Glossary
big red -standard issue big red parka that everyone wears
boomerang - when your flight leaves and doesn’t make it to either the ice or NZ and has to turn around and go back
boondoggle - field trip off base
building 155 - the main building in town where the galley, most of the offices, and some dorms are
building 207 - dorm where i’m staying this winter
building 208 - dorms
building 209 - dorms for people with more ice time. has a bayside view
burger bar - happens a few times a week at Gallaghers. you can get a burger and large fries for like $4
CDC - clothing distribution center in Christchurch, NZ
chalet - building on station where the bigwigs sit during the summer. closed for the winter
Christchurch/chc - christchurch, nz - south island. where we leave from to get to the ice, and where we get our ECW issued. chc is pronounced “cheech”
DA - dining attendant. my job, woohoo!
derelict junction - the bus stop where you wait for the shuttle to scott base
ECW - extreme cold weather gear, issued from the CDC in chc
freshies -fresh fruits and veggies
GA - general assistant, my other job
Gallaghers - the non-smoking bar in town
galley - dining area
highway 1 - the main hallway in building 155
hotel california - summer dorm
McMurdo - the american base that i’m on (aka MacTown)
NPQ - not physically qualified
NZ - New Zealand
OSL - outdoor safety lecture
Pegasus - airfield that we landed on
PQ’d - physically qualified
Scott Base - the new zealand base just down the road
serv-safe - food handling training
skua - a scavenger bird and also our free “thrift store” thing down here
Southern (Exposure) - the smoking bar in town
the crud - the common cold
the ice - Antarctica
tippy cup - flip cup but more fun to say
WOST - winter over survival training