Greetings from the Southeast Pacific. We have been at sea for almost 48 hours. I have been sick for about 98% of them. It will probably take me a while to complete this post because I can only look at a computer screen for about 10 minutes before needing to go outside and stare at the horizon (the only thing that is stationary).
I was lucky to make friends with a lot of the grad students on the boat, and they have generously offered me drugs. The boat moves a lot more than I thought it would. I am guessing my body undergoes a total displacement of 10 feet every 2-3 seconds. It is exhausting. Luckily I think that I am nearing the end of my sickness and am finally getting used to the sea life.
I am working on ironing out my routine and what needs to be done on boat. I am finding it really really hard to focus, so it takes me 3x as long to do anything as it normally would. The soundings are definitely the highlight of my day. We have a competetion to see who can get the highest sonde. I am leading with just over 25km. Sergio thinks he can beat me. The winner gets a bottle of scotch.
FYI, the Chilean observer was able to make it on the boat. So we will be able to use all of the data we obtained early in the cruise. I feel bad for her, she is only 1 of 4 people on board who speak spanish.
There have been some concern about our return to Chile. While in port in Arica, the Ron Brown was not able to re-fuel because there was not high enough octane in port. So now we have to return to Iquique before going to Arica to get fuel. This means 1 of 2 things. We can cut the trip short, and go to Iquique before Arica and get us back to Arica on schedule. Or we can just show up late in Arica. There are alot of pissed off people because depending on what is decided, we might have to change our flights and many of the scientist will have to change their plans to ship home their instruments.
Life on ship (between illness bouts) has been ok. I enjoy the company of a lot of the people. This might change after 20+ more days, but I hope it doesn't. The food isn't that bad.. not great.. but not horrible. All meals are really early, with dinner being over by 5:30, leaving all of us who work late with PB&J sandwiches. It is easy to get away, by going out on the deck.
The most exciting thing that has happend so far has been the low passes by the aircraft near the ship. Everyone goes out on deck and takes photos and waves. It is good clean fun. Well except for the filthy exhaust from the C-130 which screws up the aerosol measurements. I have a video, but it would take me forever to upload it.
That is it for now. I will try to update with photos in the coming days!
Jake
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2 comments:
The trick to getting high soundings is to use as little helium and you can get away with. Also, there's a 1200 gram ozone sonde balloon on the boat if you really want to cheat.
Poor puddin pop--can't say I didn't see it coming though :-)
Glad you are feeling better!
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