day 3 antarctica
 |
Location: McMurdo Station Report: 3 This report filed Jan. 13, 1999 I was probably like you once. I figured the punishing cold of Antarctica left the people who live and work here devoting a tenth of their energy to their jobs and the rest of it to huddling together and just trying to survive. I, of course, was wrong. The nightlife of McMurdo [Mactown to residents] is more active than any similar town I've seen of about 1,200 people. Especially on a warm "night" with cloudy sunshine like tonight. And compared to the South Pole, Mactown is like Las Vegas. There are three bars, which are the main social gathering places here, outside of the galley [where the food is free and delicious]. Tonight, Gallagher's was the place for bingo. Prizes included a pair of wool socks, which, you can imagine, have a little extra value in Antarctica. There is also a bar called Southern Exposure. It is where the smokers go. Most members of the Coast Guard come here to take a break from their icebreaker, the Polar Sea. The final bar is a wine bar that doubles as a coffeehouse. The next building over is a gym and bowling alley, complete with league nights and open bowling [I promise pictures in a future update]. There's a ballroom dancing class tomorrow night, and a Gong Show [un-]talent revue on Friday night. I think it's the 24-hour sunshine: These people have lots of energy. Copyright 1999, CBS Worldwide Inc., All RightReserved |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
