Kiruna

So last night we stayed in Pajala after the presentation and were up and out the door by 7:00a.m.  In teenager lingo I'm learning that means the same as death.  We then took a four hour bus ride to Kiruna. We toured the construction sight where they laid the rail for the Northland project.  

We headed for lunch at restaurant in town and when we were arrived they said they weren't ready for us and we would have to come back later.  Elizabeth, our tour coordinator, eager to please and have things run smoothly said, "All back on the bus.  There's a lovely church in town everyone must see!"  We then toured a church they're quite proud of (although they claim to not be religious) and just enjoy the architecture.  I found it to be somewhat unimpressive, although I really did try.  Rome may have ruined me as far as the beautiful cathedrals.  

Many parts of the town need to be moved because the mining industry that is helping the town to earn it's livelihood, is also causing the town to collapse and they are in the process of moving their heritage from one end of the town to the other.  It will take about twenty years.  This is one of the buildings they are planning on moving.  Here are some pictures to judge for yourself:

 This was all our group.  Elizabeth is the tiny blonde to the left.  I wish I would've gotten a real picture of her!  She was great.

Afterward the restaurant had prepared a meal for us of moose and lingonberries.  It was surprisingly good.  Terrence ooohhh and ahhhed over the butter and lingonberries.  The next thing we knew Elizabeth had slipped out for a short time and came back with a grocery bag full of butter and lingonberries for him to take home!  It was no small bag either.  It must've been 10 lbs. of the goodies.  

One of the more gruff, older gentlemen on the tour whom I was seated next to seemed to enjoy my company.  I think I must have reminded him of one of his daughters and we talked about his family and grandchildren who you could tell were the light of his life.  After lunch he left for a bit, came back and said to me, "Come, I have something for  you."  Then and he looked at Terrence and said, "You can come too."  We had a good chuckle at that.  No butter or lingonberries for me.  He had been out of the restaurant and found a small museum of Lapland people artifacts.  He wanted to share this part of Sweden with me and make sure I had pictures of this part of their heritage.  I thought it was really kind. I need to be more brave and take pictures of these nice people.  I will be better about it in the future.

We then caught a plane to get to a train and took a four hour train ride North of the Arctic Circle to Narvik, Norway.  It was freezing!  The lakes were still frozen and the skies gray.  I wore several layers of clothing; shirt, sweater, jacket and trench coat.  I was told it is one the coldest summer's Europe has had.  Goody.

 A train station along the way.

 This is arriving into Norway.  It was beautiful with waterfalls coming from the mountains and the ocean as a foundation for the mountains to rise up from.

 That evening before bed we got to go to dinner at the top of the world.  We rode a tram to the top of the Narvik Harbor to overlook where the ore would be loaded by train onto the ships headed for China.

There was a very fancy meal, lots of celebration and drinking for others and good conversation.  I am amazed at how well they all speak English.  I felt a little sheepish to not know any of theirs, and they would say, why know it?  There is no need!  Most of them know at least 3 different languages so they can do business with other parts of Europe.  They are dependent upon one another whereas the U.S. is very large and we all speak the same language so there isn't as much need to intermingle.  At least, that's what they told me.

The Best Western in Narvik at 11:00 pm.  No lights, just open drapes.  Once we closed the drapes, it was lights out!