There are several puzzles in today's journal...
First puzzle: Today we wanted to visit the Pevek museum. Since most stores do not open until 10 or 11 in the morning, we decided it would be best to wait until about 11. After dressing in our warm clothes, Martin, Jochem, Kristina, Addie and I set out on a short walk to the museum. After arriving, we were disappointed to find the door locked. We spent a long time trying to determine when (or if) the museum would be open today. From this sign, can you determine when the museum is open?
Museum hours... can you figure out when the museum is open?
We could not agree about the schedule posted on the sign. Later, several of us returned and were able to tour the museum. We all wished for our translator so we could learn more about Chukotka. The first room of the museum has exhibits in Natural history. Large mammoth and walrus skulls and tusks, rocks and minerals, wildlife and early human artifacts from the region were on display.
Arctic wildlife in the Pevek museum
Ancient petroglyphs on stone found in Chukotka
After viewing a room that held Pevek memorabilia from the recent history of the town, we entered a room that was depicting the conditions of the gulag. Pevek, the northern most city in Russia was the closest town to many mining camps years ago. Mining is still important to the economy of the region and equipment is displayed both on the inside and outside of the museum.
Pevek was the last town for many people who were sent to the mining camps.
Old mining train. Chukotka has many active mines.
Many beautiful student drawings and paintings were displayed in a gallery on the upper floor of the museum.
Last night Courtney asked a great question on the Ask the team forum... Have I met any interesting people? Well...
As many of you know I was not looking for many souvenirs (which is a good thing since I have not seen any since arriving in the arctic) but, I was interested in acquiring a real Russian hat, and I had been looking all over town. The people here in Pevek have beautiful coats and hats so I was really hoping to find one. A few days ago, we visited a store only to find out that all the hats were several sizes too small.
After the visit to the museum, we wanted to stop by a shop to purchase a few more items. Since most stores do not have unique signs, we often open the door for a look around. Although we were looking for food, the first store we stopped at was a clothing store. We decided to look around and were quickly welcomed by the shop owner. This shop had a small selection of hats, very typical of those we have seen people wearing in town. After trying one on and making my purchase, Jochem wanted to take my picture. The shop owner motioned for us to wait and she returned with her coat and insisted I put it on for the picture.
Tim Martin in Pevek style ECWG with Vladimir, Kristina, and Addie.
In addition to the owner, one of the local helicopter pilots was in the store. Vladimir had very broken English, but, much better than our non-existent Russian. Between his English, props around the store, many hand gestures and charades, we talked and laughed for a long time. I asked him if he knew about Lake E... as it turns out, he flew several of the earlier expeditions to the lake. He brought out a map and told us of many adventures including trips to Antarctica, the North Pole, even surviving a helicopter crash in central Russia. It was not long before he offered us drinks and we toasted to our new friendship. Before we left the store, he asked us to mark our homes on his map of the world. Here is puzzle #2... What am I wearing on my head? The lady at the store told me it was EHOK (pronounced something like "ye-not")
What is on my head? Pevek style Extreme Cold Weather Gear!
A note about Extreme Cold Weather Gear... our team stands out walking around this frozen town in our big parkas and boots. Many of the locals, including the out-door residents pictured below wear fur.
One of the many feral dogs that roam Pevek streets.
Another Pevek puppy looking for a hand-out.
In the extreme cold, it turns out that a fur hat is MUCH warmer than the synthetic fleece. Back to the dog pictures, all the buildings in town are built above the ground. The space under the buildings provides shelter for many feral dogs roam the streets. These pictures show two of the friendly faces that seemed to be waiting for a handout.
A word about the science expedition... As I was writing this evening, word arrived from Moscow that the parts we need for the drilling have successfully arrived in Russia! They are now on a flight from Moscow to Magadan and we hope that they will be flown from Magadan to Bilibino early next week. Once the equipment arrives in Bilibino, we will fly from Pevek, pick up the parts and at last make our way to the lake!
T-Mart... really staying warm in Pevek.
Puzzle #1: Key to the sign The bars on the left indicate days of the week. Here in Russia, the week begins on Monday, not Sunday as in the US. The orange indicates days the museum is closed (Sunday and Monday). Times are posted in 24 hour time.
Puzzle #2: the hat... EHOK (ye-not) is a raccoon, this is obviously the wrong color. Sasha, the Pevek manager said the name is an abbreviation for something that is much longer. What I do know is that hat is very warm even in the cold arctic wind.