There are places on Earth that challenge the very essence of survival, and Antarctica reigns among them. An unforgiving paradise of ice, where amenities are as sparse as warmth in the windy expanse. Amid this frosty setting, a rare job opportunity has surfaced, beckoning the brave to embrace life among the penguins. Let's peel back the icy curtain and unveil this unique job at the renowned Penguin Post Office. Prepare for a lifestyle with showers twice a month among pristine white landscapes.
Each year, the Antarctic Heritage Trust is flooded with applications for its coveted roles. This season offers three spots, exclusively for UK enthusiasts. Candidates will tackle 80,000 pieces of mail and postcards, serving the nearly 18,000 cruise voyagers while managing a quaint gift shop. Charity manager Katie Shaw from Manchester threw her hat—adorned with map and explorer tattoos—into the ring.
'From childhood, my dream was to work as a marine biologist in Antarctica. I may not have realized that education, but I've always been drawn to its wildlife, scenery, and the essence of the continent—crucial for our environment,' says Shaw. Fulfilling clerical duties, selling stamps, caring for buildings, and running the gift shop will be on the agenda. Staff must stay happy with their icy companions, fetching water from ship cans, as urban facilities are a dream far-off. Once weekly showers aboard a ship are the norm, unless stormy weather extends the interval to a fortnight.
