Hello folks,
I'm in Punta Arenas at the south end of Chile on my way to Palmer Station - a new one for me, I haven't worked there before. If you're confused look at the "Routes to Antarctica" map here:
http://polar.org/docs/RPSCBrochure.pdf
So you're used to me talking about going through New Zealand to McMurdo or South Pole, but I'm not going there this time. Palmer is supposed to be good: it's a small station, on the coast with scenery and wildlife. I've got pretty much the same job, which fortunately I like a bunch. I've met most of the people I'll be working with, either in our emergency training in Colorado (Fire School and Ocean Search and Rescue) or just here. It's a good group so far.
Punta Arenas is a remarkably cheerful town for being on the bleak cold tip of the continent. I'm happy to be back here after so many years, happy to be heading further south this time, happy that my Spanish is holding up to challenges such as ordering lunch. Next I find out if my internals are up to the challenge of the Drake Passage. It's a five-day crossing, in good weather. Oh yeah - no airplanes on this side, just boats. Different!
I hope you're all well. Apologies to the folks I didn't catch up with before I left - got a bit hectic. Sorry sorry. Hey it's lunchtime.
Later,
-Sarah