It`s about time I know

A big HEEEEELLLLO coming from the north. Sitting here at 70 degrees latitude being thankful for the clean, clear air and big skies. Sorry for sending out the hope that there would be more stories, internet access was very limited and difficult while with the family. My friend Ingvild came to meet me last tuesday and from there we parted ways from my family. The travels with them were, well, interesting. No, actually, they were really, really great. Everyone got along quite well considering the small space that was shared between five people. Thank goodness for the Norwegian family members that were travelling alongside us, it was a good escape venue and they are wonderful people. Once we got to the Lofoten Islands, we spent the first day wandering around the Viking museum and dressing up as Vikings and taking riduculous photos. Not surprisingly, Thor played the part perfectly and even thought it would be fun if him and Jeanne got dressed up and made their wedding photos there. One of the women there was very friendly with me and did a lot of explaining about the gods Odin, Thor, Loki and Freiya and she also shared with me some insights regarding the Shamanic practices that the women used to do. They would often cast their spells while weaving, and it was in a certain room in the long house where the men wouldnt like to go because of this so called witchcraft. She also took some time to explain to me about the runes and their meanings. I thought it would be fun to pull one and see what came up for me.. I pulled the rune for mankind, so took that as a sign to send out some of the blessings I was receiving from my ancestors. Dad managed to pull the rune of Thors hammer and was quite thrilled with himself for this.
Every night we were camping at some fabulouse spot by the water, usually alongside a fjord or beach or something. There was always a mountain close by that me and the Norwegian cousins would do an evening hike up. Its so easy to hike cause theres no trees so you dont have to worry about getting lost, and it doesnt take long to get up high and enjoy some incredible panoramic views.
Some family of ours in Svolvær have a tour boat that they take tourists out on for tours to the Trollfjord. They planned a private trip for us and we had an incredible five hours on the water heading through the fjords. Along the way we slowed to feed some bread to the seagulls and I held out pieces and they would fly right over and take it out of my hand. They also had some fish and they would throw them out and these gigantic eagles would swoop down and take the fish.. incredible. They served us a lovely meal of fish soup, and also cruised us past the area where the old family farm exists, and where our oldest ancestors that weve traced come from.
Ingvild showed up with her friend from Australia, and the three of us spent some time hiking other mountains, going to beaches, and kicking back playing music in the midnight sun on the patio of the house we were staying at. Again, amazing!!!... until the Aussie guy turned into a crazy drama queen and we had to kick him out... long story, but thank goodness hes gone.
Her and I are now in Tromso, which is in the far far north at the city she comes from. We met with some other friends here last night and went out for sushi and a night on the town. We had the best time at the sushi place with a swedish chef, who looks like he comes from the middle east. We sat at his bar and watched him make the sushi and he gave us all kinds of samples of different things... I even tried whale!!! (which Im not really in agreeance with, but had to give it a try).. not my favorite taste, but not awful either. We laughed and joked a lot with the Swedish guy as he told us his favorite color is pink, and that his mother told him he looks like a dove.. too funny!
Today was a lazy day.. the first so far but much needed.. we biked in the afternoon to the other side of the island and set up the slackline in the trees by the beach. A lovely afternoon followed by a nice grilled halibut dinner at her parents.
Two more days here then I fly to Oslo for a couple there and then off to Amsterdam. My friend in Amsterdam has invited me to go to a percussion festival next weekend so that is how my time there will begin.. looking forward to it.
There you have it.. the past 10 days in somewhat of a nut shell.. now will try to post some pics.
Love you all lots.
PS- did I mention that dad and I went for a dip in the arctic waters? My first and second toe were numb for two hours following that one... brrrrr!

Land of the Midnight Sun

Greetings from the cold and far north. As I sit and write, I'm outside, in my down jacket at 10:30 at night, feeling like it could be 6 or 7pm. It's very strange to think that it's bedtime about now, but it's still light outside. Thank goodness for the blackout blinds in the moho, and also for earplugs. We have a couple of snorers in the rig, that parts not a bother.. but when someone rolls over, you sure feel it! The trip over was uneventful, until the last landing when it felt like we were going much to fast to be able to stop... a little bit of nausea as I stepped off the plane but that was cured with a big smile as my family stood in the window waving my arrival. Off to camp for the night. This morning we went to meet Uncle Vigo and Auntie Villguun. They took us down to the waterfront to buy some coldwater shrimp from the fisherman straight off the boat. Best tasting shrimp I's eva had... bubba gump would be proud.
Dad's birthday today, so we did some celebrating, with a cake Villguun made and also some Lefse (a thick flour crepe rolled with cinnamon and sugar in the middle). I hadn't prepared anything for dad's gift so while at the store today, found him his favorite cashews and bought a card, uncertain of what it said, but hoping it was some birthday fun.
It feels really amazing to be here. Life has slowed for me already, and I will take each moment as it comes, trying to enjoy a different pace and the new scenery. We are parked by the river at a campground tonight. Will try to sleep well to prepare for the wedding ceremony tomorrow and then head north in the evening.
Things I have noticed so far:
my cousin Mike is double jointed (really freaky when he flips his foot around backwards in the supermarket)
Skinke is a word for ham... and it comes in a tube.. barf!
Pear cider is delicious.
Koffee in Norway is wery strong.
Being a Larsen, I fit right in! (it's one of the most common names here)
Hope everyone is doing well, and I look forward to keeping you informed via this blog.
Buckets of love.
Juice