Experience: I was a bartender in Antarctica

'It was pretty much a given that anyone who had applied for a job on the base was trying to escape something'Looking back, there was a clear omen of what was to come within minutes of my arrival in Antarctica. The first pallet offloaded from the plane that had brought me contained nothing but beer, and was greeted with a great cheer as it was wheeled into the research base where I was to spend the next year.I'd wanted to visit Antarctica ever since I was a child, but in the end it was a wearying job in Silicon Valley that led me to make the leap. After a particularly bad day at the office, I thought, "Where's the farthest I can go to get away?" To my delight, a quick internet search revealed work was available at three US research stations. I convinced the right people I was the man they needed to look after the liquid nitrogen and helium used as coolants for the radio telescopes at the South Pole Station.The bar there, probably the most remote on Earth, was called Club 90 South. Despite being surrounded by ice for 800 miles in every direction, and 8,000 miles away from the local bars I knew, it seemed completely familiar to me: there were six bar stools, a scattering of tables and couches, a pool table, TV and music.One Saturday night soon after I arrived, I walked in and the seat behind the bar was the only one free. Someone said, "Hey, can you get me a beer?" "Do I look like a bartender?" I asked. "Well," he said,...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Tags: The Guardian United States US work & careers World news Food drink Money Features Cocktails Life and style Antarctica US personal finance Science Source Type: news