Made it across the Atlantic! This is just the first leg of the journey to reach the ship, but as the plane accelerated toward lift-off, I felt my shoulders go down and I realized I had a big smile on my face. There has been so much planning, preparation, and anticipation, that I think I just stopped for a second to relax and think more about how super cool it is to be going on a research vessel with people trying to understand the Earth. I remember those adventure movies where you follow the adventurer along a red line on a map towards the X-marks-the-spot, and I think I spent a third of the overnight flight watching the little plane on the screen on the back of the seat in front of me make its way around the world. (The other two-thirds of the flight were sleeping, trying to learn camera equipment, and watching Ghostbusters.)
Then I got to customs in Oslo, and I actually made the customs guy smile telling him what I was here to do! (I’ve traveled a lot, and they never seem to smile or say more than necessary.) Here’s how the conversation went:
What are your plans in Norway?
Going to Kirkenes on business.
What are you doing there?
Going on a ship on a climate research expedition.
Where are you headed from there?
Just the Arctic ocean.
So, no other stops?
No, just the ocean.
Oh, ok. That’s so cool, wow, good luck!
Tomorrow I’m on my way to Kirkenes (the tippy-top of Norway, almost to Russia), to meet up with everyone, and get ready to get on the boat!
How wonderful Lindsay! You don’t even sound tired…Keep us posted. I’m checking every day. Good Luck!
Sonia
Thanks Sonia! I think I’m just on pure adrenaline now!