KISS

I made it thought the entire C130 flight without getting sick. We were very lucky because of a strong tail wind we had enough fuel to fly directly to Kangerlussuaq. This was a very good thing because if we had landed twice my first sentence would no longer be true.

I woke up at 4:00 am this morning. I heaved my bags out to the minivan taxis and loaded up for a 10 minute drive to the 109th air national guard base. After showing my passport and getting weighted, it was still per 5:00 am. We sat in a room and watched CNN. The typical military hurry up and wait. We were briefed and watched a short safety video on EPOS. Some hood that supplies oxygen and makes you look like a space man. Then at about 7:00 am we got on buses. We loaded onto the C130 and took off at 8:00 am. I have no idea what anything looked like because there are no windows when you are cargo. I was riding with 30 other scientists. At first we all had our coats on. Then the heater kicked on. Here is the irony, during my entire flight to Greenland I thought I was going to die of heat exhaustion. The seats were fine and I was not too uncomfortable because I am small. I moved around a few times and got to go up to the flight deck. We were in the clouds so the view was not spectacular. It was cool to see all the instruments on the plane.

At about 1:15 pm (still New York time) they announced we were landing. I was feeling great. No motion sickness even with no windows. Then the decent started. According to my stomach I think we barrel rolled about 10 times. There certainly was a quick decent and then we landed. I got out at a typical air strip to have my ID checked and stamped. Are bags came off in pallets. Now I am at KISS (Kangerlussuaq International Science Station. It was an old barracks. Shelley and I are sharing a room. Tomorrow Shelley will head to Summit and I to Swiss Camp. I have meet the other four people headed to Swiss Camp and they all seem nice.

I am headed out for a walk to try and find a Musk Ox. Tonight we are having Musk Ox Pizza. I am not kidding. Haven’t yet decided it I will try it or not.

Excited to be in Greenland. There is a little patchy seasonal snow on the ground. It is 60 degrees, very warm. So far I have been overly hot and over dress. Haven’t actually seen the ice sheet yet.

Later…. Walked around a bit. It is getting cooler. It will be light until midnight. I accidentally ate Musk Ox from the Veggie Pizza. Also had pizza with pineapple, shrimp and other random fish.