ROMJUL

Picture of the week: Polar bear sun dial overlooking Longyearbyen during the polar night.

Svalbard reindeer snoozing.

Romjul is the name for the period between Christmas and New Year’s Day when Norwegians switch into low gear and enjoy time off, family, food, and the outdoors. Our family has done very well adopting this tradition with all of us breaking our sleep-in records for our time here, relaxing, watching a few movies and getting ready for the new year.  I have been doing a few housekeeping activities at UNIS for a few hours a day, went on two hikes, Nicole and I went to see Sherlock Holmes at the Kulturhus, and started basketball again. Last night we kept an eye on the online aurora forecast and when it looked promising, shot out into the valley to get a look.  There was a faint strip of green through Orion’s Belt that I managed to get a hint of with the camera.  It was pretty cold (-23), so we did not stay out too long.  It was amazing to see the stars so bright.  Even though the town is small, it washes out the night’s sky.

Longyearbyen lighting up the surrounding hills.

First attempt at the Northern Lights through Orion's Belt.  Mine 7 glows on the hilltop.

2011 has been quite a year, starting out in Punta Arenas, Chile, traveling to Antarctica, working in Palau, ski trips in California, diving in Australia, a new job interview in Delaware, a rocket launch at Vandenberg AFB, Europe, and our time here in Svalbard that the Fulbright has awarded us.    In this world of growing uncertainty, we are so fortunate!  I hope that everyone reading this has a great 2012!