Best wishes from Canada! My frist impression: it's flat. Second: there are lakes everywhere (what you can see from the sky). Third: it was supposed to be cold. Wearing my 3 jackets, I feel like put into a stove.
This evening we had to do some last shopping before we leave for the region where a can of cola is an approximate cost of 5 Canadian dollars. Quite a lot of fun, 6 Young Explorers and almost the whole Team running around the supermarket, buying food for the next 3 weeks! We also had an organisation meeting, explained our expectations, needs. I'm sure that the best adventure of my life is just about to begin!
I also had a chance to talk to a man living in Resolute, Nunavut. He's American, but has a deep understanding of the local culture, as his family are now Inuit. He tought me a lot about approaching the aboriginal people, their customs, faux-pas and how to make a good first impression. First lesson during this expedition.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The dream comes true tomorrow.
So I'm sitting in front of the computer again. It's Saturday evening and I can't really describe my feelings. Excited, nervous, super-happy? My luggage is ready, now I count on the kindness of people working at the airport. After all, two pieces of hand-baggage (60 and 30l backpacks) aren't allowed on board of Lufthansa, but we'll see. I don't think I took anything out of ordinary (let's skipp the fact that an expedition to the Arctic is out of ordinary itself!), some Polish sweets, 12 day packs full of dried fruits and chocolate, 5 jackets, rubber boots... and it's all in a sports bag. No hard suitcases, unless you want it to be thrown overboard!
Minutes are passing and I don't know what to write. I'll better go to sleep and take some rest before the greatest adventure of my life. Tomorrow's news will be more exciting, I promise!
Minutes are passing and I don't know what to write. I'll better go to sleep and take some rest before the greatest adventure of my life. Tomorrow's news will be more exciting, I promise!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
How did I prepare for Nunavut?
Eternally dirty shoes, Mike Horn's T-shirt, Selection Camp playlist, my dog - and I can start running. Morning exercices advised by Luke consist of jogging or cycling and strenght training, more and more intense every week. I also go swimming, as in my opinion there's no other sport engaging all the muscles and so pleasant at once. As far as I know, the others go climbing, hiking, cycling. Well, I found another sport, more exhaustive and painful than anything else: shopping.
Althought most of the Expedition gear was sponsored (getting an enormous package with all the pretty clothes and high quality equipment was simply awesome: I was running around the house, trying on every jacket, pair of trousers, even socks for about an hour :); thank you!), there were some last things we needed to buy on our own. I tried to prepare for this challege: I made a list of things that I wanted to buy and shops where it seemed possible to get them, but when I was already facing the task everything turned out to be useless... After 5 hours spent in various sport centres and other stores I felt completely drained from strength and a few more items reminded on the list.
Althought most of the Expedition gear was sponsored (getting an enormous package with all the pretty clothes and high quality equipment was simply awesome: I was running around the house, trying on every jacket, pair of trousers, even socks for about an hour :); thank you!), there were some last things we needed to buy on our own. I tried to prepare for this challege: I made a list of things that I wanted to buy and shops where it seemed possible to get them, but when I was already facing the task everything turned out to be useless... After 5 hours spent in various sport centres and other stores I felt completely drained from strength and a few more items reminded on the list.
picture by Simon Straetker, taken during the Reunion meeting of Young Explorers in Chateau d'Oex (July 2011). Please visit: www.mikehorn.com to learn more!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
10 best days of my life - summary
I woke up last morning in my own bed, the sun was coming through a window without curtains, there were no towels hanging on the chair, no stinking sport shoes all over the room, no Ricarda laying in her bed just next to mine, no Terresa running around, looking for her stuff, no annoying sound of Anna's alarm clock... the dream has ended.
It's been three days since we left Chateau D'Oex and it feels... different. The last days spent in this amazing place were the best of my life. I have never learned so much in such a short period of time, learned about the environment, about people and about myself. Dr Roswitha and Mike shared with us their priceless knowledge derived from years of studies and experience. Some things, we could experience on our own. Luke was the one to raise team spirit on the edge of exhaustion (Secretive Saturdays...), Martin showed us how people behave in extreme situations. Caroline... well, she was ALWAYS THERE, always when needed. Moose and Javier were following our each step with their cameras (I miss all these flashes!). I'm mad at Andy - I thought we agreed on not taking pictures of people while they're eating (just kidding!)! Michael taught us how passion can open the doors to your dreams. Older Young Explorers (love you guys!) who came to our Camp proved that you CAN make a difference even when you're a normal teenager. And Debbie, who prepared the best meal ever: sandwiches with ham and butter on the second day of the raid! There are even more and more people I should mention here, but to all of them I just want to simply say: THANK YOU.
So what did I learn about life? The most important lesson would probably be: believe in yourself, the more daring your dreams are, the more you will achieve. With at least 15 people to support my every idea, I felt self-confident and stronger. Together, we can do much, much more. Another is to always do your best. Give the most of what you have, don't let yourself regret it afterwards. Don't disappoint people who count on you. And rely on them, because they are there to help you. Learn, share, act! And something personal: never stop smiling, remember that the surrounding world is beautiful and life is just a wonder. Singing is a way to show happiness - keep that in mind!
It might seem I have forgotten about my 15 best friends, but I haven't. I could never forget YOU! Thank you for every minute of time spent together. Thank you for your involvement and contribution to every task we had to deal with. Thank you for your optimism, warm smiles, consolation when it was needed. Thank you for being people who you are.
The dream has not ended yet. In fact, it's just the beginning. We were all given a powerful tool and have something to pay back. We better start today.
my absolutely favourite picture, taken probably by Ansgar Fellendorf just before the Pangaea Raid :)
It's been three days since we left Chateau D'Oex and it feels... different. The last days spent in this amazing place were the best of my life. I have never learned so much in such a short period of time, learned about the environment, about people and about myself. Dr Roswitha and Mike shared with us their priceless knowledge derived from years of studies and experience. Some things, we could experience on our own. Luke was the one to raise team spirit on the edge of exhaustion (Secretive Saturdays...), Martin showed us how people behave in extreme situations. Caroline... well, she was ALWAYS THERE, always when needed. Moose and Javier were following our each step with their cameras (I miss all these flashes!). I'm mad at Andy - I thought we agreed on not taking pictures of people while they're eating (just kidding!)! Michael taught us how passion can open the doors to your dreams. Older Young Explorers (love you guys!) who came to our Camp proved that you CAN make a difference even when you're a normal teenager. And Debbie, who prepared the best meal ever: sandwiches with ham and butter on the second day of the raid! There are even more and more people I should mention here, but to all of them I just want to simply say: THANK YOU.
So what did I learn about life? The most important lesson would probably be: believe in yourself, the more daring your dreams are, the more you will achieve. With at least 15 people to support my every idea, I felt self-confident and stronger. Together, we can do much, much more. Another is to always do your best. Give the most of what you have, don't let yourself regret it afterwards. Don't disappoint people who count on you. And rely on them, because they are there to help you. Learn, share, act! And something personal: never stop smiling, remember that the surrounding world is beautiful and life is just a wonder. Singing is a way to show happiness - keep that in mind!
It might seem I have forgotten about my 15 best friends, but I haven't. I could never forget YOU! Thank you for every minute of time spent together. Thank you for your involvement and contribution to every task we had to deal with. Thank you for your optimism, warm smiles, consolation when it was needed. Thank you for being people who you are.
The dream has not ended yet. In fact, it's just the beginning. We were all given a powerful tool and have something to pay back. We better start today.
9th Selection Camp - Day 8&9
'Steve Fenton Wells, age of the speed limit, seen here cruising Cadallac style, taking everything that the scenery had to offer!' Martin kept on shouting the whole way long during our first mountain biking morning exercises. The next day, I tried to remember the whole sentence by heart but Martin didn't go with us cycling. Too bad... :)
Yesterday, I met one of the most wise people ever - dr. Roswitha Stolz. We had a lecture (more like a discussion) on problems that the environment is facing. She was the first person to explain to me why exactly is the Arctic region hit the most by Global Warming, why did the Americans paint rocks next to one of their glaciers, how much do we affect our Planet and why should we be concerned about the Climate Change. I felt so impressed by her knowledge, and she was speaking in a such interesting way! The lucky selected ones will carry out some research with her during the Expedition to Nunavut and enrich an information base on the ecosystem of this part of Canada. We tried some simple research methods and even estimated the fragility of one of the tools. So cool it was!
In the evening, we had a lot of fun, we were laughing all the time, watching our own videos created during the camp (theme: sustainability) and some older ones ('Where I am? It's not my time!' 'You died, you didn't recycle!'). The Moose kuts were an icing on the cake and so after we could just go to sleep, which was pretty difficult as they proclaimed teams for today's raid!
Yesterday some of the elders Young Explorers left Chateau d'Oex. I just wanted to thank you guys for coming, getting to know you was a real honor, thank you for the inspiration you are and all the tips we got. I hope to meet you again!
But for today, wish us all good luck! We are going to have FUUUUUUUN!
pictures are private propriety of Pangaea YEP
Yesterday, I met one of the most wise people ever - dr. Roswitha Stolz. We had a lecture (more like a discussion) on problems that the environment is facing. She was the first person to explain to me why exactly is the Arctic region hit the most by Global Warming, why did the Americans paint rocks next to one of their glaciers, how much do we affect our Planet and why should we be concerned about the Climate Change. I felt so impressed by her knowledge, and she was speaking in a such interesting way! The lucky selected ones will carry out some research with her during the Expedition to Nunavut and enrich an information base on the ecosystem of this part of Canada. We tried some simple research methods and even estimated the fragility of one of the tools. So cool it was!
In the evening, we had a lot of fun, we were laughing all the time, watching our own videos created during the camp (theme: sustainability) and some older ones ('Where I am? It's not my time!' 'You died, you didn't recycle!'). The Moose kuts were an icing on the cake and so after we could just go to sleep, which was pretty difficult as they proclaimed teams for today's raid!
Yesterday some of the elders Young Explorers left Chateau d'Oex. I just wanted to thank you guys for coming, getting to know you was a real honor, thank you for the inspiration you are and all the tips we got. I hope to meet you again!
But for today, wish us all good luck! We are going to have FUUUUUUUN!
9th Selection Camp - Days 6&7
Sorry for last days of silence, we had so much to do! I appreciate every activity and try to fully devote my leisure time to preparations for various lectures or workshops, so yesterday just couldn't update you :) Anyway, thanks a lot for your support, it means a lot to us!
Since Thursday we have some older Young Explorers in the Expedition Center. Some of them (all of them) I knew from the community website and believe me, to meet these inspiring people was a great experience, I just hope they will stay a bit longer than predicted :) In fact, we share only evenings, as our days are full of activities. We have already tried climbing and standup paddle boarding - a lot of fun! The important thing about paddle boards is perspective: body position is more natural than in a kayak and obviously we can see much more, wider, further than in a kayak. First few meters are a torture, keeping balance is important, but after another fall into the water you don't really care any longer and just enjoy the experience.
As I previously wrote, we learn new stuff everyday. Eventually we had a chance to meet THE MAN and he keeps on teaching us as well. This evening we had a chance to present our project proposals (possible projects to be executed during the Expedition to Nunavut) and automatically we got some feedback on our ideas. Every group has prepared something exceptional, different, I thought our ideas would rather be similar and got surprised! Positively surprised!
I won't go to bed now, it's a waste of time here in Chateau d'Oex, I better join the others in our common room. Good night! Just keep in mind one more thing and it's that Saturdays are here secretive...
pictures by Andreas Knausenberger for Pangaea YEP
9th Selection Camp - Day 5
I don't really believe it has already been 5 days and I don't really believe it has been just 5 day in the same time. We have a really full schedule and enjoy every activity more than another. Being here gives a wonderful feeling of fulfilling your dreams but these dreams are not only hundreds of extreme sports or fantastic food (now you're getting to know more and more about me :)) and this is what I perfectly understood yesterday. This adventure does not finish the moment you leave Chateau d'Oex, this should be just a beginning of a new chapter.
To pay the credit of trust means to follow the same goal that the Team is following: to preserve what belongs to every inhabitant of our Planet, the Planet itself.
picture by Andreas Knausenberger for Pangaea YEP
To pay the credit of trust means to follow the same goal that the Team is following: to preserve what belongs to every inhabitant of our Planet, the Planet itself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)