Youth projects are usually held in interesting locations. The ones that are not easy to find among top 10 tourist attractions. The project I attend this August certainly took place on one of most unusual possible locations in Europe.
Norway. First associations fjords, mountains, small colored wooden houses. I'm in!! :)
Even before I checked the exact location of the project, I was applied as a participant for the seminar named On the Top of the World. And the title was not only a nice-sounding, metaphorical title, but it was very appropriate to reflect the actual location of the seminar: Svalbard. Norwegian island, which is located 2,050 kilometers from the capital city Oslo. Direction north of course.
So I packed a sleeping bag, hiking shoes and winter clothing and started my trip to Arctic circle.
Already the first view through the window on the plane was quite impressive. Mountains covered with snow and valleys with glaciers and partly overgrown with mosses. We even saw a polar bear on a hill! And for those that missed a real alive one while approaching the airport - they could saw another one while waiting for the luggage.
Observing Svalbard´s amazing landscapes made me realized where all those photos from geography classes were made. Permafrost, fjord , glacial moraines - this time live in front of my eyes.
Svalbard is located in arctic area in about midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. In August this is the area of everlasting sun. However, we have occasionally experienced a bit 'darker moments´. For example, each time when we had arctic gulls around our head because they were aggressively defend their nests while we just wanted to walk to the town :).
-on the way from our cottage to the town: circulating with the stick and chasing away very aggressive but highly protected arctic gulls-
-cottage where we lived-
Activities at the seminar were properly adapted to the unique location. We had our team building activities while jointly prepared food or build a fire and instead of workshops in the classrooms we went into the courtyard, where 50 huskies live and took them for a walk. Or rather - the huskies took us for a walk.
Dog sledding was really an extraordinary experience. On the way we listened stories of the French skier. She was together with her boyfriend living on Svalbard as a supplier of the cottages and the dogs and revealed us some amazing facts about this island.
Meanwhile we observed amazing landscapes along the coast of Greenland Sea.
-slay ready for the snowy days-
After we discover the beauty of the surroundings of our cottage, find some fossils and visited the most northern post of the world, most northerly cash-machine in the world and probably the most northern kebab place in the world (yes, it´s really there), we went on the all-day boat trip to the nearby glacier.
-view from the boat on the way inside the fjord-
-glacier-
In the cabin we had a chance to chat with researchers from all over the world that came to Svalbard and on the deck we listen stories of a sailor ;)
-great storyteller on board-
-in a company of Norwegian hikers in the cabin-
For few minutes we had the opportunity to observe whales which followed our boat.
-whales in the sea-
-and a piece of a whale later on my plate..
..very weird feeling to try its taste after seeing this amazing animal in the sea-
On the way to the glacier we stopped in the former Soviet mining settlement called Pyramiden. There we visited the interior of abandoned buildings and stopped at the main square where the statue of Lenin stands.
With a gun equipped guide excitedly told us about the history of this place where he was born. Today he lives there as one of the eight permanent residents of the settlement. On the question of whether he ever get bored or feels lonely he answered: no, never. Of course. Stupid question...
-Lenin statue in Pyramiden; view behind looks like a picture not as actual real glaciers-
Once you see the mighty glacier on one side of the ship, whales in their nature environments, the high mountains wrapped in the mist and sparks in the people eyes when they are telling their stories created in Svalbard - it really leave a strong impression on you...
People that live on Svalbard, were repeatedly reminding us of the fact that we are all just a visitors here, allowed to enjoy this remarkable piece of our planet but also obligated to take responsibility for it. That week they were celebrating day of Svalbard. We took part in their celebration: full of singing, delicious food and stories connected with life on the island.
The fact that on Svalbard lives 2,000 people and 3,000 polar bears can make you realize how small and insignificant we really are. It seems that the humble attitude towards nature in the Svalbard population is really on the first place among their inhabitants. That kind of respect to the nature should be example for all of us.
Movement is limited to a small urban area; before any longer walk you are warned with sign like this:
Unbeatable views, which were constantly remind us to film scenes, snow on 14th of August and 120 hours of light in a row definitely left a mark on me. And beside that company of amazing people - participants from Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Sweden and Portugal. A lot of laughing and newly discovered truths :).
Awesome project, a remarkable place and never forgotten moments!!
Svalbard
Tanja Veg
