Tuesday, December 27
Flight from Toronto to Miami to Santiago, Chile … onwards to Ushuaia, Argentina

We depart from Toronto to Miami airport, where we rendezvous with other members of our expedition team. The majority of our group will rendezvous in Miami today (at the International Airport) in order to catch our overnight LAN Airlines flight to Santiago, the capital city of Chile. A great opportunity to catch-up with some last minute Antarctic reading. Upon arrival to Santiago, we will then transfer to our LAN Airlines flight to Ushuaia, Argentina.

JOURNALS for Tuesday (Location: Pearson International Airport)

Jason Shim

I'm sitting here at the airport surrounded by all these new people that I just met. There are people playing cards, journalling on laptops and just getting to know one another. I've only been part of the group for a couple of hours and I love it!

Today, I met Geoff, who until now, I have only seen in pictures on the Students On Ice website and spoken to on the phone. I first heard about the Antarctic expedition six years ago when I was in 12th grade and since then I've kept it in my mind as something that I needed to do in my lifetime. It's weird trying to describe the emotions I'm feeling right now, because this has been such a huge dream for me for a really, really long time.I am so impressed at how open and friendly all the students and other chaperones are. It's wonderful being surrounded by like-minded people who are totally excited for this trip.The customs officer did a double take when I told him that my final destination was Antarctica. I suppose it's not something you hear every day. I've also been very, very lucky. I was sitting in the waiting area when I heard my name over the intercom to go see security. When I arrived, they handed me my passport which had somehow found its way out of my pocket. Oops!

I'm so excited, so excited, so excited. Next stop, Miami!

Allyson “Ally” Parker
Cobourg, ON 

Well, after just over two months of anticipation (for me, anyways), the first group of Students, all from Canada, are currently sitting in Toronto, waiting for the first of our whirlwind flights which will eventually take us to Ushuaia, and then eventually Antarctica. We broke the awkwardness of meeting a whole new group of people by playing Stella Ella Ola and Two Truths and a Lie. After this, we split into groups and started through customs, which proceeded fairly smoothly, despite the massive red bags of Geoff’s that we had to take. Everything proceeded fairly smoothly, even though there were lots of people, especially for someone like me who hasn’t flown in 2 ½ years. Christina fell onto the baggage conveyor belt, but was rescued by Andrew before she was loaded onto the plane as cargo. After making it through security (who knew you needed to take off your shoes?) we took over several rows of seats to eat, relax, and continue to get to know each other. Students, chaperones and expedition members made foraging trips because apparently Air Canada makes you pay for their food. I’m quite looking forward to getting where the birds are and getting out of these stuffy airports! Though I know it’s going to be a while before that happens. Ah well, back to taking pictures.

Andy Pham

We are waiting with intense anticipation at the Toronto airport. The cameras have been flying fast and furious with quick clicks and random poses. Everyone is very excited to be on the plane for our first flight as a group. A lady on the intercom has just informed us that we will have to purchase our food on the plane, much to Christina and my disappointment. The majority of our group has gone foraging for nuts and berries but the few, the proud, the brave have decided to take their chances with the plane food. I wish them luck. Some of us have decided to drown their sorrows in games of chance. But I on the other hand will grin and bear it.