Tomasz Kurczaba, the head of the 47th Polish Antarctic Expedition, recently shared a video on Instagram showing what it is like to work in Antarctica. The video has since gone viral on social media because a lot of people mistook it for something happening inside a moving train.
In the video, a person clad in a jacket, gloves, winter boots, and goggles is trying to close the door of what appears to be a cabin. However, the rapid wind movement outside the room makes the task difficult. The person is almost blowing away and is struggling to hold on to the room. The objects inside the room are also moving because of the window. Another person is recording the video and at the end, extends their arms. The clip ends when the other person reaches out to take the hand.
"Typical workday in Antarctica. 47th Polish Antarctic Expedition. King George Island," read the caption.
"I thought it was a train," commented one user. "The Polar Express in real life," wrote another. "It's a flying house," said one netizen. Another said that they had to watch it six times to understand what was happening. Shared a few weeks ago, the video now has over 24 million views.
King George Island is one of the most extreme spots in the Antarctic Peninsula. Weather conditions are known to change rapidly within minutes. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Poland, Russia, South Korea, and Uruguay have year-round bases. Some other nations maintain summer-only stations.
Kurczaba frequently posts on Instagram about his work. "The important issue of being, I'm not talking anymore, work in Antarctica is patience and calmness. Reasons to be frustrated, upset are many. Everything that surrounds us here can spoil this peace. I think I'm a pretty chill person. My last trip taught me a lot, a year and a half spending time at the station has made me a more peaceful person. Less nerves, more understanding gave me enough strength to find a moment to relax my mind in a difficult world," he wrote in another Instagram post.
"Now that I'm here again in a different role, my patience levels must be enormous. I now have 7 people under me and I have to keep them safe and in a good mood. One summer I was responsible for more than 50 people. Each individual has a different vision of being here, everyone is different and everyone wants to be unique. Lots of different things going on, everyone reacts differently to being here. Sometimes this is a very safe class, and sometimes it’s not. Can't contain it anymore that's why you need a lot of patience," he added.
In another post, he talked about what the expedition involves. "Our work is often based on pontoon rides. We are constantly talking about this zodiac boat, it's easier that way. Hours spent on the water teach you to recognize danger, danger and listen to the voice of nature. Many times while working under glaciers I had the opportunity to see a piece of a glacier break and fall into the water. Ice calving season lasts all year. This massive mass of frozen water lives 365 days a year, and every day something's moving from it."