The Drake Passage is considered one of the most dangerous sea routes. The notorious strait is located between Tierra del Fuego and western Antarctica. This is where two oceans meet: the Pacific and the Atlantic. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows through the strait, heralding strong winds, often gales, and even storms. Fortunately, there is also good news. Today, weather forecasts are more accurate, and communication is much easier than before. Ships are more durable, more stable, with a stronger structure. So it will be somehow.

As soon as we sailed out to the open sea, it started to rock slightly, and then it was a fight for survival. I woke up around midnight and didn’t fall asleep until morning. I was lying there peacefully, until suddenly “something” pushed me first to the right, then to the left. A mysterious invisible force pressed me into the mattress. Up and down. I was about to throw up. I closed my eyes. Surprisingly, it helped. And so it went until morning. I turned over to my right side, to my left side, I lay on my back, on my stomach, all positions tested with two variants: with a pillow under my head and with a pillow on my head. I was about to go crazy. I counted sheep, rams. I’d counted them all, so I started counting penguins. There seemed to be more of them in my head, but that didn’t help either. I looked at my watch, it was a quarter to four.

There’s nothing for me here, I won’t fall asleep anyway. I need a cup of coffee. The kitchen is not far, but the walk is quite a challenge. I try to keep my balance, but despite my incredible efforts, I keep bouncing from wall to wall. I got coffee, made myself a roll with cheese. Well, breakfast left me faster than the speed of light. Yes, I know, Professor Einstein is turning in his grave, but he wasn’t there. I know what I’m talking about. 

And that’s all I saw of food for the next two days. Reading books was also out of the question, watching movies was out of the question. What to do? What to do? All I hear is: you have to focus your eyes on one point and you’ll stop feeling sick. It sounds simple. I look out the window. As if hypnotized, I watch the large, restless water. The horizon wanders up and down, making me even more dizzy. To hell with these foolproof tips. I’m going to bed, or at least I’ll try. 

We reached the shores of Antarctica after two days. Apparently I’m getting my colors back.