Photo: Christian EideThe expedition that ended in Istanbul
Last updated: 22/10/2011 //
The Norwegian polar explorer Christian Eide completed his journey to the South Pole in 24 days, 1 hour and 13 minutes and smashed the previous record with 15 days. Istanbul Exhibition invited him to Turkey to visit “Ice Station Antarctica” and to tell about his amazing experiences. -I had no idea that my journey to the South Pole would end up here in Turkey, he said to the students during a visit to Eyüboğlu college in Istanbul Friday 21st of October.
Christian Eide together with students from Eyüboğlu college. Photo: Kardelen Color
Mr. Eide presenting his best friend on the tour; his telt.. Photo: Kardelen Color
Mr. Eide just about to start his journey. Photo: Christian Eide
“Ice Station Antarctica” describes how the scientists work in Antarctica under extremely difficult conditions, how consequences of global warming and how a polar explorer life’s is like. Collaboration between Istanbul Exhibition and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ankara made it possible for the visiting 4th and 5th grade students from Eyüboglu to meet today’s record holder Mr. Eide and the Norwegian Ambassador to Turkey, Janis Bjørn Kanavin, after their tour around the exhibition.
Endless white horizon
The students were curious about how Mr. Eide managed to carry out his journey under the extreme conditions in Antarctica and showed special interest in how it was to do it alone. -I was normally skiing 10 hours a day, and eating while I was skiing. I was so focused and inspired, so I never felt lonely during my trip, he told the children before he showed them pictures of his equipment, the nature and the endless white horizon.
100 years Anniversary
A couple of hours later, across the Bosphorus, Mr. Eide received a flag with the Eyüboglu high school logo from the nearly 600 students from 6th, 7th and 8th grade at Çamlıca campus, who had let themselves be inspired by his presentation. The students gave him the flag as a gift, so he can bring it on his next journey to the South Pole, which actually starts next weekend. When Christian Eide reached the South Pole in January 2011 he followed in the tradition of another famous Norwegian; Roald Amundsen. 100 years ago Amundsen was the first man to reach the South Pole. The 14th of December 2011 Mr. Eide will participate in the 100 year Anniversary at the South Pole, which is the goal for the upcoming expedition. - As far as I know, no Turkish citizen has been crossing Greenland or reaching the South Pole yet, he commented. It seems clear that Mr. Eide motivated a lot of students though his preparations, but who becomes the first Turkish polar explorer remains to be seen.