Hello All,
Quick update!
SPent three days in Christchurch getting outfitted for my cycle trip. Cycled from Christchurch to Waipara on Thursday and from Waipara to Kaikora on Friday. Today is Saturday and I'm worn out, not sure how far we'll make it today!
Goal is Picton to do the Queen Charlotte trek!

Last Antarctic Update!

21 hours since I scrubbed my last pot!
186 pounds
5 hours until I ditch this icy rock
25 best friends left behind
6 inches . . . the length of my smile

All bitterness and fatigue has evaporated. All that's left is a joy, excitement, and the heavy heart of leaving home.

Peace out, Antarctica

Party Hardy

My boss left today . . . I gave her a begrudging heartfelt hug. The weird thing down here is that all the boss's leave first, because they have seniority, and all the peons are left behind to gut it out.
But my boss leaving makes my departure feel all the more real and imminent, excitment is creeping in!

skyline

This is the skyline from McMurdo station.
The only good thing about being couped up in McMurdo all season is that you gain a real familiarity with your environment. Everyday, its a little different, depending upon the season, the angle of the sun, or the clouds and fog. Every single day this season day, the beauty has evovled in some way, become new without changing.

Dry Toast and Bagels

Dry Toast and Bagels,

an excellent description of my last week here.

My emotions are no longer mixed . . .

its time to get the hell out!

My email

ebrost@yahoo.com

Update

10 days left!
My emotions are mixed. The last month and a half have been focused on enduring until the end and getting the hell out. As the end approaches, however, I've come down with a tough case of nostalgia. Life is comfortable and simple in McMurdo, and in ten days, I will lose many friends, I will lose my community.
I cannot say, however, that I am bummed out. After all, I will be cycling New Zealand!!!!!!!!!!!!
My plan is to buy a bike in Christchurch, cycle to the North of the South Island, and take day hikes.