CO-OP

Today again we did the preparation at the garage. Sorting equipment into each member's sled was the main job for today. Håvard and Stepan were filming and taking pictures as they did their preparation; they seemed to be interested in things which Mr. Ohba and I really care less about. Since arriving here in Resolute, our motivation has been high and our moods have become much better.

In the evening we all went shopping to CO-OP. Here again Håvard and Stepan never missed the chance to take pictures of children. Although CO-OP is a small store dealing with only the necessity goods, many people come here and chat. There are also people getting together at the café of the hotel we are staying. I assume this is another gathering spot in this small town.

We eat three times a day at this hotel, but the volume of the dish served here is too much for me to finish. So today I gave half of my sandwiches and French fries to a kid sitting next to me. The three expedition members have to eat a lot to build up the energy, but I who stay in this town would gain too much weight if I keep eating like this. Stepan is 172cm tall, but he doesn't eat much. It is not that the food doesn't suit his taste, but just that he normally does not eat much. However he loves sweets very much. In fact every time he drinks coffee he put 3 or 4 sugars into it. It is no wonder two of his front teeth are shining gold!

Håvard is satisfied with food, saying "It's good!" every time he eats. When he was in Japan, he enjoyed all the Japanese food served. He preferred Bento (Japanese lunch box) to hamburger, and he had no trouble eating Natto (fermented soybeans). Mr. Ohba loves rice with Natto, but he says he doesn't feel like eating it as here is not as humid as Japan; rather he likes the local food now. But I guess when the expedition is finished, he will miss the Japanese food for sure. Food eaten has so much to do with the land and climate.

Inside CO-OP, with kids of the neighorbood.

Shown here from left to right are the cook Martha's nephew, the manager Lucas's daughters, and their friend