Winter at McMurdo Station

Out of boredom during my lunch hours, I've decided to start a Travelogue. I'm not really travelling right now, I'm currently working at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. My husband and I managed finally (after years of trying) to get jobs down here this past summer starting October 2003. Then we were both able to get winter contracts through October 2004. It's mid-Winter now and the first flight won't arrive until Mid-August. It's month number 8 and although I am enjoying my time here and feeling very lucky to have been able to "winter", it's getting a little monotonous.

McMurdo Station during the winter

For the most part, it's pretty nice being down here--the summer was sunshine all the time, the winter is dark all the time. Lots of parties, great people and interesting events to partake in. Some of the fun things I've done or attended lately include my first Polar Plunge, Tiki Bar Jello Wrestling, Dorm Hallway Slip-n-Slide and my friend Joni's "girls night out" birthday party at Southern (the fun bar down here).

Station Picture

I'm definitely enjoying the winter more than the summer. There are only 200 people down here compared to over 1000. Everyone gets their own room in the nice, big dorms and you don't have to wait in line for anything. It also helps that I have a better job--working in Supply. For the summer, I worked as a Dining Attendant, which most people (including me) will agree is the worst job on the station. It was worth it to get here though and I was lucky enough to work with very cool people who made it more bearable.

It's Saturday and almost time for our one day off--woohoo!

**Disclaimer--alot of my entries are describing parties. We do actually work most of the time down here. 54 hours per week actually. The parties just tend to be more interesting to write about (and there are usually more cameras around for the pics).

The hat contest

Tiki Bar Slip-n-Slide night