My First Galley Duty at Maitri

Galley duties are one of the many unique experiences of an Antarctic expedition. During the ship journey to Antarctica, they were very benign being confined to just giving the cook a helping hand, particularly while making chappatis and paranthas. Many of us came up with ideas to make the galley duty experience unique in their own little way. Some improvised with the garnishing of food, some gave table service to all, and still others made a special dish or two.

We got a taste of real life during the summers, when we did galleys of the summer camp. This was mostly in the open in sub zero temperatures, at a time when we were not accustomed to the cold and the wind. During my first galley duty, it was very windy and, as a result, very cold. I was supposed to fetch water from the Priyadarshani lake for the refreshment hut, Annapurna. The lake had frozen at the edges. So I had to go a bit further into the lake to get water. I was scared of the ice breaking under my weight and my feet getting soaked with ice cold water. Hemraj Meena was my partner, and also my guide during my first galley. He told me to go inside as the ice wont break. I did as he said, trusting his experience. But he was grossly wrong. My foot went shin deep into the ice cold water, and froze inside my shoes. I was feeling miserable and cold. The cold was unbearable. I could feel no sensation in my feet. Meena got the water and I dashed off to my hut to change my shoes and socks and most importantly, warm my feet. My toes had turned an angry red. I wore a double layer of socks and continued with my galley. This involved cleaning Annapurna, fetching refreshments from the main station, disposing off the garbage, cleaning the bathroom and the toilets (this was another miserable task). We also had to burn the human waste and dispose off the ashes. It is usually not a difficult task, but under the conditions prevailing that day, I felt terrible working in the cold and wind. When the toilet burning was complete and I was going to disposing off the ashes, the wind blew the whole thing on my face. This was really disgusting. Even after one year, I feel the whole thing sticking on my face. Some experience, this…..

Priyadarshani Lake in Initial Stages of Freezing

Annapurna Hut

Bathing Complex

Toilet Complex of Summer Camp