail-mail address, but if you've misplaced it, I'll be happy to send it again.

[ex-radparker580.livejournal.com]

Wow! Cool! Have fun.

[asimovberlioz.livejournal.com]

I imagine his trip will be quite cool indeed!

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

That is so cool--that you're going to Antarctica, and going with your Mom. You'll be the second person I know to have gone; I know a fan who worked in the kitchens down there one summer. The New Year's postcards she mailed didn't start arriving until the next August, though, so don't be surprised if stuff you mail takes longer to get back than you do.

Still, if I meet anyone from that era, I'll remind them that it's never too late to loc.
heh.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Actually, Antarctica in summer is warmer than Mpls in winter. At least, that's what I'm packing for. On the other hand, despite living in The City of Lakes I rarely need to jump into the Arctic Ocean.

I have your address from the April '04 MN-STF Directory. I'll try to send you something. Again, no guarantees, as I don't know my schedule or PO availablility.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Kitchens in Antarctica? I suppose you can't have illegal immegrants to a place that isn't a country, but how does one apply for a job like that?

You're correct about the mail. I was thinking about subscribing to a cell-phone service so I could call people, but that would require a satellite system and a long-term contract. Besides, some people want the cancellation mark. They can wait.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

Wow! Is that the one with penguins or the one with polar bears? Or are those both in the arctic? Does antarctica have anything besides ice?

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Penguins. See "March of the".

Antarctica is an actual continent, with land underneath it. The Arctic is just a bunch of ice. That makes a big difference in temperature and other factors. There are whaling facilities and even mines in Antarctic (though I don't think they're on our tour). The Antarctic is great for gathering meteorites, since the slowly swirling ice makes eddies where they can be found.

I'm hoping to see an aurora australius.

[asimovberlioz.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know that. I recall a news story in the then-separate Tribune about how Sen. Durenberger went to Antarctica one December, and it was warmer there than in Minneapolis.

I moved in September 2004, so I'll send you my current address.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

It sounds like quite the adventure! Have Fun!

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

re: jobs
They outsourced their staffing to some joint in Colorado. No doubt they posted the kitchen positions to appropriate Web sites. Requirements included a physical, but I don't remember much else.