21 November

So now we get into the launch window routine.  We head up to KHO at 6:00.  Cameras are set up and tested and then we wait.  Hoping for clear skies at one of the ground sites, calm enough winds for the plane to take off, and calm enough winds at the launch site.

Waiting for the Hagglund Taxi to take us back down the mountain.

It occurred to me, as I was outside with the camera boxes, that it's probably handy for polar bears that I wear a red light on my forehead.

It was pretty cold and windy when we arrived, lots of deep drifts on the road coming up.  Now, the winds have died a bit and it's warming up.  I believe now there is rain in the forecast.  We've seen everything EXCEPT clear skies.  

Meanwhile, Lamar arrives this afternoon and there's a reindeer party in the planning.  Shigeto-san visited Kiruna, Sweden, on his way here and brought some smoked reindeer.  We look forward to sampling it!  Hope it wasn't Rudolph, because there will be a lot of unhappy children this Christmas.  The last time I had Kiruna reindeer meat was in 1986, right after Chernobyl, when they were warning you not to eat reindeer.  We figured one steak wouldn't kill us :)

Moving day!  With Miguel arriving next week, I needed the room with a slightly bigger bed.  It also has a view of the UNIS building.  Nice!  It only took me about 10 minutes to completely move.  Any change is always exciting :)

Lamar seems impressed with the number of stores here, versus Andenes.  Of course, the prices are also lower, since there is less tax.

Off to sample some reindeer!

Wow!  It was a feast!

There were shrimp, sausage, cheeses, smoked reindeer and dried reindeer, beer and wine.  Followed by clementines and ice cream.  How Yoko managed all this in that tiny kitchen is beyond me.  Everything was so delicious.  Our help, cleaning up, was to bring our glass, plate, and fork back with us.  Now THAT'S a deal!