Would You Live in an Antarctic Penguin Post Office?
Applications soar at post office in Port Lockroy, Antarctica
Job location: A soccer field-sized island in Port Lockroy, Antarctica.
Job duties: Process 700,000 pieces of mail, teach 18,000 cruise ship visitors and monitor 2,000 stinky penguins in less-than-ideal conditions.
Sound like a dream job? If so, you’re not the only one—officials at the U.K. Antarctic Heritage Trust say that they’ve received over 1,500 applications for a job at the “Penguin Post Office,” up from just 82 last year.
The BBC reports that the post office on Goudier Island has “comfortable” living conditions, but the lodgings aren’t exactly hotel-quality. With no power grid, heat or hot water, limited communications and 24-hour daylight, applicants must be willing to withstand harsh Antarctic conditions to apply. In return, they will receive a $1700 per month stipend and spend the summer as the stewards of the island’s thousands of gentoo penguins.
For over a decade, the island has been home to a wildlife study aimed at collecting environmental data about how humans impact penguin populations. But though the island is popular with cruise ship visitors, it’s carefully regulated to protect the penguins, and the entire eastern half of the tiny island is off-limits even to post office protectors.
When this year’s four winning applicants take possession of the island from November through March, they’ll take their place alongside the 4,000 scientists who study in Antarctica throughout the summer.
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credits: smithsonian.com, eric blakemore, bbc, pbs
If i didn’t love my job…i would move…if they would have me.
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Always an option –
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Hmmmm, for a weekend maybe.
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A long weekend –
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Interesting. Someone who wants to “get away from it all” in a really extreme way. And think about it…they would save all the money they made because there would be no place to spend it!
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True !
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Oh wow I couldn’t.
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)
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It looks beautiful on the picture…. but I don’t know if I could make it for too long since I love summer so much more!
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It’s summer there during our winter , is that helps )
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Hehe…. then I should consider it as a winter residence… lol!
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Yes –
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😊
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Sounds fascinating to me!
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Send a postcard )
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Well, maybe if the penguins weren’t stinky…
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Hah!
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I’ll do it! 🙂
>
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let john know asap –
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Wow! Takes a certain type of person I guess!
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It certainly does )
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I think I will last for a day or maybe less 😀
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))
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There is a wonderful PBS documentary called Penguin Post Office that you should watch! It’s about this very post office!
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Ooh – I can’t wait to see it – thanks!
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bbrrrr !
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yessssss…..
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Not in a million years, but don’t tell the penguins I said that.
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i’ll never tell –
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not even if they paid 1 million a day
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Hahahaha
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Thanks but no thanks. I think the reality wouldn’t match the dream
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This is a fascinating post. I wouldn’t do it but I know people who might! It would be quite an adventure for sure.
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there is truly something for everyone…
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I’d love to visit the frozen south someday, but as a tourist.
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probably a bit easier )
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This was a very interesting post about a post office. Ha ha ha 🙂 Beth, this reminds me of how Tracey was in Antarctica for a science education project in summer of 2014. I would not be able to do this. 🙂
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i wouldn’t either, but it sounds like such an interesting opportunity for the right person –
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Brrr, I needed thermals just to read that.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Hahahaha –
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No heat or hot water? Does that mean no dishwasher? Too rugged for me:)
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i’m guessing no dishwasher is correct –
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Beth what an amazing experience this would be, something my husband would love to do. Me..not so keen, but it looks awesome and I would enjoy the penguins.
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It would be very memorable –
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sending resume today, thanks
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Good luck to you !
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It sounds romantic in a way but with all that daylight lets hope they are provided with nice thick curtains: we all need a good nights sleep
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Yes, including the penguins –
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Yes, yes! Though, for now, I like my family commitments. With the modern internet, one could download all the movies and books one wants. I would miss my fresh salad greens. Wonder if there is a green house there? Still sounds very compelling.
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it seems the worst case for some and best case for others )
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