Charles Soord's Diary
2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
My name is Charlie Soord. I work as an Alcoa Business System (ABS) and learning consultant for the Mining Group located at the Huntly Mine in Western Australia.
I received the offer from Alcoa and Earthwatch to participate in a project called the Mountain Waters of the Czech Republic in early June. I was pretty surprised when I received the email, as I was not confident about being accepted.
I had no idea what the project was about. I quickly hit the web link provided to find out more information. I had a quick glance over the 30-page expedition briefing, and it appeared to be a very interesting and challenging project. I printed all the information to take home and show the family.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I discussed the Earthwatch project with my family, and they were just as excited as I was. I think they would have liked to have been a part of the project as well. I’m looking forward to organizing the travel arrangements and may consider extending the trip to look around Europe.
I have been reading quite a bit about the Mountain Waters of the Czech Republic. I found the project to be very interesting. The history goes back to the early 1980s, when Josef Krecek, who is the lead scientist of our group, started his association with the Jizera Mountains of northern Bohemia. The devastation of the forest caused by air pollution and forestry practices was very extensive. Josef appears to be a real champion in the struggle to bring this issue out in the open.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
I have managed to finalize all my travel arrangements now. This was an interesting process.
The travel arrangements to Prague were relatively straightforward. I was able to get a Qantas flight to Frankfurt via Singapore and then a flight from Frankfurt to Prague. It looks like I am in for a long flight. It should take about 21 hours, including layovers.
I am planning to stay a few extra days in Prague to take in the sights. I am looking forward to exploring the many historical sites of this very old European city. I will also take the opportunity to travel to Southampton in the United Kingdom to catch up with family for about a week. I could not believe the amount of airlines available to travel in Europe at very reasonable cost. I wish we had this choice when flying out of Perth.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
I have started training for the work that lies ahead in my Earthwatch project. I have just completed an 80-kilometer (50-mile) walk through the southwest of Western Australia on the Bibbulmun Track with my wife, Sue. This was a great way to improve our fitness.
We spent four days and three nights out on the track, which is just less than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) in length and runs from Perth to Albany. We have almost completed two thirds of the track over the past 10 years.
All I have to do is maintain my fitness between now and when I leave. Approximately four-and-a-bit weeks to go, and I am starting to get a bit excited about the adventure now. I keep coming across by accident articles in the local newspaper and programs on television about the Czech Republic, which I find quite bizarre, as I am about to visit this interesting country.
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Earthwatch Institute
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Mountain Waters of the Czech Republic
Learn more about the expedition and its scientists.
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