Back Again!

Taylor's Mistake, NZ

sundae with frendz

Oct. 20

And we're...offfff...I think.  You really never know for sure.  Five days ago, with perfect weather on both ends, we giddily (and rather sleepily) bundled ourselves onto the C-17 and flew to Antarctica.  It's a loud, tedious plane ride featuring a mediocre sack lunch, but everyone's excited to get to the Ice.  Just 80 miles shy of McMurdo, already into our descent, a crew member came over the PA to tell us that the anti-icing fluid they deployed had caused the windshield to crack(!).  Not in a dire fashion -- blizzard winds were not screaming into the cockpit -- but to a degree that required us to turn around and fly the five hours back to New Zealand.  I'm now part of the boomerang club.

Aside from the long plane ride, I've been grateful to have a few extra days to bum around Christchurch, hike the cliff shores around Sumner, and enjoy perfect eggs benedict and Thai food and negronis.  Time spent in the real world with Ice people is invaluable: quotidien experiences like getting coffee and waiting at the bus stop build surprisingly strong ties.  The quality of time and conversation depth during the past few days will morph in the coming months.

Here I am again, leaning back in my jump-seat, cozy in my Carhartts and enormous insulated boots.  Now, after a sunny day to cure the epoxy on the new window, we're sitting on the runway, carry-on bags full of apples and avocados and booze, minds and hearts again fixed on that far, cold destination.

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Oct. 22

We made it on that second attempt, and I'm happy to report that it is quite cold and appropriately Antarctica-y here.  This year's Shuttles crew seems like a good bunch, and I lucked out and got a great random roommate.  No one could ever fill your shoes, Will -- with midnight coffee, manic crafting, banana stashing, and indescribable character -- but my new roomie is nice and smart and doesn't snore.