A day in the life of a scientist...

I don't think you could describe the day in a life of a scientist as hum drum or
'normal' and it's maybe not as exciting as jumping out of a plane 

but it's definitely not 9-5! So more specifically we'll run through the day 

in the life of a Marine Biologist on assignment in Dahab, Egypt on the 

Red Sea, that does'nt sound too regular does it?

Nothing's set in stone in terms of daily schedules. As is with life, things
can change right at the last minute but starting off with a two tier schedule
seems a balanced way to get things moving in the morning.  The start times
will rotate so that no one will be up too early everyday.

So getting up half an hour before either a 6 or 8am start is just enough
time to get ready and be in the water bang on the hour.  Sorry but no
time for breakfast! Well, maybe a cheeky wee cake snack (a 'Todo')
and some essential water.  You have to allow 10-15 mins to change into
your wetsuit/swimming gear, check off and pack into the 4x4 what
you'll need for the morning's data collection.  Watch, check.  Slate,
check. GPS tracker, check. Reel, measuring tape, quadrat, check...
and of course, more water!

A quick and bumpy 5-10 min ride hanging out the back of the 4x4 later
and you're unloading at the dive site. We have to mention the awesome
view on the way of the vast, gigantic mountain range surrounding the
Dahab area!  Without wasting any time we're quickly into the water and
under we go!  A round trip of approximately 45 dive/snorkel
time taking in views of immense reef walls, a Barracuda and a few million
tiny fish in a shoal undulating in perfect synchronicity, and that's just the
morning dive!

Back to the accomodation, a quick shower and onto a hearty breakfast
of omelette or pancakes and every scientists neccessity, coffee!
Getting the data loagged as soon as possible is also essential so that any
shared equipment can be ready for the second group heading out soon
after our return. With possibly a small power nap in between it's back
to the lab for processing data or photos recorded that morning. Logging
and organising these is essential for accurate and consistent science.

After working up an appetite from a good 3+ hours of lab work we have
lunch in the form of a few deli-style rolls from the local supermarket or a
hearty falafel from the aptly named 'Yum Yum' restaurant close by.  With
the obligatory 30 min wait for digestion for safety before swimming we
jump back into the truck to head back to the dive site for further data
collection.  Alternatively we may be scheduled to go to a second site for
 a slightly different study.

Returning from the last dive of the day you may find yourself a little tired
from fighting the currents trying to push you off course but you always
seem to be invigorated by the lush abundance of life surrounding you as
you drift through the water.

Putting in a couple of hours at the lab in the afternoon including updating
the social network relative to the expedition wraps up (most of!)
the days work nicely!  As part of an essential area of our study, on a
nightly basis we will carry out parasite work on some of the fish we
are studying on the lab. With a quick freshen up and de-brief/brief for
the following day, we head out to dinner with a pleasant walk through
the bustling market-style main streets of Dahab to our choice of
restaurant which all deliver on taste and quantity!

So don't take my word for it, if possible get out there and find one of the
many expeditions that are looking for volunteers and don't hesitate when
you find one that looks like something you have always wanted to do.