I don't want to get my hopes up yet, since time is so short and getting visas and tickets here in Korea is going to be complicated... but I might be going back to Siberia! Diana, who will be replacing me here at the hogwan when I leave has fabulously agreed to come a week earlier than originally planned so that I can do this volunteer program, sponsored by the Great Baikal Trail. If all works as planned (fingers crossed!), I'll be leaving Korea around August 25th, and returning around September 15th or so. A few days later, Mia and I will be on a plane to the US. Talk about a crazy month! Anyway, check out the program's site for info on what I'll be doing. Below are maps, so you can see where I'll (hopefully) be going.
Inside that red box is Lake Baikal...
And here's a close-up of the lake.
I'll actually be making for #22 on the far right.
6 comments:
Dear Jane,
Please forgive me for putting this idea out there as I know you are enthusiastic about this project.
I grew up on Flathead Lake in Montana. Baikal kind of reminds me of Flathead in many ways. I've seen Flathead change over the years from somewhat remote to being over developed. It's a progression and one thing leads to another.
When I first heard about this project, my reaction was not good. When we make these changes, they can't be undone.
They are talking about digging up coal in Wyoming now. Nobody cares about it because nobody goes there. This is what they say. But people do go there and it does have it's own special beauty. It's never the same after it's been changed.
I might be way off of the wall on this. But over time I've come to have these views. I've learned to leave a very small footprint when it comes to untouched places and nature. I think this is the path we should take.
It is something to consider.
Don - I do understand your point of view... However, development is coming to that part of Russia. I'd rather be a part of making sure it's developed in an ecologically friendly way, than in a strip-siberia-of-its-rseources-way, as frequently tends to happen over there.
Hey Jane, The program sounds awesome. I'm glad you'll be able to prevent some of the destructive stupidity that comes along with development--you know a little planning often goes a LONG way!
You can't really choose what gets developed and what doesn't, but preservation and thoughtfulness is very important. Happy I could help out by coming over earlier.
(and thanks for the blog link...)
~Diana
Jane, Perhaps you are right.
Well, you learn something new every day. I always thought of Siberia as being only in the far northern reaches of Russia. Land of gulags and severe cold. Now I know much more, but it is still way too cold for this southerner.
You might be interested in this series of posts from my trip to the Baikal area in May 2006. Not exactly the kind of weather one usually pictures when one thinks of the month of May. I can only imagine what camping in September will be like. I need to get a really kickass sleeping bag, huh?
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