{"id":18467,"date":"2020-12-25T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?p=18467"},"modified":"2020-12-24T13:33:47","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T18:33:47","slug":"manuel-and-the-hoochy-coochy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?p=18467","title":{"rendered":"Manuel and the Hoochy Coochy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Christmas in Antarctica originally posted by Linda Lou Burton December 25, 2005\u00a0 from Hannah Point, \"\"<\/a>Livingston Island, Antarctica<\/em> – Christmas Day! We wake up at Hannah Point, known as the \u201cjewel in the crown\u201d of the Antarctic for its diversity of species and glorious scenery. Named for the Hannah, a sealing vessel, it is home to three species of penguins — Gentoo with their striking orange beaks, Chinstrap with a “strap” of black feathers under their chin, and Macaroni with their yellow rock-star hairdo.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The clouds have moved in today, the temperature has dropped to 33 F, and, to the delight of many who have never had a White Christmas, it is snowing! A light snow, faintly blowing across the deck, but snow, nonetheless.<\/p>\n

For certain, I will enjoy the delights of Antarctica from the warmth of the Torghatten Salong today, sitting in a comfy chair with cameras occasionally recording the magnificent view.<\/p>\n

And, writing. There is a contest! Manuel Marin has challenged us. Manual is part of our lecture\/teaching staff, an Ornithologist from Chile (PhD from LSU!), a researcher of neotropical birds. So far, his lectures have included: Cormorants, the Untold Story; Penguins, Those from the other side; Penguins, The brush-tailed, Life and Death Part 1; Penguins, The brush-tailed, Life and Death Part 2.<\/em> Manuel knows penguins. His lectures are \"\"<\/a>entertaining: he passes around penguin parts for us to see (see the foot, they are very sharp!)<\/em>; he giggles as he shows us slides of penguins mating (ooo, Triple X, ladies cover your eyes!<\/em>). \u201cPebbles are like diamonds,<\/em>\u201d he explains, describing a penguin nest. \u201cThe male offers a pebble to a female during the courtship ritual. These are of utmost value! Better than chocolates! Better than Chanel #55! So good!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Without the pebbles, there is little protection for the egg. A pile of pebbles makes for good drainage too. An egg left sitting on bare ground is more likely to freeze, or crack. \u201cYou think it is OK to take one pebble home?<\/em>\u201d Manuel asks us, looking stern, searching for a guilty face. \u201cYou think one pebble will not matter?<\/em>\u201d A pause. \u201cTwenty-four thousand visitors came to Antarctica last year. If each person took ONE PEBBLE, what would happen to the beach! What would happen to the penguins! Do not take the pebbles! Do not pick up the feathers! If you promised this to your grandchild, instead, tell your grandchild how you helped a penguin to have life! You saved the egg!<\/em>\u201d\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Manuel paced around the room. Did he make his point? Still, Manuel wants us to think more. To understand the penguin. So, now there is a contest. All around the ship he posted signs, in English and in German.<\/p>\n

Contest!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prizes for drawing, sculpture, poem about birds!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deadline December 28!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pamela has been working on a cross-stitch penguin piece, sitting in her favorite chair each \"\"<\/a>day near the cakes and tea, beside the \u201ccleanest window,\u201d she reports. Doug sits near there too, his watercolors spread on the tabletop, brushing daily memories onto paper. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll have a beautiful bird to submit.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t sew, or paint. But I like to write. Especially humorous takeoffs on the Night Before Christmas<\/em>, at least, at Christmas time. Hmmmm, I\u2019m thinking, as I see the penguins walking, far away, along the beach. In my mind I see the little Adelie penguin who passed me by the day before, hobbling and hopping over the rocks, her tiny wings an afterthought by her creator? Penguins. They can swim, but they can\u2019t fly. What might a penguin wish for? I began to scribble, on a yellow pad\u2026<\/p>\n