journal of a journey to the Arctic

It's been over a month since I first put my foot in this land, and even though the routine starts to kick in, it still feels like a whole different planet. During this time, the sun seemed to never let go, as if dancing around breathtaking mountains that surround the island I now live in, my new home. And then, all of a sudden, the wolf ate the sun. Ragnarok started, the sun hid for the first time. And, in no time, it will not come out for a long time.
But, there is something I have not seen yet, this breathtaking landscape is hiding, and I am starting to feel it's doing it on purpose. I've been warned before, Northern Norway enjoys making fun of their visitors, and does not often shows itself at its fullest, just like a shy child, afraid of greeting an unknown person, but I am not surrendering, I am winning this battle, the green lady will wave her gloomy garments for me.
This night, as the sun sets, I feel a certain vibe in the air. It might be the chilly wind from the open sea, whistling across the so-called Whale Island,but then, coming from the horizon, a hint of a mist appears. Only it's not a mist. All of a sudden, the mist transforms into a faint curtain of pale green and white light, quietly flooding the sky. I am embarassed to admit that, at first,I felt slightly disappointed. The myriads of photographs and videos I had seen might have caused some expectations that do not meet the truth. But, again, this is an elusive land. Night upon night, I will stoically fight excruciating wintry, disarming bursts of cold wind and blizzards that sunk ships and wiped out armies until this wild territory, home to sami reindeer herders and vikings, unveils to me.

A year has passed since I have written those words, and I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that Norway met my previous expectations, and it did so in such an amazing way that I could not leave. I am proud to say that I got to meet the green lady at her fullest, and to this day, no matter how far I am, I will still reach to the sky every night with hopes of greeting this new friend. Superstition says you should not greet the green lady, as it may take you with her. I would willingly let her take me at the end of this life, so we can dance together and greet the arctic from the top of the world.