So the past few days have been spent getting together all of the unfamiliar equipment I’ve acquired this summer and trying to fit them into one duffel bag. Unsuccessfully. But what has been really enjoyable has been responding to the question “What are you up to this summer?” I think that going to Siberia is the last response anyone I’ve spoken to has expected to hear. It’s also been fun watching people’s reaction when I tell them that I’m off to a gulag. …which isn’t really funny.. since I have read that those in the Kolyma area had one of the most brutal of all camp complexes. Anyway it should be interesting to experience a place that has such a strong stigma like Siberia and to see what it is actually like. I’m very curious to see how different it is from the geographical and cultural vision I have in my mind, and to see what the other students/scientists think as well. Looking forward to meeting everyone involved in the Project and to begin this adventure!