From Middle Earth to the End

Yippy!!!! I managed to successfully finish the first week of class! While I had a headache after the first day from paying attention for so long I slowly got used to class by the time Friday came around.  We spent the first half day getting to know one another, then right in to lectures. I have some lovely classmates who come from all different backgrounds and all over over the world. That is one thing that makes this course so unique. We have a Botanist from New Zealand, at International relations expert from Australia, a Biologist from Germany and a Antarctic Environmental officer from Russia, and that’s just to name a few!

During the first week we covered such topics as the Antarctic Treaty System and Tourism. We also had a bit of fun and visited the Antarctic Center where we played with Blue Penguins and took Hagglund rides.  We finished up the week by going to the Canterbury Museum and having a behind the scenes tour. I particularly loved seeing Aspley Cherry-Garrard’s face mask from The Worst Journey in the World.

Friday night we had welcoming drinks and dinner at The Warner Hotel in Christchurch. This is the famous site where Scott has his last meal before heading off in Discovery.  It was really nice for the historical aspect and also to see our peers out side of the classroom.

I hope everyone is having  fun and working hard, I sure am! We are headed off to Cass field station this week…more adventure stories to follow.