Michael Goes To Antarctica
This adventure happened when Michael was a senior at Pitt. He had already begun his career of “humanitarian aid” and had already risked his life to help others.
One day, about a week before spring break–when college students break free from the confines of academia and drink themselves half to death–I got a phone call from Michael.
“Mom, is it OK if I go to Antarctica over spring break?”
First of all, he sounded like a little boy, asking if he could go and play at a friend’s house.
After that, he explained what was going to happen. The U.N. was sending some people on a mission to Antarctica to teach first aid methods to the people living in the settlement there. Here’s what touched me the most: Michael’s supervisor at the U.N. planned the trip around spring break. He wanted Michael to lead the group. As some old lady would say: I plotzed. So proud of him.
I was happy, if that could describe it. At least he wasn’t going into a war zone or a place with cholera and poisonous stinging insects.
He had to fly to Rio de Janiero–I don’t think I spelled that right. Then he flew from there to the Cape, the tip of land that’s the bottom of the continent. And from there to Antarctica. I thought it sounded wonderful, and it’s the only trip he took that I wish I could have joined.
The photos from the trip were beautiful and other-worldly. In one of them Michael is standing outside, among huge boulders of snow and ice…and he only had a T-shirt on! Funny! Also Michael would always bring me nice presents from his trips. This time he brought me a little stuffed toy–a penguin bought at the Cape before heading out. I have it in a place where I can see it every day.
lgmwriting 