We Are Thankful

Well, I survived the “camp crud,” and for the first time in three days, I feel alive and energized.  For that, I am thankful.  Today was Thanksgiving—at least here at McMurdo.  The normal work week here is Monday through Saturday, but a day off is given on Saturday for major holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  So, today, (Saturday here and Friday in the U.S.) was Thanksgiving.  The two major events of the day were, the Turkey Trot (5K run) at 10:00 AM, and a turkey dinner at 5:00 and again at 7:00 PM.

When people ask me what it is like to live here, I usually describe it as an outpost; almost like being on another planet.  Today, as the Turkey Trot runners were forming at the chapel, it made me think of the 4077^th M.A.S.H, for the zany way that people dress and express themselves.  I’m happy to say that I’ve never seen anything that I thought was out of line, but you know what they say about all work and no play.  So, things get creative at times.  It reminds me a lot of Bible Camp, too.  The turkey trot is usually run on the sea ice, but this year it was run over the peninsula toward Scott base and back.  There are four kinds of surface in Ross Island: snow, ice, vocanic gravel, and volcanic bolders.  Due to a relative lack of snow, the sea ice was deemed…well…too icy. 

The dinner was well worth the long cues (Am I starting to sound like a Kiwi?). Wine is allowed in the Galley for special occasions, and most took advantage of that.  Some even dressed in nice clothes—suits, ties, and dresses—a very rare sight in these parts.  Not only were there turkey and crab leg, and cranberry, but even better—lots of “freshies.” “Freshies,” is used to describe fresh fruits and vegetables and salad greens—things that are non-existent in winter and somewhat rare in the summer.  Bananas are usually doled out, one per customer.  When I say salad greens, that doesn’t mean you should expect to see real lettuce.  But this meal was worthy of the term, “feast,” and was well appreciated.  The kitchen staff got a standing ovation.  At the chapel, we’ll offer special thanks during the normal worship time tomorrow, at both Catholic and Protestant services.