December 27, 2006, yes, it really was 11:30 A.M.!
On Thule Air Base's Runway
Thule Air Base, Qaanaaq, Greenland
How cold? Well, when both your nostrils stick together, it usually is a good indication that the temperature must be below -15F.
We just landed on a sheet of ice. Hopefully, it
won't break like the sheet of ice did when I landed on one as a youngster
with my bicycle! A quick glance outside confirms my prediction: there is
nothing green about Greenland. Not only is the ground completely covered
with snow and ice, but there is no vegetation at all (the strangest metal
structure stood for a Christmas tree), and judging by all the cars with
a running engine, Greenland was definitely not green environmentally speaking
either. As soon as I stepped out of the airplane though, I realized
quite fast that the cars had better be running at all times or else
be plugged in because it was freezing cold out. How cold? Well, when
both your nostrils stick together, it usually is a good indication that the
temperature must be below -15F. Funny enough, it still wasn't as cold as
I expected. It just felt like a very cold day back in Montreal, which is,
by the way, much more South than Qaanaaq. Still, nothing will ever beat this
visit to the North Pole during Christmas time. No, I did not get to see Santa,
but I certainly got to see an Artic hare and the whole base (which by the
way, is quite small and well..rather ugly. Picture white trailers parked
here and there). Next time, I am hoping to see a polar bear
since I've been told they tend to hang around base and hopefully, it will
be during the summer. Travelling to Greenland in the wintertime is...slightly
confusing. You'd expect the sun the be around but is never is, not
even at 11:30 in the morning!
December 27, 2006
In front of Thule Air Base's Christmas Tree
Thule Air Base, Qaanaaq, Greenland
If you intend to visit Greenland and want to take pictures, a sweet reminder: Do not breathe. Not that you will be able to through the nose anyway, but if you breathe through the mouth, you won't see your face in the pictures: too much condensation! :)
December 27, 2006
In front of Thule Air Base's Christmas Tree
Thule Air Base, Qaanaaq, Greenland
|
|
| Typical Greenlandic building...on
base. |
Check that latitude out guys!
|
If you intend to visit Greenland and want to take pictures, a sweet reminder: Do not breathe. Not that you will be able to through the nose anyway, but if you breathe through the mouth, you won't see your face in the pictures: too much condensation! :)