This past week we saw half the McMurdo population fly away back to New Zealand. I only have one roommate now, there is never a problem finding a face in the dining hall anymore, the crowds have thinned out, no more lines for computers, showers, or at the store. It's a breath of fresh air! The picture to the left is of GA (General Assistant) Jen and I on her last day on The Ice. A few good friends leave on every flight. The two weeks of departures means a long string of goodbyes!
The weather has changed as well. In the last week we experienced a number of snow flurries, low visibility, and cooler temperatures with some biting windchills. It's nice to see the new snow on the ground. It "cleans up" the town and keeps the dust and ash down as well.
The sun has been dipping lower and lower across the horizon. In fact, the sun is sinking under the mountain tops now, but I'm not awake for that phenomena. February 20 is our first sunset. The sun is due to be down for about an hour (maybe two) before it bounces up above the horizon again. Perhaps I'll try to stay up for that event. It still won't be completely dark and starry at "night" here until well after we leave, but the dusk and dawn will be beautiful if our cloud-cover lifts.
Most people are looking forward to their redeployment date. As buildings are closing up for the winter, vehicles put away, and boxes of personal belongings are stored for next year, plenty of conversations revolve around the first dinner out in Christchurch, walking through the botanical gardens, dressing in different clothes, hiking, biking, having a room to oneself, plane tickets, and seeing family and friends.
This past week we saw half the McMurdo population fly away back to New Zealand. I only have one roommate now, there is never a problem finding a face in the dining hall anymore, the crowds have thinned out, no more lines for computers, showers, or at the store. It's a breath of fresh air! The picture to the left is of GA (General Assistant) Jen and I on her last day on The Ice. A few good friends leave on every flight. The two weeks of departures means a long string of goodbyes!
The weather has changed as well. In the last week we experienced a number of snow flurries, low visibility, and cooler temperatures with some biting windchills. It's nice to see the new snow on the ground. It "cleans up" the town and keeps the dust and ash down as well.
The sun has been dipping lower and lower across the horizon. In fact, the sun is sinking under the mountain tops now, but I'm not awake for that phenomena. February 20 is our first sunset. The sun is due to be down for about an hour (maybe two) before it bounces up above the horizon again. Perhaps I'll try to stay up for that event. It still won't be completely dark and starry at "night" here until well after we leave, but the dusk and dawn will be beautiful if our cloud-cover lifts.
Most people are looking forward to their redeployment date. As buildings are closing up for the winter, vehicles put away, and boxes of personal belongings are stored for next year, plenty of conversations revolve around the first dinner out in Christchurch, walking through the botanical gardens, dressing in different clothes, hiking, biking, having a room to oneself, plane tickets, and seeing family and friends.
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