Greenland: Day One

Today has been super long, but absolutely awesome! This morning at five New York time (so one Arizona time) the Air National Guard picked up or group, as well as a few others going to greenland for research, from our hotel. They took us to the Air National Guard base where we waited for about two hours, which was actually ectremely entertaining because we had THE most hilarious loadmaster (Justin). The Air base in Albany is actually unique in the fact that it's the only base in the United States that flies C-130's with skis so that they can land on the ice. Or as Justin would say: "They can land on ice or water, water only once." haha. On the way fronm the lobby of the base to the C-130 the roof of our bus scraped against the garage door and broke the emergeny exit hatch on the top of the bus. Our loadmasters responded by calling it a "feel-good" exit and saying that it was about as useful as "life vests on airplanes" which was really comforting to hear right as we boarded our plane. -__- We then began our six and a half hour flight from Albany to Greenland. And let me tell you, C-130's are high-class, 5-star, luxary airplanes. They're extremely quiet and comfy and don't vibrate or shake at all. Not. Although, for the last 45 minutes I got to sit up in the cockpit and watch the landing into Greenland. Which was AMAZING. While your landing you can see the fjord which is every shade of blue and green imaginable, absolutly gorgeous. And off in the distance you can see the start of the ice caps. Once we landed we were shuttled to our dorm rooms where we had a little time to get settled. And we all went out to Thai food. Greenlandic thai food and American thai food are two very different things... but it was quite good! I've already learned a few Danish words too! See if you could guess what they are, I bet you can't! Ajorpoq, Morgenmad, Frokost, and Aftensmad. What do you think? Would you guess that Ajorpoq means out of order? Morgenmad means breakfast, Frokost means lunch, and Aftensmad means dinner? Yeah neither would I. I'll be logging more words so y'all can learn as much Danish and Greenlandic as I do! :) Anyways, I'm having a great time! (minus the mosquitos. which I'm not exageratting when I say are EVERYWHERE. every.where.)

This was our C-130, right after landing in Greenland. :)

And I got to wear the glight suit and helmet. I think I look pretty good, if I do say so myslef ;)

Anways, even though it's stll light outside, I should get some sleeo soon! More pics and updates to come!

Much love,
Sydney