One Year Goes By

I have reached a major landmark today, the 6th Dec 2008. It is more of a personal landmark. It is exactly one year since I sailed from Goa for Antarctica. We sailed from Mormugoa Harbour, Goa on this day last year at 13:35 hrs. The moment we were sailing away from our homeland is still firmly etched in my memory. There was a horde of people to see us off at the harbour. The gangway was slowly lifted up. The pilot boat began to tug us away from our berthing place into open waters. We began to slowly sail away from land. All hands were waving high up in the air. My parents were also there in the crowd, waving at us till the ship was out of the harbour. My heart was full of trepidation. I did not know what lay ahead. I had some serious doubts whether I would be able to meet this challenge. I did not know what lay ahead. I had virtually shot in the dark. It was like going into the deep, dark and unknown forest. Had I bitten more than I could chew? I never needed to do this. I had everything going for me, when I threw it all away and took up this offer. These and many more thoughts were going through my mind as we sailed away from India and land slowly drifted out of view, and the only sign that land was nearby was the presence of sea birds. I had given up myself to destiny. I was sure it had something lined up for me.

But now, one year is over and we are at the fag end of our expedition. The worst, and also the best are finally over. The remaining few weeks are not going to be easy by any standards. But what I have experienced during the last one year has been worth every bit of our stay here, and all the hardships that we have undergone. Antarctica has given a whole new perspective to my life, and also a few extra kilogramsJ J. This is easily going to be the most memorable year for me for a long time to come. There will be many more such reminiscences. So I will save the rest for later.