It is a mandatory procedure to be followed in order to be allowed to live permanently at Villas Las Estrellas of Chile in Antarctica. It applies to all old, young, girls, boys, big and small, without exception.
Don’t panic! The internal organs here are just… the appendix.
Even if it is just “excess”, the appendix is still a part of the internal organs. Normally, it doesn’t do any harm, but once it gets infected, it’s very annoying. In addition to causing excruciating pain, it also has the potential to cause death if not removed surgically in time.
Village in the middle of Antarctic ice
Welcome to Villas Las Estrellas! If you’re just a visitor, you don’t need to have your appendix removed before visiting. But if you want to stay long, there is no other way.
Villas Las Estrellas is located deep in the frozen Antarctic. The nearest hospital is also 1,000km away. If you’re still healing and you get appendicitis, you’re dead!
Appendicitis here, you’re dead.
In fact, the people of Villas Las Estrellas are only scientists and personnel serving in the Chilean air force or navy. Because they do not want to leave their families, some people bring their wives and children in.
The same facilities as other places
In fact, Villas Las Estrellas has only about 100 residents. However, it still has a post office, a school, a bank and some basic infrastructure needed to support life. Everything is small, of course.
Climb aboard a Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport plane and you will be transported to Villas Las Estrellas. Antarctica’s climate is very bad, with not only blizzards but also hail. If you are unlucky, you will be beaten by hail.
The welcome sign to the small village in the Antarctic Circle is an arrow sign. Each sign has the name of a city and the number of kilometers of distance.
Pregnancy is not recommended
The outside of Villas Las Estrellas always smells of chemicals and sewage, but inside it is quite warm and pleasant.
The average annual temperature here is about -2.3 degrees Celsius. In winter, it can drop to -47 degrees Celsius.
For those who bring their spouses to live with, this one-of-a-kind village discourages pregnant wives. The reason why is clear, because pregnancy and childbirth in the bad weather conditions of Antarctica is extremely dangerous.
Difficult but also many interesting things
Life in the village in the middle of Antarctica is harsh but also very interesting. If you can’t go out, you just need to stay at home with a blanket, play games or watch movies, read online newspapers…
Have fun with the penguins.
Antarctic penguins, having never been hunted by humans, still waddling around. If you want to play with them, just get close. And if you want to pray, Villas Las Estrellas also has a small, beautiful church.
Every time you need to go, you have a car or pontoon boat, even a military helicopter to take you. And the most special thing is, you will not be able to experience the unique life in this place anywhere else on Earth. Is that enough for you to find it attractive!