Category: Antarctica

For seven years, from the mid 1980’s until the early 90’s, I worked at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. This is the Antarctica I saw working in a kitchen feeding 1200 people in summer, and 200 in winter. Antarctica records the tics and quirks of a world of compulsion – military personnel were sent without choice – and abdication. For many civilians it was an exile of ready money and fled responsibilities. It’s not completely truthful. Some of what occurred is so bizarre as to be not credible and has been omitted. This is one person’s story. It’s not a film. It’s a series of still photographs. The first three posts are scene setting. Because we were all very young – names have been changed – youth provides both an excuse and explanation for what later may cause cringe. Anyone who was there will recognise these obvious contrivances.

Posted in Antarctica

Expired

Posted on by tq1695

Inevitably there were more applications than vacancies.
Winter over in Antarctica
a rare experience
destination dropping travel boast
auroras, 24-hour darkness, extreme weather
and serious money.

The money
out loud most found it necessary to pretend
unwilling to appear vulgar
pausing, as if not previously contemplated
manufacturing hesitant, just thought of possibility.
the wages welcome of course
but only part of the motivation.
A big porky
everybody knew it
everybody repeated it.

Six is not divisible by 30.
Despair
disappointment
disillusionment
all widespread.
Nigel was a great choice
said those not disaffected by rejection
a practical joker who would keep spirits high.

Rationing is not always bad
a friend who paid for university
working in an upmarket department store
could never listen to Christmas carols
saying what was once uplifting
saturated to irritating . . . . then murderous.

The chilled voice
brutal ally to heat of eyes
said by the end
he’d had enough of Nigel and his silly pranks
said he understood how people expelled reason
and why they came to kill.

For the back story click Backstage

Posted in Antarctica

In Person

Posted on by tq1695

We were told in the first week
but already knew
six would be chosen for winter
everybody free to apply.
Flexibility, affability, productivity, the attributes sought.
Shift change
room change
public holiday work day
“would you?”
“Yes,” with a smile.

We are informed individually
the floor is intensely interesting
the words are recorded
the reasons listened to later.

Neither of us is very good at this
mercifully brief . Disappointment is impatient.
Yes, everything is all right.
Yes there is another opportunity. Next year.

12 months
the time required for the earth to orbit the Sun
and return to the same point.
Opportunity and desire provide sharp contrast.

Rejection, the dark far of farthest
fragility seeks absolution
a colleague obliges
“mate, you’re not what they are looking for.”

For the back story click Backstage

Posted in Antarctica

Secure

Posted on by tq1695

Summer at McMurdo Station
too big
too regulated
too meaningless.

All those people
all those rules
all that time to fill.

Not just in time
but just in case
linesmen, communication technicians, electricians
generator mechanics
very little to do each day
not essential – just in case.

The kitchen was essential
the work, hot and often dirty
but time sprinted
sometimes warping beyond control
at Thanksgiving and Christmas
at Mexican and pizza nights
like pushing back surf.

Goodwill briittled by diner discontent
cooks’ temper
and worker disillusion
made the performance of our boss remarkable.
I commented once
on absence
on vacuum
on never heard spite.
“Oh no,” he cheerfully substituted explanation for magic
“there are many people with bad things to say about me
they’re just not here any more.”

For the back story click Backstage