Japan

Having just moved to Alaska, I am whisked away by a field course studying sea ice field techniques in Hokkaido (the north island) Japan. I find myself on the eastern coast of this island for almost two weeks, the first part of which I am out in the "field"; making measurements on a frozen over Saroma lagoon (Saroma-ko in Japanese) near the town of Abashiri. The next half of this I am north of this, in the town of Mombetsu, presenting preliminary findings in a conference on sea ice research. With me on this trip are three other US students: one, Matt, from UAF, another, Wyatt, from UAS and a third, Eric, from the UW in Seattle. Hajo, my new advisor is one of the professors on this course and has been on sabattical here for awhile. I make a quick stop in Tokyo for a couple of days on my way home and see the sights with help from Akiko, a friend of my friend Valerie. All in all it was a very memorable experience.