Viewing page 25 of 108

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

woman present w. long black hair and much makeup. A biologist studying phytoplankton. After meeting broke up she led Toni & me & Marilyn to her quarters to clean up. We had all been offered shower (, but no towels) & we declined w thanks. She provided soap & towels, hand cream and face cream. I was astonished at the color of my face -- bright tan, my puffy eyelids, a big brown patch on my cheek. My hair OK, tho, after combing damp all culs came back. After cleanup. she offered perfume & we all gladly accepted, then walked in to dinner. Room full of Argentines & our colleagues & all eruped w clapping & cheers as we entered & filed to front table beside Bill & Chefe. Began w 2 pieces of cold meat & some vegetable. Next chilean barbecue & mashed potatoes, rolls, & finally canned fruit salad. Very good, & seemed so nice to be sitting at table w knife & fork. The beer cans spurted & mine sprayed Tony. I finally sat it on floor. Beer, wine & mineral water available.

After dinner, music: and, of course cheering for the dance. Finally an Argentine came & tapped Tony; then one for Marilyn, then for me. Room crackling w excitement. I, inept as ever. I think I have missed a lot of fun by not learning to dance -- I could do it & would love it, but I did a less than creditable job. Tony & Marilyn, on contrary, went great guns with, rythm and vigor - Marilyn did a solo at one point & Tony was the runaway belle. About 3:40 some of us went out to look around. Found a rec room next door w pool table & TV. A movie of Ireland going at top volume. The 

[[end page]]
[[start page]]

young woman took me back to the toilet, a crazy destructing type that combusts the mess after ten minutes. Then she found a big, deep chair for me at TV. Soon, an Argentine meteorologist was talking w. me -- in Spanish, English, & Portuguese -- Marilyn joined -- the woman joined, and finally, Jeff Post.

The stay at base a year, w. extra pay (4x?); then have 3 months vacation, which the meteorologist will spend visiting Cent. Amer., USA, Europe. He said there were meteorites on the [[submenta??]] on N.E. end of island; but the woman, who evidently knew better, explained to him they were not meteorites. I asked the woman if she liked being the only one there for 10 months. She said no...she would rather have others around. Rumor has it she is the chefe's mistress -- tho she wears a wedding ring. After much jollity, another meeting w. Chefe who will send each of us a certificate attesting to our presence at base.

Then we took our leave. With some mishap. I got dressed quickly & out door, but somebody took Luis' size 13 boots & left only a size 11 pair. After that sorted out, Bill & Jeff & I hiked home -- except for a detour Bill made to beach for his starfish.

Quiet evening w cups of soup in tent. Bill dropped by to tell me about arguments w Buzz on when Polar Duke will pick us up. Biologists want evening of 14th. Bill wants 10th but is packing for 12th. Bill is cheif scientist of whole cruise & is unhappy that decisions made without consulting him. Wants me to join radio group at 8 PM tomorrow. A memorable day - retiring at 10:45.

Transcription Notes:
mandc: "submesta" is a geologic formation.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Meseta_Formation)