First Southern Snow Sighting

For the past three days, I have had to repack every night, preparing to change hotels the following day. This day was no different. As part of the Antarctic cruise, we were provided with lodging at a hotel the first night. This hotel (Hotel Albatros) was about 7 blocks from where I currently resided. So I saddled up, and with a bit of pride, decided I would walk with my extra-heavy luggage through town to the new hotel. Navigating 2 large packs plus a backpack down a 2 blocks of steep cobblestone hills, all the while avoiding traffic and pedestrians made for some interesting walking. Plus a couple sore shoulders. But at least I didn't have to tell a taxi to drive me 7 blocks. I had way too much pride to do that. Besides, there was a certain satisfaction knowing that I could haul all my crap for a good distance.

Upon checking into the Albatros, I met the guy who would be my roommate for the duration of the voyage. Ronaldo hails from San Paulo, Brazil. And although he doesn't think so, his English is quite good, and we had no problem at all communicating with one another. We got along so well in fact, that we decided to go check out the Glacier Martial together. While trekking up the mountain, Ronaldo and I got to know one another better. We talked about family, work, course vs. curse (and other colorful "mispronunciations"), and even a little about religion. He is a good guy, and I'm fortunate that we can be bunkmates over the next couple weeks.

The Glacier Martial is a glacier at the foot of the Andes. With one ski lift, it provides outdoor activities to the town year round. During the winter, it's the local bunny hill for skiers. (Remember, only one ski lift). Then in the summer, the ski lift carries passengers to mid-mountain where the rocks and snow meet. By no means is this a glacier of epic proportions. Rather, the Martial is waning, the remains of what used to be a much larger sheet of ice and snow. But when looking down the valley, one is rewarded with a beautiful view of where the Andes fall into the BeagleChannel. And for Ronaldo, it was extra special since he had never seen snow before visiting the glacier. It simply doesn't exist in the tropics of San Paulo, Brazil. It was fun (always is) to see the enchantment that falls on a person who sees the white stuff for the first time.

The last thing of note that happened today was we had our first orientation meeting. Logistics were given (in various languages) and people got a glimpse of who they would be spending the next 12 days with. Our trip is pretty diverse -- by my unofficial count, so far I have met people from US, Canada, Brazil, England, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Africa, France, Czech Republic, and Argentina. And those are only the people I've met so far.

Each of us has our own individual reason(s) for going to Antartica. The desire to see the bottom of the world. To set foot on the 7th visited continent. To experience a landscape and ecosystem largely untouched by humans. To steal a penguin. (Just kidding.) Whatever the resaons are, I think there is one common thread between us all. There is a bit of an explorer inside each of us pushing us to see this barren ice covered continent for ourselves.