pre-deployment nervousness

[u/sky_girl919]

I am leaving in a few days for my very first season on ice in McMurdo and while I am mostly very excited, I’m also starting to get a bit nervous. I have never even left the US before and I don’t know anyone who has deployed, so I’m going into this experience pretty blind. What would be some good advice for someone going into their first season who’s a bit nervous?

[u/Hill_Observer]

Edit: I realize your question is more broad than I thought. The below paragraphs are mostly about the people of McMurdo. So far as the travel itself goes, it’s pretty chill. I had really long layovers and only one checked bag, so there wasn’t much hassle. They also set up all of the travel to and from the airport, so don’t worry about that. Don’t pack much stuff; you can buy/find most things you need at McMurdo. Do pack a costume though. It doesn’t need to be any good, just silly looking. Also a large sheet and something to hang it with is nice if you want to divide your dorm. And bring a hard drive full of pirated movies and tv. Whatever your comfort shows are.

When I went to McMurdo, I was freshly 18 years old, and I had never left the US. I didn’t know anyone who had been to Antarctica. But right when I got to McMurdo, I immediately made a ton of friends! I met who had spent years traveling all around the world, world class scientists in niche fields, other people who hadn’t ever left the country... and all treated me as an equal! I thought I’d be the baby of the group, but it turns out that the average USAP participant is just insanely friendly and supportive. 

As for actual advice, there’s a few things. Firstly, download WhatsApp if you haven’t already. That’s how most people communicate. Secondly, buy a bus pass. They’re really cheap and New Zealand has a great public transit system. Ride the bus to the beach if you have time, it’s not too far away. Also, talk to people in New Zealand! Odds are you’ll get delayed, and when you do, there will probably be people planning a trip to see the sights. Once you get to McMurdo, keep trying to make friends! I cannot stress that enough. It’s very easy, too, especially when you first get down there. Ask people if they’d like to climb Ob Hill, go to Discovery Hut, see what’s in Skua, etc. etc.. People are usually down to do at least one of those things. Also, there are gonna be a lot of random clubs for random things, and you should check them out whenever you get the chance, even if you have no experience in them.

Bonus food advice: the barbecue place in Riverside market is mediocre, but literally all of the Asian food is sublime. Also if you like cheese, it’s incredible in New Zealand. The milk is really gross, imo. And buy approximately one billion bars of chocolate. If you don’t eat them, people will pay top dollar.

Tldr; be nice and have fun. Feel free to ask questions, clearly I don’t mind blathering on about my experiences.

[u/cbirdbrain5 → u/Hill_Observer]

All of this is great advice!

One question: where did you find the good cheese!!!! I’ve been living in NZ for almost a year and the cheese has been abysmal to me 😂

One other update, busses are now tap to pay, you can tap your phone on the reader and you don’t even have to tag off.

[u/Hill_Observer → u/cbirdbrain5]

Yeah I think they were upgrading the buses when I was leaving last year. Very convenient!

Maybe it’s just that American cheese is terrible, but I thought all of the cheese I had in NZ was so good. Especially the brie. In America there’s petty much just one brand of brie (Presidente) which is ok, but in NZ there’s like multiple brands at every gas station! I got the cheapest ones I could find and I loved them. Also I like how it comes in smaller wheels. I hate to buy a giant thing of brie and have it gradually go bad as I work through it.

[u/cbirdbrain5 → u/Hill_Observer]

Ah okay I’m with you buddy haha yes American cheese is horrible. I have family in France and had access to some really great cheese living on the west coast of the US so my standards were way up when I arrived here 😂.

I thought it was hilarious one of their most common cheeses is just called “tasty”