Australians

McMurdo acts as a "hub" of sorts for some of the different countries who are going to bases that are either to small to handle large aircraft or don't have the heavy equipment to keep an active runway for the entire season.  These people come down through McMurdo and then get transferred to their base.  This year we have done this for the Italians, Koreans, New Zealanders, and the Australians.  Most went smoothly, until the Aussies came a few days ago.  First, they were delayed in Hobart a few days waiting on good weather both at their base, Casey, and at McMurdo.  They flew down and boarded the flight to Casey and the plane had a mechanical fault, then the weather turned bad....and stayed that way for three days.  They are still here.  There are 54 Aussies waiting to get out of McMurdo.  All of them have been really nice and have been seen out hiking around and enjoying the recreational activities here.  We just heard that the plane is broken and they will be here yet another day.  It is great to experience a place where so many different nationalities get along and help each other out. 

Aussies looking at our map to plan their hiking routes around McMurdo.

A map of the different stations.  Casey is where the Aussies are trying to get to.

In keeping with the peaceful nature of Antarctica and all nations cooperating I thought I would include one of the best sentences from the Antarctic Treaty:
Recognizing that it is in the interest of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord;
Acknowledging the substantial contributions to scientific knowledge resulting from international cooperation in scientific investigation in Antarctica;

And peaceful it is.  If only the whole world could live this way.........

And if you want to read more from the Antarctic Treaty.
http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/anttrty.jsp