I arrived safely back on Svalbard last Friday (13th), but really haven't had much free time (hence my neglected blog!). That said, I'm so happy to be back!
Where to start then ... ? Well, I somehow managed to get all my bags and clothing stuffed with overweight items onto the plane. At Oslo aiport, I spotted a few people with fancy outdoor equipment (who would become my new class mates). Flying over Svalbard wasn't very spectacular though as it was completely covered with mist and clouds.
First sightings of Svalbard (South Cape)
The summer heat at home was killing me! This is much better :)
Before leaving Svalbard last time, I can remember telling myself that it wasn't goodbye and that I would be back soon. I wasn't trying to find a way to re-create what had already been an amazing experience, but instead put my life on hold for one year (while I finished my degree) and would resume my Svalbard life later. And that's how it really feels. It's as if I had never left the island.
Anyways, at the weekend it started snowing, and there was a good couple of centimetres of snow on the ground and mountains. A few days on and most of it has melted away, but it was quite surprising to get so much snow so early in the season.
I am once again living in student halls with my fellow class-mates. So far everyone seems nice. 90% of my class is Nowegian, and the others speak Norwegian so I seem to truly be the only foreign student but oh well. I'm trying to learn some of the language, but most of our activities and class work are in English anyway.
Although we are strictly speaking not UNIS students, we still took the UNIS safety course which was lots of fun. Once again, back at the rifle range and lots of theoretical and practical knowledge about the harsh Arctic climate, first aid, emergency camps etc. As ANG students, we will be getting a lots more practice in these fields over the coming months.
Back at the rifle range ^^
Next week I will be heading out onto the Nordenskjoldbreen for 10 days of glacier training and crevasse rescue. All very exciting. And then we'll be learning about how to handle zodiac boats at sea and operate them by ourselves for a few days. So yeah right now not much to say as I settle back into Arctic life, but photos and stories from my upcoming trip will come ! :)
posted by Yann Rashid on 22:10
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