Closing Time
It’s February 15. I’ve been at the South Pole for a bit over two weeks, and had ownership of the Medical Clinic for the last ten days. My predecessor flew out last week and, according to the Arbiter of All Things True and Meaningful…and by that, of course, I mean Facebook… he has gleefully resumed his retirement among the hoary heads of Margaritaville. But today my adventure really begins, because today is the day that nearly half our number go home and the last flight leaves for the summer. It’s Closing Day. I had mentioned in a previous post that the numbers of folks at both McMurdo and the Pole are seasonal. The height of summer at the Pole usually finds the place full to the gills with nearly 200 people, and more in temporary huts, tents, and other housing if there are special construction or scientific projects going on during the daylight months. By the time of my arrival at the end of January the number had fallen to 140, and it’s been ...