Free Time

There are a variety of things to do here at McMurdo after hours.  We all work long hours, typically 54 hours/week.  Most are standard shifts though some work nights (called mid-rats) or other shift work.  In Medical, we're open 7:30a-5:30p Mon-Sat with Sundays off.  Even though it hasn't been busy, it's still a long work week.

McMurdo from above, taken from the NASA Dome

Besides the cafeteria and dorms, there are several rec buildings on station.  There are 3 gyms: the gerbil gym (treadmills, stair climbers, stationary bikes, etc), the weight room that includes a larger room for classes like yoga and the "big gym" (basketball, volleyball, rock climbing).  None of these gyms are wonderfully equipped but they have enough, especially for our smaller population over winter.  I go to the weight gym more than anywhere.  Before the very delayed flight in April, one of the girls waiting to leave offered to teach me how to hula hoop.  So I've been enjoying hula several times a week along with doing an on-line exercise class.  A friend keeps me accountable and though we try and invite others, it's typically just the two of us enjoying the gym when we go.

Visiting the Weight Room after a snowy couple of days

Learning to hula

There's a library in one of the dorms where you can check out a variety of books.  There's also a McMurdo radio station and you can volunteer to host for an hour or two.  There's a record room where you can listen to records, a band room to play instruments. We have gear issue where you can check out various musical instruments or sporting equipment, even costumes.  One of the dorms converted a room into a "happy light" room where you can soak in some light.  I really should take advantage of some of these rooms more.

The Happy Light room.  Since I was there last these tree tapestries appeared

There are also 2 "clubs", Gallagher's Pub and Southern.  Gallagher's is only open in the evenings and hosts things like trivia, karaoke and other gatherings.  They don't serve alcohol but do have non-alcoholic drinks and snacks for sale.  Southern has several game tables like pool and foosball.  It's open 24-7 as long as the community cleans up after themselves.  There's also a fancy coffee bar there, the coffee is free though tipping is encouraged for the workers.

Tie Dying in Gallagher's Pub, a fun morale boosting event

I got talked into hosting trivia recently.  I enjoy participating in trivia so agreed.  Myself and a friend came up with a theme (all things food) and we came up with 7 rounds, 2 were picture rounds and 1 was audio.  It really came together and everyone that participated seemed to enjoy themselves.  We have 136 people on station right now, maybe 1/5 came by including a few from the nearby Kiwi Base.  

My winning trivia team, the theme that night was HEAT

There are also several social clubs, some more serious than others.  Some are virtual, like the cat club just sends pictures of cute cats to the members.  Others are more active like the Taylor Swift Club who get together to listen and watch all things Taylor.  I've become the POC for the Stitch and Bitch which meets once a week.  It's often just a handful of us but we sit around in one of the dorm lounges and work on knitting or crocheting projects and have some good chats.  I've joined an Improv class which goes for 8 weeks and teaches the basics of Improv.  There's a knot tying club, pool club, music clubs and if someone has an interest they can post it up on the board and form a club.

Some of the hats I've made while being here

There's also a craft room where I volunteer, it has sewing machines as well as supplies for anything you might imagine.  I've learned how to screen print, people come in to do woodburning or metal printing.  I'm not familiar with all the options but it's nice to have a place to go when you want to create. 

Screen printed Antarctica with letters written using fabric markers, one of many creative options in the craft room

A pillow I made using grey fleece for the penguins and leftover fabric swatches for the background

There are always movies playing.  If you choose not to be social you can watch one of 3 movie stations that play continuously on the TV in your room.  Otherwise each dorm has a couple lounges where people are often watching movies or playing video games.  There are larger movie screenings, recently NASA sponsored the showing of "The Thing" which is an 80's movie about an alien infestation here in Antarctica.  If you want to watch movies, it's always an option.

One of our movie lounges in the back of the galley called "The Bog"

New Zealand's nearby Scott Base sometimes host events.  They hosted a Crazy Hat Party that had to be reschedule a couple times due to flight operations but finally happened and was a good time.  They also host "America Night" every Thursday, darts on Fridays and other fun events some weekends.  One thing Scott Base has that we don't is a serving bar.  Though I'm not much of a drinker, others really enjoy the atmosphere of a bar so America Night seems to be a hit for those that want to unwind in a different venue.  

@ Scott Base before the sun left us...

Unfortunately outdoor activities are limited in winter.  There are several hikes though most are closed for the season.  Those we have access to are well marked and you have to submit an "e-plan" before you go and check in and out so the station can keep track of you.  It's dark all of the time now so if you leave the well lit town, you need a flashlight/headlamp.  I look forward to the light returning in a couple months and hopefully doing some of the bigger hikes then.  In the meantime, I mostly stick to town or sometimes drive over to the Kiwi Base if they have something going on.

One of the hikes along the volcanic rocks and ash

So though the station may not be super fancy, we have plenty options for those that are interested.  Some say McMurdo isn't a great place for introverts.  I disagree as I'm an introvert and appreciate having the option of joining a group for an hour or two if/when I want to.  Everything is right there, I can choose how to fill my social calendar and it's a nice way to get to know people better.  And when I don't feel like it, my room is right down the road.

Impromptu cosmic bowling one night