They are Going to Make ME Wear Shoes

Today I start packing!

I rarely wear anything on my feet other than flip flops. In the rain flip flops. Hiking flip flops. Dressed up nicer flip flops. For the 4 weeks of my trip I will in required to wear shoes! Not only that, but much of the time I'll be in  heavy boots.  One of my co-workers has lent me a beautiful pair of Sorel boots designed for wear in snow --- think after skiing. They are warm, they are perfect and together the weigh over 5 pounds ( or the weight of about 20 pairs for flip flops).  I really shouldn't whine it could be worse. Army style boots (which I considered) are heavier and far less stylish.  I am also taking a pair of Converse high tops to wear in the kitchen. I'll be shopping for them in the morning. I'm thinking shocking orange or pink. At the bottom of my duffel bag will be my flip flops waiting for the flight home.

They tell me to pack for dressing in layers. Normal temps are from 20 to 50 degrees. But of course that's normal it could get much colder. It could also rain or snow. Below zero is not unheard of. Did I mention wind- lots of wind. So in the bag goes all the long underwear I can find in the house, sweats, jeans, ski parka, socks (lots of socks), gloves for outside, gloves for inside, glove liners (whatever those are), and knit hats. Okay let's face it, I'm going to take a large chunk of my winter wardrobe and a number of items borrowed from friends who spend more time in the snow than I do. In case you were about to ask there, are no washing machines or dryers. I can hand wash clothes and hang them up and watch them freeze!

Today I received the "forms" I need to fill out so I can go. They look very similar to the forms (medical, insurance, liability) that everyone completes for scout camp.  The difference is in the details: reference to immediate or timely medical care are replaced with acknowledgements that medical care may be several hours or even several days away. Luckily, I didn't find any reference to sub standard cooks being used as Polar Bear bait.

10 days and counting.