Antarctica

I landed in Christchurch, New Zealand after traveling for 36 hours.  Exhausted doesn't begin to describe how I felt.  I also lost a full day traveling across the International Date Line, always a trip.  It was still a few hours before I could check into my assigned hotel so I walked around the city for a bit, got some lunch, then napped for a couple of hours.  I didn't want to get too off schedule so forced myself to stay up until 9 or so before I hopped back in bed.  Sleep wasn't great but it felt AMAZING to lie down. The next morning was time to pick up my gear.  Myself along with 4 others were picked up by a shuttle to head to the USAP.  We first all got COVID tested.  Then got a pre-packed duffle bag of gear to try on and exchange until everything fit and all the zippers worked.  The parka is termed "Big Red", it's a solid piece.  I won't need to use it much as my job is mostly indoors but good to know I have it available.  I wa...

Anyone who knows me will not be at all surprised by today's announcement- I'm headed to Antarctica!  Yes, that's where the South Pole is along with penguins, seals and orcas.  No polar bears (that was the Alaskan Arctic) or other furry mammals. And how did this opportunity come about you ask?  I worked in New Zealand 2018/19 and heard that as a Kiwi doctor, I could work in Antarctica.  Unfortunately I was working there as a Locum on a work visa and needed to be a permanent resident to be considered.  Then when I was in Alaska 2019-2021, I met a doctor who had worked in Antarctica who wasn't a Kiwi at all.  He told me that the US sends docs down twice a year to cover the health needs of scientists/explorers at 3 stations (learn more here https://www.usap.gov/) and he told me how to apply.  I did so that night but never heard back. Fast forward to January 2024.  I was waiting on a locum assignment in Virginia to finish my credentialing so I could st...