The week’s news
[Written by Elizabeth Leonardis for our old blog, So Civilized]
Unfortunately, we have been unable to sample since Monday morning. All week the wind has been consistently 20-30 knots (25-35mph) gusting up to 50 knots at times. Not exactly safe boating conditions. Also, the other day the wind brought in bunch of brash ice.
Zodiacs surrounded by brash ice
We did have 2 tour ships stop in on us this week and all 100+ guest on each boat came onshore to the station. The first boat to visit was the Kapitan Khlebneikov, a Russian icebreaker, that was on a month long cruise starting in S. America and ending in New Zealand traveling all over Antarctica. The tourists get a tour of station and of course make a stop at the gift shop, after which they head into our galley for coffee, brownies, and schmoozing. Our job during these visits (if we aren’t out doing fieldwork) is to schmooze with the tourists answering science questions.
Kapitan Khlebnikov
The other cruise ship to visit this week was the National Geographic Endeavor, which was also the cruise ship that was taking our friend Scott Sternbach back to South America. The tourists spent the afternoon on station and then in the evening a group of us went out to their ship and did a Q & A session with the guests. Everyone was very interested in what we are all doing here and Alex as usual gave some excellent responses to guests questions. We were given a tour of the ship and spent the evening socializing with crew and guests. It was a nice change of pace for all of us.
The Endeavor anchored in Arthur Harbor for the night
Everyone on station was sad to say good-bye to Scott. He was such a wonderful guy to have around and left us all with so many beautiful photos from his time in Antarctica. I have many of his photos that I’ll share with you in some of the next blogs postings. The portraits that he took of us and were displayed in the photo exhibition are now lining the halls of the BioLab Building where Alex & I live. It is a nice reminder of Scott.
Scott Sternbach
OK, guys, safe to come back now. Maybe you heard — or maybe not — that Barack Obama was elected. Plus, Elizabeth, “Twilight” opened on Friday, so that should get you going if nothing else.
Then again, the Hudson Highlands were a wee bit chilly today (I did wear shorts, though, I just made sure to don a pair of frilly blue undergarments). And the news of the economy is a real bummer at work. Plus, we’re only getting like three hours of daylight — thank goodness this city keeps it burning 24-7.
Missing you, and I swear your ghost is popping up all over CP, Alex. Of course, it always turns out to be some sad sap who is much slower and less dashing than you.
Debra says hi. Bring her back a penguin.