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DEL.ICIO.USUGA study abroad: Daily task difficult on boat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UGA student Eleanor Hand, 20, is one of a handful of college students and professors currently traveling on the University of Georgia’s first ever study abroad trip to Antarctica. The group spent a few days in Argentina before boarding a boat to the quietest, coldest continent in the world. The students are now steaming ahead on the Polar Star, a Finnish ship that will take them to through to Antarctic. Hand be filing updates on the group’s travels over the next several days.
My body was desperate for a solid eight hours of sleep last night, but the sun shining in my window at 4:45 a.m. superceeded that wish. Plus in my sleep I didn’t feel the rock of the ship. To roll out of bed, I waited until the boat rocked in the correct direction. I thought going to the bathroom was difficult until I took a shower. One hand is used to hold onto one of the three rails while locking your feet against the sides of the ceramic floor. My one free hand washed my body and hair, and directed the stream of water wanted to spray the whole bathroom when the boat swayed.
Walking is a competitive sport on Antarctic-bound ships. Whoever can make the trek across a room without stumbling might as well be UGA gymnast Courtney Coupets on the balance beam. The boat sways bow-to-stern and port-to-starboard sides all at once. With our arms swinging through the air for balance and our legs bent distinctly at the knees, I think we look like drunks trying to dance. UGA student Tom Hamlin, a fellow traveling companion, said he thinks we look like toddlers learning to walk and clinging to anything nearby for stability.
The captain’s log recorded three-meter, 9-foot, swells, but I’m not sure how much I believe that statistic. The swells sure look and feel bigger than that. We’re currently traveling on the Drake Lake, the staff’s name for calm days in the Drake Passage. A small part of me wants larger swells because who wants to say they traveled through the roughest waters in the world on a calm day? I’m sure once we receive rougher weather, I’ll be taking back these words.
Sitting around in the observation lounge all day listening to lectures doesn’t burn many calories, so I decided to visit the gym this afternoon. Oh, what a mistake! My run on the treadmill was great until a huge swell passed underneath and I went shooting off the treadmill’s side. Well, I thought riding the bike must be easier. Not so. The stationary bike felt like I was riding hills, and that’s not because of the workout setting. When the boat rolled to starboard, I flew downhill as if on an I-75 entry ramp. Likewise, when the boat rolled to port, I peddled faster to scale the Cumberland Parkway hill. Apparently the gym is solely a selling point. After that adventure, I may just add a few pounds and work out once on solid ground.
The ship’s food has been surprisingly good. Some of the dishes are even too gourmet for picky eaters. I know my brother wouldn’t touch the asparagus soup or stuffed mushrooms we had as appetizers tonight. The only drawbacks are the lack of seasoning and small portions. UGA student Beau Gilmore must have the metabolism of a racehorse because he is constantly eating.
“If I’m going to the coldest place on Earth, then I expect to have more food in order to build up my fat reserves,” said Gilmore.
I know the chef makes dishes bland to appeal to the majority of passengers, but a little garlic powder and black pepper wouldn’t hurt. Meal times are scheduled for 8 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. However our expedition leader, Damon, said times are highly variable depending on shore landings. Thankfully for snackers, the bar counter always has free cookies, crackers, fruit, juices, coffee and tea available.
Midafternoon we watched a film, “The Frozen Seas,” that discussed the diversity of life in the polar areas, the Artic and Antarctic. I was proud to know much of the information presented. Allyson Read, a graduate assistant at UGA within the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, said she thoroughly enjoyed the video.
“I usually just watch documentaries like that at home and think how exciting it would be to visit the place. This time I’ll actually be seeing the animals and the environment up close. I can’t believe we’ll be there in just another day,” said Read. During tonight’s darkness our ship will be crossing the Antarctic convergence, which is one step closer to the continent.
The observation lounge filled quickly following dinner, as everyone wanted good seats for the night’s karaoke. The 20-person German tour group, another group aboard the Polar Star, came decked out in dresses and suits. Unfortunately none of us, excluding Julie Bruce who looked stunning in a green dress, brought formal outfits.
The two hours leading up to the singing of “Old Lang Syne,” were filled with both talented and terrible voices.
Our entire group gathered on stage to sing “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. At midnight, everyone hugged and wished each other all the best in the coming year. Our Polish captain, Jacek Majer, even made an appearance to kiss all the women on the cheek.
Few people in the world can say they have visited Antarctica, much less have spent New Year’s Eve traveling the Drake Passage. No fireworks or peach drop to watch this year. Passengers, myself included, making fools of themselves singing was a memorable evening though. Happy New Year!
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Antarctica
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By Miriam Powell
January 2, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
How exciting it is to read of the Antarctica tour’s voyage on Drake Passage as the New Year dawned. This UGA group is experiencing remarkable things on this voyage. Keep the reports coming on the blog!
By Phillip Boyd
January 2, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
As a UGA Alum in Colorado, it’s nice to see programs that offer great opportunities like this. Your blog is excellent, keep it up, and when you get back to campus recruit like hell to get more people interested in the various study abroad opportunities available. Most students don’t realize the opportunity that awaits them. You can do our University a great service by spreading the word, as you are now doing. Great job!