Ordering Condoms by the Thousands ?!?!

The researchers et al at McMurdo Base in Antarctica are the exceptionally delighted recipients of not only 16 boxes, or even 16 dozen boxes - try, 16,500 colorful little (depends who you ask!)  joy enhancing condoms!

Antarctica is almost ready to usher in the all too familiar shroud of winter darkness and Bill Henriksen, the manager of McMurdo Base was clearly ensuring that he and the 'boys,' weren't going to 'miss out' on one of their base 'needs.'

Of course, women have those 'needs' also, but I'm not sure that their particular needs exceed or even come close to using 16,500 of the pregnancy-preventing prophylactics.  Surely they must know how to have fun in other ways, other than ... bouncing on the bed.  But then boys will be boys.  ;)

The curiosity for me, is that according to Reuters, McMurdo consists of 125 scientists and staff and

Excuse me?  How many condoms would they go through with a full staff on board? 30,000?

Using a little math, 125 people equals 132 condoms per person, or 16,500 divided by 63 equals 264 condoms per couple.  You can tell the manager of McMurdo Base is a man, women would think more about spending research grants .. ohhh on something like silly .. such as enhanced scientific equipment, or even extra blankets.

The mind just boggles.

Am I sexist?  No - just factual.  ;)

Bill Henrikson told the Southland Times newspaper,
This is their reasoning for providing 16,500 condoms free, so the skeleton staff of researchers at McMurdo will not have to go to the shop and buy them.  Someone should tell them about older teenagers who have been doing it for years!

Stand-up comedians are going to have a field day with this story when they find out.

Antarctica is home to the Aurora Australis or southern polar lights, the spectacular counterpart to the Aurora Borealis which is so often seen in Alaska and elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. 

The sunrises too, are breathtaking, however the people at McMurdo Base won't be seeing one for a very long time, not untill August 20 - by then I'll be surprised if the scientists can even walk.  ;)

Sources:

Wikipedia
Candidates/South Pole
Written by Bill Henriksen

Reuters
Antarctica Base Gets 16,500 Condoms Before Darkness
By Kazurnori Takada

Images:

Reuters
Antarctica Base Gets 16,500 Condoms Before Darkness

MikeDaub.com
Antarctica
by Mike Daub

ABC News
Free Condoms to U.S. Base in Antarctica
Getty Images

Aurora Images

Wikipedia
Aurora Australis
by Paul Moss
Public Domain