15 November, 2003

Toto, We're Not In Florida Any More!

After four flights and thirty-two hours of flying and waiting in airports, I've finally arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand. It's been a LONG day, but I am very fortunate that all my flights were for the most part on time. I was even surprised that I was able to get a few solid hours of sleep on the international flight.

As we flew through the night we crossed both the international dateline and the equator. In just a few brief moments, we lost and entire day and entered a part of the world that experiences different constellations, opposite seasons, and where going south is associated with cold. And although I know these are imaginary lines, I couldn't help but think that that while I slept I missed my opportunity to actually see those lines that are so clearly marked on all of our maps and globes.

After checking in to our rooms at the Windsor, Laurie and I decided to walk around Christchurch. Stretching our legs would do us good and it would help us resist the temptation to take a nap. After all for the next few months we will be living on New Zealand time. The cool fresh air, scent of the flowers in bloom, and the beautiful stone buildings were. Just what we needed.

Tomorrow we make our trip to the CDC to pick up or Extreme cold weather gear and check in our bags for Monday's flight to the ice. It's almost here and I can't wait!

Here's a view from the plane as we approached New Zealand. Can you tell what airline on which I flew?

The Windsor Hotel, 52 Armagh Street. My home away from home for the next few nights.

New Zealand money. How is it similar and different from our money?

Standing by a stature of Robert Falcon Scott in Christchurch. Who was Robert Scott?

A close up of the engraving carved on the base of the statue. What happened to Scott's party? What does this statement tell you about his personality/nature?