between Ko and a hard place
The place is starting to come together. Still not much furniture, just a few basics, but there's little point in buying anything until I know what I can bring back. It's a reassignment, they should pay moving expenses, I think...better put that on the very long list of things to find out when I am back on Ko.

My kitchen looks onto the apartment across the alley. I thought I would feel hemmed in, and then today I was up earlier than usual, drinking my morning coffee, and there was such a commotion... whoever lives over there has parrots. It was feeding time, they were all excited and flying around the room. It looked like someone throwing paint. Whirls of color.

And the newsstand down the street is owned by a man from Norway who sells cloudberries! I was so surprised and pleased, it made him smile. He has one of those scandinavian faces that look like ancient trees, solemn and a bit stiff, so when he smiled it was like spring had come, or something.

I'm finding things to like. That's what counts.

Ko, like this huge wave rushing in. I go back on Wednesday and deal with...everything. Crichton promises that it's all arranged, but I can't help feeling like I've just poked a sleeping dragon on the nose.