Sunday, February 5, 2012

The Preparation: Day 1

This is my first post as I prepare to venture on the trip of a lifetime - to Antarctica! Only 2 more sleeps and I will be on a flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Two days there to enjoy the hot and sunny weather, and then it's back on a plane for Ushuaia at the tip of South America where we will board our ship which will take us two days through the Drake Passage and then on to the least explored continent on Earth: Antarctica!
As I sit here in my dining room, trying to navigate my way (pun intended) through the technological world of blogging, I am struck by the stark contrast I will soon be experiencing: exploring an area of the Earth which has changed very little since the first explorers reached it 100 years ago, while sharing this experience with friends, family, colleagues and students, using the most modern of technology.
So, the necessities have been purchased. Quark Expeditions, the company we are travelling with, has been excellent in helping us prepare for the journey. They have provided us with lists of things to make sure we are well prepared: the requisite long underwear, the multiple pairs of waterproof gloves, a variety of hats - everything necessary for the trip. Keep in mind, it is summer down there right now so the temperatures are not as frigid as one might think - ranging from -4 to +2 C is what I have heard. We will see....
So I return now to my current life of teaching and preparing lessons for the coming week. But in 2 days I will be lucky enough to embark on a journey I never thought I would have undertaken.
Until next time.....

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3 comments:

  1. BrittanyFebruary 7, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    I've heard that the winds in Antarctica are brutal so it might feel colder than -4 - +2 C there. Hopefully the jump between hot Argentina weather and Antarctica weather won't be too much of a shock. Seems like Quark Expeditions is doing a good job in preparing you, though, so I'm not too worried. Have fun on your trip! This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

    And bring us back a penguin! :D

    (this is Brittany from your grade 11 gifted English class, by the way)

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  2. Mr. Rooney's English BlogFebruary 10, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    Thanks Brittany. We have just arrived in Ushuaia, the southern tip of Argentina, and already the temp has dropped 20 degrees. I can only imagine what it may be like on the ship. We will keep you posted.

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  3. SimonFebruary 24, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    After reading about what you went through on your expedition, it's surprising how quickly you prepared for it! My favourite part of this post is your seemingly positive outlook on Drake Passage, before learning how brutal it was for the people passing. It looks like the Internet there held up long enough for you to blog about it, then get back!

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