"Home of the Flying Eagles"
Patrice, our English speaking guide for the nine of us that spoke English (Gena and I are the only Americans on the ship of 200), and the rubber boat (that they call a zodiac) driver casually mentions a tradition of giving all newcomers an “ice water shower”. We all laugh at their joke and say they have to go first. The water is always about 6 degrees Celsius and the chunks of ice, weighing 5 to 40 pounds, are too numerous to count as we get closer to the glacier. There is heavy snow mixed with sleet falling, and the temperature is at freezing. After visiting the glacier, making photos, and exploring the area around the glacier, we slowly pick our way between the chunks of ice that are floating all around us in our zodiac. There are several waterfalls beside the glacier. As we leave the area heading back to the ship, all of us learn the guide and driver had not been kidding earlier. The driver first ran one side of the zodiac group, where half of us are sitting, under one of the water falls, and the group on the other side of the zodiac laugh- until the driver circles and soaks the others. I find out what it is like to wear frozen underwear for the 15 minute ride back to the ship. We all had a good laugh- but I do not intend to do it again, thank you! Patrice and the driver are in one of my photos. Patrice is the one on the left.
Frank Heatherly
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