"Going to Antarctica has been a long-term goal. It's something that I fell in love with as a child. And I remember my high school teacher telling me that Antarctica and music were not very compatible career goals, so I should probably try and pick one and stick with that instead. And music was my passion, so I picked music. But it's a dream I didn't give up on."
"The internet is not always reliable down there, but Natalie was able to speak with us using a good old landline. PAINE: When I finally got to Antarctica and I got off the plane, I just could not believe - I just took a second to look around and see the mountains and the ice. And I was carrying my little French horn with me (laughter), and I had to put my hands up in the air, like, yes, I've finally made it (laughter)."
Natalie Paine served as a communications operator at Scott Base in Antarctica after years of playing in the Royal New Zealand Navy band and multiple applications for the posting. She brought her French horn to the remote station and described profound awe at the mountains, ice and the sense of vastness. Harsh cold and unreliable internet required practical adaptations, including using a landline for contact. Paine recalled being told Antarctica and music were incompatible yet pursued both careers, ultimately fulfilling a childhood dream and continuing musical practice amid challenging environmental and logistical conditions.
Read at www.npr.org
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