Working as a Research Scientist in Antarctica

Antarctica is both treacherous and beautiful in it’s vastness. During a typical winter morning the temp will raise to negative 25. Add in gale-force winds that blow in all directions covering a two-mile thick glacier, and the wind chill that results can freeze your eyelids shut. Antarctica is one of the harshest places to live on our Earth.

It would be hard to find a job that is more desolate and important as the United State’s permanent scientific outpost located here. At one time only approved researchers and workers were able to be at the South Pole. Now, tourists with enough money can take a charter flight out to see the harsh but wonderful wastelands of the South Pole.

There is not much to observe but white. Within a thousand miles of the Pole there is not even a penguin. But arriving at The Pole continues to be the rarest of experiences in our world of been there, done that.

A lot of the scientists and officials shiver knowing the outpost is a tourist attraction, especially when diesel bulldozers and other heavy equipment help develop the site further. But is doesn’t stop visitors, as they do come frequently during research season. It can’t really be helped, as no one can prevent them from doing so.

No one nation possesses Antarctica, though forty-three nations have executed treaties to protect and examine the icebound landmass which is the size of the U.S. and Mexico together. The U.S. staffs three large stations throughout the year, even during the Pole’s winter, which lasts for eight months without a ray of sunlight. No matter how unwanted visitors are, the unwritten code of the Pole encourages residents and scientists to welcome anyone who makes it as far as 90 degrees south of latitude, even if they are not invited.

Visitors are not solicited since frequently they are not knowledgeable about the area and are not aware they are at 10,000 feet. The result of this is that they arrive cold, dehydrated and dealing with altitude sickness.

The dome’s sleeping accommodations opened in 1975 with the capacity for thirty-three men. Now the two hundred men and women at the Pole crowd into every bed that is available. There is now a stretch of pre-built bunkhouses made of plywood, canvas, and plastic that makes up what is known as Summer Camp.

As in many camps, Summer Camp has access to an unlimited supply of fresh water. However, it takes melting ice with $12 per gallon fuel to get it. This means that showers, laundry, and flush toilets are few and far between. The long trek to a communal bathroom can be a perilous and bone-chilling experience even underneath the blazing sun at 3:00 AM.

The first women who came to Antarctica had to have military escorts. Today, however, women comprise fully one-third of the summer crew and are treated as equals. The Pole takes its toll on the work and the work force.

According to the studies, it takes three times longer for workers to finish a simple task in the extreme cold. This is caused by the brain producing more hormones for physical activity (to warm the body) and decreasing the production of those required for problem solving. In the winter months, conditions get even worse.

During the middle of February, the final plane takes off for the north. That last airplane leaves a group of 28 workers who will live at The Pole for the six months that follow. It will remain dark until spring arrives in October, and the daylight and aircraft return to the continent.

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How Will QPAC Celebrate It’s 25th Year?

One of Brisbane , Australia ’s biggest draws is the Queensland Performing Arts Center. A cultural hub of music, dance, theater as well as family based entertainment; the QPAC as it is well known as, has provided much entertainment and many cultural experience to Aussies and visiting tourists for the past two and a half decades.

Established in 1985, 2010 will mark the 25 year anniversary of this incredible cultural center, which has seen over 13 million people since its inception. And this is just the number of tickets that have been sold and doesn’t even include the many free workshops, performances and outdoor events that the Queensland Performing Arts Center has offered throughout the years.

QPAC has served as a venue for over 20,000 performances but also has created many theatrical productions of its own over the years. From free events to musical performances, the QPAC is planning an exciting year of entertainment.

One of the events that is planned is the Out of the Box festival. This festival is set to run from January until Jun and will have amazing performances and events that are geared to the younger children. There will also be numerous concerts from international artists, local sponsored shows and two show that Queensland has brought forth itself. These two Queensland shows include Calendar Girls and The Silver Rose. The Silver Rose is a performance by the Australian Ballet, and is said to be nothing less than extraordinary.

With so many incredible performances being offered in celebration of the Queensland Performing Arts Centers twenty fifth anniversary, this year may just prove to be their most successful yet. Come out and see what all the fuss is about. You will be delighted and amazed at the level of performances you will experience right in the heart of Brisbane. No matter when you plan to attend, rest assured their will be a spectacular show, performance, or musical event happening at the QPAC, a year round cultural experience for the whole family.

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Watch Out For Flies In The Tropical North Queensland

There are so many wonderful things about Australia and specifically the Tropical North Queensland region. While it can be quite wonderful to wander through the rainforests, you must also be aware that you will encounter quite a few flies to say the least.

While you are in the Rainforest you may find yourself doing the Great Australian Salute. This is what is referred to as brushing you hand across your face in order to ward off all the flies. Flies are so commonly found in this region, as well as all of Australia, that resident often joke about the flies being the National Bird for Australia.

If projecting to pass a reasonable sum of time in the great outdoors, particularly when attending picnics as well as cooks out and such, you would want to make a point to carry along the bug repellent and make certain to bring along a whole slew of tin foil or saran wrap to cover food products. Flies might as well be mentioned to as little blitters and you’ll discover nearly all locations bear fly paper and swatters readily accessible.

Many Stockmen have found while working in the Bush that tying a cork from the brim of their hat and letting it bounce back and forth helps to deter flies from landing on them while keeping their hands free to do their work. This neat idea has also lead to an expression in the region. When referring to a person who is smart people will say that there are no flies on him.

While flies could be extremely bothersome and many individuals do not enjoy when they shoot down upon food, they actually do not present any major menace to man or other creatures. Some of the unusual breeds of flies in Australia do bite, particularly those encountered in swamplands, called sand flies as well as those encountered upon farms, called horse flies, however no damage will surface from these type of bites and a bit of eucalyptus oil will take the sting right out from a fly bite. Regrettably dealings with these little blitters is simply a part of the Australian experience and essentially needs to be stomached.

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Is Spiritual Gay Travel Fun?

There seems to be the conception that gay spirituality travel (whatever that means to you) is “work”. Nobody wants to work on a vacation. That’s why we take a vacation in the first place, to get “away from it all” for awhile, to escape. We seem to frame the concepts of spiritual and personal growth with thoughts like: “I need to do this” or “I should do that” because “it would be good for me”. With those ideas as a background, it’s no wonder that so many of us think of spiritual and personal growth as “work”. When we’re on a vacation, we want to leave all the “need to’s” and “should’s” of daily life behind us, for at least a short time.

Spiritual gay travel is actually a great joy. You meet likeminded people and share your experiences with them and you get a chance to really get to know them. Connecting with others this deeply adds a great deal to our vacation enjoyment. It is this connection to other people that is so lacking in our lives.

We have also learned that being “spiritual” means we must act solemn. We seem to think that play is anti-spiritual. The truth is just the opposite. Laughter brings a real connection to spirit and connection that is more profound than you can imagine

In actuality, I have found just the opposite to be true. When we are awake and aware of our surroundings, in other words “spiritually” connected, our gay vacations are amplified and intensified. We are able to experience more of the world around us and experience it at a deeper level. We have found that this amplified experience actually makes our adventures more “fun” because all aspects of our travel are intensified; we can play more, we can laugh more, we can relax more fully and we can even shop more!

A good example of this is children. All is new to them and all is a wonder to encounter. They find joy in everything. All that they see and touch is theirs to play with. Experiencing the world as a child does is an incredible way to be.

And last, but certainly not least, sometimes people confuse the experience of being awestruck as being serious or solemn. When you travel with conscious awareness there can be times when you will be “deeply moved” (awestruck) by something you encounter. It could be the hospitality of a family you meet; a genuine smile; the grandeur of a sunrise or simply the revelation that you are blessed to be alive. Personally, even after countless visits to Monument Valley, I am still moved tears while I am there. But these are tears of joy, humility and gratitude.

Essay penned by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys provides gay retreats and gay romantic packages.

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Gay Spirituality: On The Journey

Gay spirituality has been long sought and hard fought. Let’s face it, a large percentage of us grew up in churches that condemned us. It is completely common to go through a strong questioning period where spiritual answers seem out of reach and you end up looking for some sort of confirmation. The problem is that there is no actual confirmation, but the journey is still well worth it.

Many of us began our own form of gay spirituality when we were young. Growing up in our churches we heard things, realized things, and felt like an outsider standing within the ring of fire.

This led to a natural progression of questions that were taken away from the church and into other possibilities. Some people created groups and offered emotional and spiritual support along with the fight for social justice.

There are all kinds of ways that one may try to find spiritual answers. When gay spirituality was first even mentioned, there was no such thing as an open and affirming church. Instead, there were a few select individuals who saw the plight of our spiritual journey and went out of their way to reach out to the community. Some turn toward that effort and others still turn away, looking for validation in the eyes of their childhood church.

For those of us that were born in very religious or religiously strict families, the spiritual journey can be difficult and even painful. The idea that we could pray ourselves straight of that the head of the church could “fix us” was not only uninformed, but outright damaging to a young person’s self image. There will probably never be an admission from such churches that their practices were damaging, and looking for one will not lead to the confirmation you want.

Sometimes your spiritual answers are all around you. You might find that the miracle of your partner or the miracle of having a family together is enough of an answer. You may be wandering the world and simply gathering bits of a spiritual journey. You don’t have to receive your gay spirituality badge from an actual religious figure if you don’t want to. Your journey is very much within your own control and you have many choices. You can change your options whenever you please as well, making your choices ever more abundant.

Gay spirituality isn’t just about acceptance. It is about a sense of self and in some cases a sense of dignity. There are plenty of cast outs that would love to come full circle, hear their childhood church admit fault for treatment of their gay membership, and feel righted after being mistreated. Yet we can only take that idea so far. It’s about understanding and then reconciling that the religious teachings that we experienced were created by people. The actual spiritual journeys are felt internally and can’t be taught. It is a noticeable and distinct feeling.

Of course, if joining an open and affirming church feels good to you, by all means they offer a great spiritual sanctuary. The biggest point of all is that along your journey of today, there are actually choices. You get to find your own gay spirit, church or no church, which is a step forward in and of itself. Since your journey never needs to actually end, you get to choose your direction all the time.

Spread composed by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys produces gay retreats for gay travel groups and singles.

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Owning a Fifth Wheel is Better than Being a Third Wheel

Being called a third wheel isn’t generally a compliment. It usually means you aren’t wanted. But when you own a fifth wheel, everyone will want to be around you and travel with you. Fifth wheels are one of the roomiest RVs on the market with plenty of space and privacy for all.

Fifth wheels offer space with elevated ceilings that reach higher than other models of RVs. Slide-outs, up to five of them, depending on the model, give even more space, about three feet for each slide-out. Top of the line models can be as custom as you like with uniquely designed cabinetry and furnishings.

While ceiling height helps, the 21-40 feet of length is what gives the fifth wheel a reputation for luxury accommodations. Queen and king size beds help make this RV feel like home. Up to eight people fit comfortably, so pack in family and friends for a trip to the local golf tournament or travel across the border for a summer or winter get-away.

Models start at $20,000 while the most luxurious can cost over a million dollars. However, that money goes towards unique RV features like a master bedroom or living room that sits on top of the truck bed.

Next time you’re on the road and want to run to the grocery store, or want to take a backcountry road to the middle of nowhere, simply detach the fifth wheel and leave it at the campground. The versatility of fifth wheels is one of the reasons for their popularity.

A few other key features of the fifth wheel are the shower, living room and bedrooms, making this a four star accommodation on wheels. Add to that a state-of-the art sound and entertainment system and friends will be knocking on your door to take the next trip with you.

Lightweight models have recently hit the market that work with half ton trucks, making them a consideration for more and more families. The newer models retain the same amount of amenities and quality furnishings as other models.

A fifth wheel isn’t for everyone, but it is for the exclusive, for those who like to live life at a certain level. Family and friends can pile in, or this resort can be a private nest for couples, turning a bedroom into an office. Time fades away in a fifth wheel as you travel at any speed you like, lingering in magical locations or speeding away from bad weather.

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Package Deals For Your Next Gold Coast Holiday

A terrific destination for your upcoming vacation is the Gold Coast of Australia. While planning your vacation you may want to consider utilizing the internet in order to find great package deals and prices. Although many are still not comfortable with making purchases or accommodation arrangements on the web, it is really the best place to find the best prices on everything that you desire out of your vacation.

Now unlike most package deals you get to choose your flight and your hotel. You can select from many of the finest area hotels and the accommodations tend to range from three to five stars which does influence the price. With the best names in hotels you can choose from the 5 star Surfer’s Paradise Marriott Hotel and Spa and the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove which is an incredible 3 star hotel.

Among the benefits of reserving your vacation in that way is that the parties that extend these bargains generally work with solely the largest and finest hotel chains on the globe, and while you’re attempting to select hotels from afar you prefer to know that what you’re coming across online equals what you will discover once you arrive. Vacation flight and accommodation combinations likewise grant you the additional time to ascertain bargains on your auto rental as well as get your trip documents arranged delivering the peace of mind that your main bookings are already in place.

Vacation packages range from $1800 to $3000 on average, which is an incredible deal for these deluxe accommodations for 5 to 7 days plus round trip airfare. Now certainly you can try and create your own combination of deals, and may be able to get a better price, but if you are looking for travel with ease and arrangements that are easily booked on the web than you might want to consider a package deal for your next Gold Coast holiday.

Always make sure you have all your documentations and arrangements with you when you travel. Remember to be safe, have fun, and get yourself accustomed to the laws of the land.

There are numerous broadbeach accommodation packages that you can look into on the internet. Whether you are looking to purchase your broadbeach hotels and airfare as a package or individually log onto www.goldcoastinformation.com.au.

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Main Beach Gold Coast Australia

If you are looking for a Gold Coast holiday in Australia then you are on track to finding one of Australia’s most popular holiday and travel destinations. Accommodation on the Gold Coast varies from the entertaining Gold Coast Resorts through to luxury 5 Star hotels and onto the simpler camping and Gold Coast Caravan Parks. Which ever Gold Coast accommodation you decide upon you can take comfort in knowing that in excess of ten million people visit the Gold Coast each year to enjoy all the beaches, surf and entertainment this unique Australian holiday destination has to offer.

The small inland town of Beenleigh is at the northern most point of the Gold Coast and Kingscliff Beach, which is actually in New South Wales, is the southern most point of the Gold Coast. The better know Gold Coast destinations such as Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach sit approximately half way between these two towns. Every beach and every town in Gold Coast Australia gives visitors something new and exciting to experience. The Gold Coast offers excellent family holiday attractions and accommodation.

If you planning a tour of the Gold Coast and its many attractions then Main Beach is an excellent and central place to discover all that the region has to offer. Being one of the most stunning golden beaches on the Gold Coast Main Beach has its own life saving club which regularly patrols the beach providing safe swimming opportunities. The main land based destination at Main Beach Gold Coast is Tedder Avenue which houses a large number of bistro’s, cafes and restaurants as well as some great shopping opportunities.

Accommodation Gold Coast in Main Beach includes a complete selection of styles and room configurations including Gold Coast resorts, Gold Coast hotels, hostels, motels and self contained apartments. There is plenty of fun and entertainment to be had during your Gold Coast holidays at Main Beach and taking the time to pre-book your Gold Coast holiday accommodation will ensure you get to see and do all that you and your family want. To the north of Main Beach is the Spit which is located between the Gold Coast Broadwater and the Pacific Ocean. Gold Coast holiday attractions such as Sea World, the Palazzo Versace Hotel and the Marina Mirage are all located around the Spit.

There is a good selection of Gold Coast Main Beach accommodation available which includes self contained apartments such as Golden Sands, Amira Apartments, Contessa Holiday Apartments, Deville Apartments, Crest Apartments, Hibiscus, and Aloha Lane Apartments. There are also a number of hotels in Main Beach Gold Coast including Beachside Towers, the luxurious five star Palazzo Versace hotel and Carrington Court. Resorts include Chidori Court, Mint Resorts and Apartments, Oscar on Main Resort, Ocean Sands Resort, Pacific Views Resort and BreakFree Maldives Resort all offering value for money Gold Coast accommodation. For visitors looking to combine their Gold Coast accommodation with a Gold Coast theme park try Sea World Resort and Water Park which offers 4.5 star accommodation with access to the theme park and three lagoon pools.

Caravan sites, camping sites and Main Beach cottages and cabins are also available at Gold Coast Tourists Parks. Gold Coast tours are also available from Main Beach and can be booked at value for money prices. There is the exciting Sea World which includes Sea World Resort accommodation and onsite attractions such as the Shark Bay feeding display, Polar Bears snorkelling, scuba diving and dolphin performances. Other attractions at Main Beach Gold Coast the Marina Mirage shopping and entertainment complex, surfing schools, four wheel drive tours and of course all the Gold Coast theme parks which are close by. Which ever way you look at it, Main Beach Gold Coast is a great Gold Coast holidays choice.

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Find The Meaning Of Life By Engaging In Spiritual Travel

Many of us have traveled extensively but have at the end of our travels come away feeling less than satisfied which is why it makes sense to find out a little bit more about how spiritual travel can provide that feeling of fulfillment. If you have had your fill of cathedrals from the Gothic era and the sight of another Madonna does not uplift your spirits then you need to find an alternative solution which can take the form of traveling to find spiritual solace.

Gay spirituality travel is more than a catch phrase meant to make you seek some far off destination. As a matter of fact, traveling for spiritual reasons is not new because from the very earliest times in our history people have made pilgrimages. Traveling for religious purposes is not a new concept and as far back as in the early 16th century Spanish nationals (Jesuits) used to travel to places such as Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina to build missions where natives would be educated in the Christian religion.

In these modern times, traveling for spiritual reasons has become more popular and there are numerous options to choose from that include going to places other than Yucatan, the Vatican and also Egypt. The best way to lift up your spirits is to travel to places where the surroundings are idyllic and a good example is a Buddhist monastery which is mainly found in Asia though some are also located in Europe and in the United States.

To get the true Buddhist spiritual experience you will want to choose Bodhgaya as your destination. This is a place that is part of the Indian state of Bihar and it is here that Lord Buddha sat under a Bodhi tree and finally became enlightened about the meaning of life. This part of the world where Lord Buddha became enlightened has become the home of a giant complex called the Mahabodhi Temple.

This is truly an exceptional place where the surroundings are perfectly serene and where everything is truly peaceful. Here, monks from different parts of the world sit under a huge carved Lord Buddha statue. They spend their time here reading from the Holy Scriptures and spend their time in deep and thoughtful contemplation.

Bodhgaya is home of many a Buddhist monastery each of which is maintained by Buddhists from different countries. If you are planning on flying here, there is an airport at Gaya that is about seven miles away from Bodhgaya and which sees a few flights arriving here from the not too distant metropolis of Kolkata.

For those who are planning to travel from the rest of India the closest airport is Patna which is also the capital of Bihar and which is 87 miles from the town of Bodhgaya. You can also choose to travel by train which will mean getting off at Gaya that is close to Bodhgaya and which means traveling at leisure and for considerably less cost.

There are few better places to find gay retreats than Bodhgaya that has kept itself pure and untouched by the ravages of modern civilization. So, a visit to Bodhgaya will not only be very pleasant and productive; it will also be a very different and unique experience as well.

Information by Howie Holben for gay retreats. Spirit Journeys focuses on your gay spirit.

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Big Bear, Small World

Big Bear Lake, California is a quaint valley township in the majestic San Bernardino mountains. There are many smaller cities on the way up the mountain such as Crestline, Angelus Oaks, Running Springs, Arrow Bear and even the beautiful private lake town named Lake Arrowhead.

Big Bear Lake is really made up of several smaller towns such as, Boulder Bay, Big Bear Lake, Moonridge, Big Bear City, Sugarloaf, Erwin Lake, Lake Williams, Baldwin Lake and Fawnskin.

Boulder Bay is an elite real estate area with its own shoreline. Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski resorts can be found in Big Bear Lake along with most stores and restaurants. Moonridge is nestled in the hillside and riddled with trees and curvy inclines.

Big Bear City is a very populated town of residents on your way west to Big Bear Lake. Sugarloaf is home to many folks as well. It’s structures and streets are very compact. Erwin Lake is the wilderness home area at the end of Big Bear Lake. Lake Williams and Baldwin Lake are where the cowboys live by their own means away from plumbing and other wimpy amenities. Finally, Fawnskin is a cute little town on the lake that you might just miss if you blink.

Tourism in Big Bear Lake doesn’t always focus on the minute aspects of what this area has to offer. But this town has several schools, restaurants and businesses like any other major city elsewhere.

Traveling away from the main roads might offer you an exciting foray into quaint and cozy residential areas. Just be careful not to meander into the wilderness. Big Bear Lake is special, secret getaway for many to be entertained and to build everlasting memories.

Sure, most people come to Big Bear Lake for the slopes and the lake, but you may be surprised what other attractions you may enjoy up here in the mountains. Stop by anytime and open your eyes to the beautiful sights and you lungs to the fresh clean mountain air in Southern California’s Big Bear Lake.

Article submitter E. Jamis is quite experienced in shopping Big Bear CA real estate and Big Bear Lake, CA homes for sale overall.

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