Made it!

Hi all,
leaving was very interesting, I'll give my two cents shortly. But in the above photo, I am having a Double White Chocolate Latte @ Coffee Culture. (they are just around the corner from Hotel So, right before you pass Subway.) I must say the coffee was excellent, great for the start of a beautiful day in Christchurch. The weather is perfect, not too hot with a balmy breeze; wonderful.

So, just for kicks I'll give ya the skinny on my departure. The most important mistake I made was not getting some sandwiches and/or food from the galley. At 140 they gave us these box lunches, which were awful; and most of you know I'll eat almost anything. But those box lunches tasted like crap and gave me heartburn. Do yourself a favor and pack some sandwiches and goodies, you'll be glad you did.

We took IVAN to Pegasus, but then had to hang around and wait for about 2 hours. The plane had to land, they had to unload it, then reload it; then finally they let us on. Extra food would have been nice. Dress warm. After we got in the air, most everyone took off their ECW gear and put on their street clothes; so Keri was right on when advising to pack shoes and a pair of clothes in your carry on.

The flight takes some time, but then when we landed in Christchurch it was dark. That was totally weird, I just stared for a few moments at the darkness. Getting back into NZ takes a bit of time, don't lie on your form. They were busting people left and right, mostly little stuff; but they were earning their keep last night. I saw one guy get his boots taken away. They were all over peoples shoes, so take a few moments and use a brush on them.

From there I walked over to the CBC where I was expecting some kind of check in, but no; they just told us to throw all our gear in a pile in the middle of the floor. Then they give you your shuttle passes and a patch. I was entirely grateful to get a patch, it looks like the ones on the jackets. I had heard mixed stories of the patches; that they had quite giving them out and so on. But everyone got one...too bad Lan wasn't there to sew that one on for me too; lol.

Off to the Hotel So, where it was going on. There were a handful of McMurdo people partying in the bar; it was nice to see familiar faces. Leaving is unique, I have worked at remote camps in Alaska before and missed people when it was over; but mostly just wanted to buy them a beer or do coffee. The feeling from McMurdo and my fellow Jano's is more family oriented. I feel like I just left a family reunion. God bless you all!

It was so strange to sleep in a room by myself. I sleep soundly and awoke about 05:00. A nice hot shower woke me up and then I went over to Christchurch Square. Unfortunately, none of the coffee shops were open; but the weather was perfect. I sat in the Square, the wind caressing me like a thousand little angels giving me a massage. Loud obnoxious Seagulls flew around, making a caw that sounded like Jeff blowing his nose. It was different to see birds all around, white tops, Windows gray bottoms, with orange feet and beaks...the same color orange as Whitney's sweat shirt.

Flowers are blooming everywhere, soft and pretty; their fragrance wafting in the breeze. Then I smelled coffee and good coffee at that. (Only a few of you knew that I was a coffee aficionado and had my own private stash from a buddy who makes his own beans; I really enjoy good coffee.) And I found it at the Coffee Culture, mmmm goood! I then went to Micky Dee's and got two Massive McMuffins for a great breakfast.

Back in my room I came up with a great idea for a prank. There are plenty of hip kool people staying at Hotel So, and I wanted to make an impression too. So I took about 7 or 8 condoms, unwrapped them. Then I took the milk cartons in the fridge (hey, did you know that refrigerator does not have a 'd' in it, interesting.) anyway, I took the milk cartons, poured them in the sink, dipped all the condoms in them, then scattered them across the room. Making it appear that I was outrageously wild and had partied all night. Yep, bet I'm popular now.

Oh don't forget, the Money Changers may not be open when you arrive, you might need to wait till the next day to get Kiwi funds. In case you've forgotten, from the Hotel So there is a grocery store about a block away, go right out the door, take another right at the corner, and you'll see it eventually. Take a book to read on the flight from McMurdo to here. Make sure you dispose of any non-sealed foods before leaving the plane. Clean those shoes, they'll be inspected.

In case you didn't know why I was able to leave, here is why. I have arthritis, which I already knew; but it makes little cracks in your joints and my joints are filling up with gout. So it's kinda of a double whammy. Sometimes it doesn't hurt at all, other times it is awful. But that's the scoop in case you wanted to know. The rumors that I was pregnant are false, though I will admit I gained 45 pounds at McMurdo.

Last but not least, sincerely if you pass through Anchorage; let me know. And one more thing, I didn't really do the condom prank, just thought it would be a good one. Probably against some seminary rules, so I didn't do it. lol

Love ya guys,
Carlton