Home again

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I suspect that by the time I get this blog updated, I will be back in the USA! I can’t believe how difficult it is to find reliable, and affordable, internet service. I have not seen anything close to free internet anywhere. In Greenland I was spending close to $60 for three hours of internet service. Last night at the Hilton in Copenhagen they wanted 60 cents per minute. I thought, OK, I’ll do it, but my credit card wouldn’t work. I finally begged the guy at the front desk to let me use a computer for a few minutes so I could find out what is going on. I had an email from my bank indicating that there has been “unusual use” of my credit card and they were freezing it until I talk to them. I suspect that seeing charges pop up in Greenland got somebody’s attention, so when I get home it will take a call to Chase to sort it out.

So, let me bring you up to date. I spent all day on Monday traveling from Ilulissat to Copenhagen. A fairly early morning flight out of Ilulissat and some spectacular images of the icecap (that I can hopefully attach to this posting!). Unfortunately, had a four hour wait in Kangerlussuaq and the flight to Copenhagen was almost two hours late. This meant I didn’t arrive at the hotel until midnight. Not bad given that it was only 8pm by the old body clock (four hour difference between Greenland Denmark) and falling asleep was difficult. So, here I sit in the Copenhagen airport after four hours sleep, waiting to start my journey home. First to Frankfurt, then on to SFO and MFR scheduled to arrive at 9pm tonight.

When I checked in this morning, I was told that it was a good thing I was getting out in the morning because they are expected a big snow storm later in the day with up to a foot of snow.

I can’t complain about the travel so far…no cancellations…just minor delays. Considering it is winter here, and according to one story I heard yesterday while killing time in Kangerlussuaq talking to an American from Santa Fe, winter storms can strand you big time. For example, she was stranded in east Greenland last December for 10 days! No flights in or out. So, a two hour delay kind of put is in perspective.

If I continue to work in Greenland, I am going to have to travel lighter. There are stiff excess baggage penalties. I needed to check my small second carry on bag full of books and teaching materials. It weighed less that 10 pounds and I was charged $170! I am going to send the bill to the University of Greenland to cover the cost of shipping teaching materials, but I couldn’t believe it.

This is perhaps the longest period of time (2 weeks) that I have traveled without access to other folks for whom English is the first language since I traveled in Europe in 1980. It is interesting to reflect on what is like to be a language minority. Nothing is easy. Greenlandic is completely inaccessible to me and I can only make out a few words in Danish. I really might have to spend some time with Rosetta Stone for Danish!

I have just arrived in San Francisco after the 11 hour flight from Frankfurt and now have to wait 3 hours for the final leg to Medford, due in at 9:15pm. Can't wait.

I have included in this blog a little video I shot yesterday on the way from Ilulissat to Kangerlussuaq and you can see where the polar ice caps starts...nothing but ice for as far as the eye can see. Amazing.

When I get a chance I'll make a final post with photos and videos.

Almost home again!

Geoff