“You only get one sunrise
and one sunset a day,and you only get
so many days on the planet. “Galen Rowell
Thinking back about my summer in the Arctic I am dearly reminded that we only get so many days on the planet, although for months the sun would not set nor rise.
When days and nights unite in the Arctic summer time seems to stand still for a while. Nothing tells us that it is midnight and we should be asleep, or midday and we should have lunch. Without access to daily news, TV episodes, shopping days, release dates, and scheduled appointmements it is possible to forget about time…
Until summer changes to winter. Then, time stands still, or at least moves very slowly, so it feels during long, dark nights.
Summer or winter, the light up North feels special. Like a gift of Nature. Food for the soul when it’s abundant. And like an essential vitamin, when it’s sparse?
It feels like an eternity that I have left the Arctic, although it’s just been a few weeks. That must mean I miss it…
That must have been a very unique experience (of the summer light). So hard to imagine when we have equal nights and days where I live.
Was that your first summer in the Arctic?
No, not the first summer, and not the last, I hope. In the winter the light is also amazing, as there is dawn and dusk for minutes or hours, depending how far North you are. In addition, there are the mesmerizing Northern Lights.
I guess the same applies to the South, but I think you need to go to Antarctica to have similar experiences.
Such beautiful memories and plenty of soul-time, I’m sure. I’m so thankful that you get these opportunities… and that you share glimpses of these times with us.
Your experience sounds amazing. I bet the northern lights up there are awe inspiring.
I guess there were moments, when I had to pinch myself. Then again, that’s how life should be, or at least, I want it to be.