Happy New Year à la bohême

Midnight at McMurdo on 1/1/2020

 Conditions:  Temperature 34°F, (23° with windchill); partly cloudy.  Population=826

Since our arrival on the ice, I've struggled to describe the people who come to McMurdo. I've made categories in my head:  the 20-35 year old here for adventure (and a few hook-ups) prior to entering that rat race; the career McMurdian who comes year after year and for whom McMurdo is their life; the scientists who linger on periphery of the community both literally and figuratively, occasionally removing their icy wet suits to jump into the warm pool of McMurdo life; the Air Force personnel for whom McMurdo is just a six week trip to the zoo; and the older McMurdian getting one last hurrah before retiring to grandchildren in Arizona (is that me?)

But the categories, in truth, don't hold up.  Whenever I try to nest an individual in a pigeonhole, I find that person is not a pigeon but a penguin.  Then, in an email to Lauren, it hit me.  The McMurdian is highly educated, un-materialistic, semi-artistic and free-spirited.  And frequently, though not necessarily, unwashed.  Think Mimi and Rodolfo without the tuberculosis.

 The last week of the year, and particularly New Year's Eve (here known as "Icestock") brings out the true McMurdian--tattoos, piercings, mohawks and onesies in all their magnificence.  Rather than blather on, below is a montage of photos showing la vie de la boheme McMurdo from Christmas through New Year's Day.



Comments

Gabriela Gayer said…
Loved the photos - what an interesting gallery of individuals. I feel quite inferior as I suspect I would have-not survived an entire week before being deported for not fitting in. Definitely admiring you even more than before the trip, which is A LOT!!!
January 4, 2020 at 11:19 PM
Aidan said…
So hilarious! What a gang of people. Is that Dean with the beard??!! Looking great!
January 5, 2020 at 3:49 PM
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