And this is us…

Good morning, howdy and hello!

Another couple of weeks have passed. We have now reached the equinox and are enjoying the starry night sky – and yes, we have even been able to see the aurora australis. Now it really is time to finally introduce ourselves as the complete 44th ÜWI team, so that you know who you are dealing with or will be dealing with in the coming months. Let’s go!

Alex Ponniah, 31, Nature documentary film director

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
I am making a film about Emperor Penguins for National Geographic

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
The view from Neumayer is fantastic and changes constantly with the light conditions and the moving icebergs in the bay

What brought me here:
I like exercising, photography, watching movies and reading comic books

When I’m not working, I like to…
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I had wanted to experience for many years

My favorite song is:
Papercut – Linkin Park

Which places I like in my homeland:
The Natural History Museum in London

Amelie Nüsse, 27, geophysicist

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
Together with Andrey, I look after the geophysical observatory. First and foremost, this means monitoring data acquisition, picking and localising earthquakes and taking measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field. But there are also many other smaller tasks that arise

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
The view from the lounge when there is drifting snow

What brought me here:
The drive to learn new things, the desire for weather extremes and isolation

When I’m not working, I like to…
Knitting, playing the trumpet and the guitar, jogging, skiing, playing darts or simply enjoying film evenings

My favorite song is:
I do not have a favourite song. But for me, House by the sea by Moddi is associated with many memories, which is why I like to listen to this song again and again

Which places I like in my homeland:
My favourite walk with the dog through the neighbouring fields and forests

Andrey, 43, geophysicist

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
Mostly I pick earthquakes and also localise earthquakes, and I take care of geophysical instruments that we have here a little bit. Of course, I don’t do it alone, but together with my colleague Amelie

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
I like that the station is big, so everyone can have their peace and quiet or sit together in the lounge and chat, play games or watch films

What brought me here:
Coincidence and curiosity, of course

When I’m not working, I like to…
Phone calls with my family

My favorite song is:
The sound of silence

Which places I like in my homeland:
Altai Mountains

Anja Weber, 58, surgeon, vascular surgeon, qualified sports teacher

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
I’m the station doctor and station manager and, like everyone else, I do everything that comes up

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
The panoramic window facing south, playing billiards and the piano

What brought me here:
The desire to do something completely new or different again; the opportunity to experience extreme weather and nature

When I’m not working, I like to…
Gardening, sports, photography and being together with loved ones and chatting

My favorite song is:
Ain’t nobody by Chaka Khan/Rufus

Which places I like in my homeland:
My garden, the landing stage on the Ruhr below the Hattingen lock

Helen Hobin, 30, Camerawoman

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
I specialise in filming wildlife behaviour for documentaries, and am working on a film about emperor penguins for National Geographic, alongside Pete and Alex

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
I love the otherworldly landscape, the changing light and crunch of ice. At the station there are lots of fun ways to spend time together – on the bouldering wall, over board games or exploring nearby

What brought me here:
I’ve been lucky to travel a lot for my work, but this is the first time a shoot has brought me to mainland Antarctica!

When I’m not working, I like to…
Sketch and paint, to read and to be outdoors. I am only just learning the piano, but the endless icy view when playing here is incredible

My favorite song is:
That’s too tricky a question! Perhaps Skateaway by Dire Straits. I listen to The Crane Wives, The National and First Aid Kit often

Which places I like in my homeland:
The bluebell woods, rivers to wild swim in, my little cottage garden, the countryside in Devon near my family, especially when the hawthorn is in blossom

Joerg, 54, IT admin

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
I look after the IT landscape and the radio equipment and, as a radio operator, I am responsible for general and aeronautical radio

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
The range of tasks is very broad and you can learn something new every day. In addition, the environment is unique, of course, and the seclusion over a longer period of time is an experience

What brought me here:
Curiosity, the desire to experience something unusual and ultimately chance

When I’m not working, I like to…
Chill out in the lounge, do some sport, sit together with colleagues

My favorite song is:
Sultans of swing (Dire Straits)

Which places I like in my homeland:
The Palatinate Forest, especially the hiking huts and forest restaurants

Johann Anger, 33, marine engineer

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
Maintenance engineer ≙ gas-water-shit, snow shovelling, energy

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
Transporting snow from A to B
freezing outside
curing indoors

What brought me here:
Stories of former ÜWI’s, the ocean and the desire to set foot on all continents

When I’m not working, I like to…
Break
Eat-Sleep-Read-Repeat

My favorite song is:
My Face – Biga*Ranx

Which places I like in my homeland:
O Arzgebirg, wie bist du schie,
Mit deine Wälder, ihr Wiesen, Barg on Tol,
In Winter weiß, in Sommer grü. (A.G. 1927)
Rentnerbank – RV/Meteor
Parkwarte Aue

Johannes, 32, electrical engineer

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
Together with the station engineer, I look after the technical operation of the station. To be more precise, I repair vehicles, maintain systems or climb the wind turbine.

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
The opportunities offered by the station, the sunrise and sunset and the super clean air.

My favorite song is:
My former lecturer told me about the job at Neumayer. The continent, the weather extremes and the adventure quickly convinced me.

When I’m not working, I like to…
Sports, enjoying nature and meeting up with friends.

My favourite song is:
I can’t decide on one song, but I would say techno is my favourite genre.

Which places I like in my homeland:
Nature: the view of orange-red vineyards, flowering fields and meadows and the lush green forest.

Laura Fabian, 30 years old and I am both the cook and the baker

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
Catering for the physical well-being of all station members 😊

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
My baking rack, handmade, a must for every baker :)
The combi-steamer, my personal highlight and the breathtaking view from the window in the morning

What brought me here:
I just googled for an unusual job as a cook and now I’m here…

When I’m not working, I like to…
Dreaming…, reading and having good conversations with the others

My favorite song is:
Absolutely everything by Britney Spears! And only classical music or Reinhard Mey can top that 😉

Which places I like in my homeland:
The best place for me is not a fixed location, but when I’m walking in the field with my dog, sitting in the garden with my parents or simply lying in bed

Pablo Conrat Fuentes, 25, meteorologist

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
Looking after measuring instruments, observing the weather, launching balloons…

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
Where it stands & the 1000 possibilities it offers

What brought me here:
Subject: [Students] Vacancy: Overwintering Meteorologist Neumayer Station (Antarctica) WANTED

When I’m not working, I like to…
Playing the piano, learning to play the electric bass, carving, embroidery, handicrafts, bouldering, weight training, rowing, photography, chatting with colleagues…

My favorite song is:
I can’t decide, but I’m currently listening to a lot of Radiohead

Which places I like in my homeland:
The mountains, rivers and lakes, of course, but also my favourite everyday places such as the view to the south as you cycle over the Luitpold Bridge. The way the Isar, bridges and towers move through the picture at different speeds is a dream!

Pete McCowen, 52, Director of Photography

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
Along with the rest of the National Geographic team, I am making a film documentary on the Emperor Penguins as they overwinter through the dark months and raise this year’s brood of chicks

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
The untouched wilderness, and open expanse of snow and ice. The beautiful low light and the clear starry skies

What brought me here:
The penguins

When I’m not working, I like to…
I practice Qi Gong, play mbira, take photographs, build things, make knives, do some art and learn guitar

My favorite song is:
Over the Hill, by John Martyn

Which places I like in my homeland:
Dartmoor, where I live, and all its secret hidden valleys

Tim Bösch, 38, atmospheric physicist

This is what I do at Neumayer-Station:
Supervision of the Air Chemistry Observatory

This is what I like at Neumayer-Station:
Play darts/billiards and admiring the icebergs from the window

What brought me here:
I was convinced by the stories told by friends of mine who were ÜWIs before

When I’m not working, I like to…
Sports, playing guitar, reading, gaming

My favorite song is:
Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)

Which places I like in my homeland:
The Malberg in Leuterod and the Bürgerpark in Bremen

We wish you all a happy Easter! See you soon, your 44th ÜWI team.