As other people have posted, a defining fact of our lives right now is that my computer clock says 6:45 AM and my wristwatch says 9:47 PM (who even knows where those extra two minutes went). Everything has been sort of surreal due to countless hours of flying and sleep deprivation sandwiched around brief moments of exploring two very different parts of Russia. At this point, I view our two remaining time zones to Cherskiy as highly insignificant compared to the fifteen I’ve already come.

Today found us in Yakutsk (yes, as in the Risk territory) where we visited a permafrost station/museum. We escaped the surprising Siberian heat aboveground with a very refreshing tour belowground. For the first time I got to feel Russian in a very large coat with an oversized fur collar. Other than our variety of tourist activities, I have been thinking a lot about the science that is to come. Although I have not pinpointed a project, I know that whatever I end up doing will be interesting. The hard part is narrowing it down given the wide variety of possibilities and interests of the other students and PIs. It is a little intimidating although hopefully in the days to come I will be able to focus in on one thing. I look forward to getting to the station tomorrow to see what it is actually like. Alright, time for bed so I can wake up bright and early for our plane tomorrow.