The Journey North

Even though we are retracing the same path that we sailed over a month ago, I wanted to write briefly about it because no two journeys are alike.  Right from the start, it has been completely different in both the scenery and people's priorities and mindsets.  We had quite the send-off.  Even though it had been snowing for hours, everyone gathered in their warm gear to wave goodbye to us.  A group of ten or so were even carrying towels under their arms.  Why, you ask?  It's a good-luck tradition to take the plunge off the pier bumper as the Gould departs.  So sure enough, as we pulled away, surrounded by snow and ice, we saw our friends jumping and diving into the frigid water.  As Palmer was being swallowed by the dense clouds, we watched the penguin island go by and each took in the station for the last time.  Still in good spirits, we headed inside and out of the snow for what famously became the day of naps.  The Neumayer chanel was hidden from view by the clouds, so I felt no guilt in sleeping until dinner.  Thus began the routine of resting, sleeping, eating, and taking in the sights. 
             My favorite spot on the ship by far is the bridge.  You get to look at the charts and name the islands or sit at a back table and read while looking out the windows.  This is where I have spent most of my time, strategically avoiding the myriad movies that have been playing in the lounge, none better than Beverly Hills Cop.  From the bridge, Alice and I absorbed the last icebergs and Antarctic ice-covered mountains on the map and I am still holding the beauty of that afternoon in my mind.  For some reason, our shipmates did not seem as sentimental or eager to absorb the view.  In truth, a strange divide has become apparent between those who stayed at the station versus those who spent the whole month on the ship.  Naturally, the two groups would have drastically different experiences, but some people seem more eager to exchange photographs and stories than others.  Some folks are also very eager to get off the ship, for one reason or another.  One that immediately comes to mind is the rolling.
         I woke up from one of my naps, climbed to the main deck, and suddenly felt awful.  Why are we rolling so much?  Aren't we still along the peninsula?  Right then, I knew that we were in for a much rougher ride compared to our previous journey.  The constant and relentless swaying of the ship has been entertaining and fun (once you get used to it), but it definitely makes everything you do more tiring. I thought stairs and sleeping were a challenge before! Well, let's just say that I learned the value of bracing yourself and of using the adhesive placemats in the galley - without them your neighbor would suddenly lay claim to your dinner!  Despite my improved balance, I still avoided the shower.
            Sitting up in the bridge seeing the horizon sway back and forth in all directions is so interesting because you forget how huge the ship is when it is tossed about like a toy in a bathtub.  The ocean is just that big and that powerful.  Another interesting artifact of sleeping downstairs in the berthing vans is you are privvy to the powerful booms that reverberate through the walls when the waves hit the ship at the right angle - they send a shockwave of rattling vibrations through our quarters... very tough to sleep through, but made me chuckle all the same.  It's hard to get annoyed or frustrated at anything in an experience like this. 
        As I said before, some people are anxious to get off, but I am really enjoying these days on the boat.  Before, it was forced relaxation.  Now, it is the only buffer I have between me and going back to school!  I have mainly spent my mornings up on the bridge enjoying the view and catching up on schoolwork.  It has been a lovely transition, despite having moments when you feel so heavy that all you can do is sleep!  The view has been mostly ocean, but what an ocean it is.  Through the Drake Passage, the water is this unbelievable color of blue because nothing grows in it - no plants or even animals to absorb and scatter the light.  Birds will also occassionally encircle the boat for a few hours.  The beautiful cloud patterns complete the picture.
        Other than that, we have a fire drill this afternoon and dock around 2am Sunday morning.  Customs will meet us and then we are free to frolic about Punta Arenas for the day - I've heard rumor of a chocolate shop that we missed the first time around!  We're also staying in a beautiful old hotel with a glass greenhouse that sits directly on the town square.  Yep, traveling in style. An update: we saw these dolphins once we entered the strait of Magellan - so fun!  They were playing in our wake.