MR. SZYMANSKI'S CLASSROOM
  • Home
  • 7th Grade Reading
  • 7TH GRADE GO MATH
  • Parents
  • Online Resources
  • Antarctica Travel Blog
  • Iceland Blog - In search of trolls, fairies and geysers!
  • Antarctica - National Geographic
  • Blood on the River
  • Chapter 1 The Number System
  • 8th Chapter 1: The Number System
  • Antarctica Travel Blog

Day 3 - Heading South

12/11/2014

21 Comments

 

Today, we had a very early wake up call.  5:30 a.m.  Mr. Sanders was not happy with that time.  I was pretty comfortable with it.  We get up so early for Disney.  We had breakfast and gathered like herds of cattle to go to the airport!  We were taking the first steps to the great, white continent.  

I was nervous about the weight restrictions for luggage.  Even though I weighed mine several times, I felt as though things were heavier.  I was relieved to find that the airlines actually didn’t weigh our bags!  The flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia was just under 4 hours.  I read a book and enjoyed the flight.  There was some turbulence on the flight!  Get ready for the Drake Passage!  The turbulence would be nothing.  So far I have travelled 4 hours to Miami, 9 hours to Buenos Aires and another 4 Hours to Ushuaia.  I was at the bottom of the world. The southern most cities on the planet! 

Picture
Ushuaia was much colder and windier than Buenos Aires.  In Buenos Aires, I was in shorts and t-shirts.  Ushuaia was cold – like 40 degrees.  And, there was wind!  We were given a tour of Ushuaia and the Tierra del Fuego National Park.  We were in the province of Tierra del Fuego.  Argentina has “provinces” and not states like we do.  The tour guide talked about various trees and the flora and fauna of the area.  I was surprised to learn that fallen trees took a long time to decompose.  The tour guide said up to 70 or 80 years.  

Picture
From there we went on a catamaran.  We ate lunch and then sailed from the port seeing various birds.  A naturalist (Andy) who I have become friends with claimed that he saw a penguin!  We really didn’t believe him.  It was great to have a naturalist right there. Andy would explain what the different birds were and if someone had a question, he was right there to give answers!  The boat took us to a dock where we met up with our busses and our luggage.  Awaiting us was a grand, beautiful ship.

We boarded the National Geographic Endeavor; that is the official name of the ship.  After finding our cabin, we met with passengers to get to know each other and socialize.  People have come from so many different places – New Zealand, San Francisco and London.  So many people have chosen to make this expedition their trip of a lifetime- I feel so blessed to be able to do this. 

As I write this, I am a little nervous.  We met our mentor, Eric.  He welcomed Mr. Sanders and I but was quick to explain that we are going to be experiencing some rough waters crossing the Drake Passage.  The boat is trying to beat out a storm before it hits.  They guarantee some rough water!  Hopefully, the seasickness medication that I took the moment I got on the boat will work!  

This is Andy Szabo showing us the penguin that he spotted! 

Picture
21 Comments
Gregory
12/11/2014 07:11:03 am

Hi,Mr.Szymanski I am so suprised that Andy showed you the penguin he spotted! I like your photos Andy looks kind of happy in the photo. Keep up the Good Work.I was wondering if you have been Exploring A lot Of places.You Know I wake up at 5:30 It takes a lot of work getting up Early!

Reply
Mr. Szymanski
12/12/2014 05:41:25 am

Andy will be very happy that you support him. We were sort of laughing at him - but all in good fun. I have actually now seen penguins with Andy! So exciting!

Reply
Stacia (Blake's Mom)
12/11/2014 07:23:01 am

It's been gun to read your blog. Was you catamaran ride cold? At 40 degrees that means some pretty cold splashes.

I'm wondering how many people live in Antarctica year round. What language is spoken there?

Reply
Mr. Szymanski
12/12/2014 05:40:00 am

Hi there! Antarctica is a multi-governed continent. If you look up on line you will see it is divided into pieces like a pie. Each belonging to a separate country!

Reply
Myles
12/11/2014 09:35:00 am

I like the guy who showed you the Penguins.

Reply
Mr. S.
12/12/2014 05:41:51 am

I will let him know you said that. He is pretty terrific!

Reply
Indigo Blu
12/11/2014 10:55:21 am

Thanks for blogging! I'm really enjoying it! I've been sick for the week but I'll be back on Monday. I really miss you please be safe p. s. Don't fall "Indawater"! Lol

Reply
Mr. S.
12/12/2014 05:43:13 am

A grill flew off the side of the ship when we were crossing the Drake Passage yesterday! Many people go out on the decks - but I am a little scared. I have been out but not that much!

Reply
Olivia and Fam
12/11/2014 12:23:28 pm

We love reading your updates and getting your texts - so very cool! The entire class read your blog today at the promethean board and loved seeing your photos!

Reply
Mr. S.
12/13/2014 10:20:20 am

I think of your guys EVERY second. I have been asked about my "love bugs" by countless people! I wish you all were here with me!

Reply
Briannah and Family
12/14/2014 11:09:46 am

I wish we were there with you to.We have been looking at your pics in class the last few days and a lot of us loved them so much that some of us just shouted out there questions or stuff like that.I loved your pics to but did not shout out my questions or things i wanted to say for the substitute to put on your blog for you to look at.from:Briannah and Family

Chaitan and family
12/11/2014 11:26:44 pm

Mr. S. So amazing and inspirational! Be safe!

Reply
Mr. S.
12/14/2014 04:03:08 am

I am so glad you are following this! There are a few kids on the expedition! I can see you coming on a family adventure like this! Mr. S.

Reply
Briannah
12/12/2014 10:21:37 am

Hello Mr.Szmanski.where are you now?i have saw your pictures and i was wondering where you are now because i can not tell where you are.i have known your picture with the sign that says a whole bunch of stuff.i really love your pictures a lot.how are you doing? have fun Mr.Szmanski! from:Briannah

Reply
Mr. S.
12/13/2014 10:21:15 am

Brianna, I am so glad you are reading my posts! Look on a map and use google to find out where each spot is! Mr. S.

Reply
mariyah
12/12/2014 11:48:01 am

Hi Mr a.l most you .Are you in amystics yet? L can not wait Intel you get back.

Reply
Mr. S.
12/14/2014 04:03:40 am

Miss you too Mariyah! Mr. S.

Reply
Kiya & Kru
12/12/2014 12:03:51 pm

Dear Mr. Szymanski,
Are you getting seasick right now? I hope not. We miss you in our classroom-there's a lot to be done. You would love the story of the nutcracker-maybe we can do a show for you when you come back.
Your blogs are quite funny-I read them every night!
I hope all the people are being nice to you and your making new friends.
Love,
Kiya

Reply
Mr. S.
12/13/2014 10:22:39 am

Hi Kiya and crew! I would love a dance! Everybody here is so nice and kind. Yes, there are LOTS of funny things! I asked Mr. Sanders to take pictures of the silly things I do!

Reply
Liga
12/13/2014 09:39:51 am

when are you going to get there?

Reply
Mr. S.
12/13/2014 10:23:03 am

Keep reading Liga! Miss you! Mr. S.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mr. Szymanski is a 7th Grade Math, Reading and Writing Teacher at Gary Elementary school in Chicago, IL He is bringing the world to his classroom with the help of National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Here, he chronicles his adventures to Antarctica and South America in December 2014. 

    Archives

    January 2015
    December 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • 7th Grade Reading
  • 7TH GRADE GO MATH
  • Parents
  • Online Resources
  • Antarctica Travel Blog
  • Iceland Blog - In search of trolls, fairies and geysers!
  • Antarctica - National Geographic
  • Blood on the River
  • Chapter 1 The Number System
  • 8th Chapter 1: The Number System
  • Antarctica Travel Blog