| Brett Buckingham '06
A Subtle Crackling Melody of Small Ice Bubbles
January 16, 2005 | 11:15
Paradise Bay
Dear Journal,
This morning Gustavo led us on a zodiac tour of Paradise Bay. Along the way I grabbed a chunk of ice, and after licking off the outer layer of salt, I enjoyed a pristine refreshing treat. We saw a Weddell seal on a growler (an iceberg about the size of a car), that was a bit camera shy. The zodiac driver circled the growler twice to try to get a good shot, but the seal kept turning away from us. He’s probably not a people person, that’s why he’s in Antarctica. After leaving the seal alone, we weaved through the ice chunks into a small cove. This is where Gustavo shut the engine off and advised us to all keep silent and just listen. The next five minutes became the highlight of my day. We had all been awestruck by what we had seen, but this morning it was the sound of Antarctica that was so spectacular. A subtle crackling melody of small ice bubbles being released from the endless floating ice chunks, accompanied by the deep, baritone groaning of the healthy, convex glaciers that draped over and engrossed the towering mountains created a harmony as pure as the new fallen snow that surrounded us. It was quite an experience.
Brett Buckingham '06
Mom, it’s me…I’m calling from Antarctica!
January 13, 2005 | 12:30
Paulet Island, Antarctica
Dear Journal,
Sitting down directing traffic in the middle of a penguin highway, I was in awe of what exactly my eyes were seeing. It was the awe I knew I’d experience during winter term Antarctica 2005. I wish I could call home and share the moment, if only I had a phone. Chris, our team photographer, came up big with exactly what I needed – a satellite phone.
“Hello?”
“Mom, it’s me…I’m calling from Antarctica!” I could hardly believe it myself.
“Brett! What’s it like at the bottom of the world?! Seen any penguins yet?”
“Actually there’s one five feet from me right now. He says hello from Paulet Island, home of the largest Adelie penguin colony in the Antarctic – over 100,000 pairs of them waddling around. He also says I should get off the phone and come hang out…love you bye!”
As I hung up the phone, a chill went up my spine (literally) when I realized what I had just done and where I had done it. It was physically impossible for me to wipe the grin off my face.
See Brett making this phone call
Brett Buckingham '06
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