This morning we started at 9:15 with a walk to the bus stop. We got on the bus and took a short ride to the Tromsø University Museum! Inside we met our guide, Rosella, and started our tour about the Sami. On the tour we learned about the Sápmi region, the assimilation of the Sami people, life after World War II for the Sami, and Sami culture. We started the tour learning about different Sami people with a range of jobs. Next, we learned about the struggles for Sami after World War II. Then, Rosella taught us about the Sami assimilation and Norwegianization after World War II. Finally, Rosella taught us about Sami culture where we learned about the materials and tools they use.
After that we had some free time to explore the museum and see a few other interesting exhibits such as a geology and zoology exhibit. There was also a fascinating exhibit on the northern lights. We finally left the museum and took the bus back to the hotel. On the bus ride home we passed the Romssa Arena, which is the soccer stadium for the Tromsø Idrettslag, the northernmost soccer team in the world. When we got back to the hotel students had a few hours of free time to shop, eat, and pack for our plane to Oslo tomorrow.
Our nightly activity was an aurora dinner cruise. We boarded the boat at 6:45 and embarked on our hopeful journey to see the northern lights. Our first course was a platter full of small portions of foods such as reindeer heart and beets. The second course was a fish dish called bacalhau. It is traditionally from Portugal, but all the cod that is used to make it is caught in Norway. Around the time the main course was served was when we got an announcement from the captain. He said that there was a faint aurora at the back of the boat. We all rushed to the deck to see and were underwhelmed. Everyone continued eating until another announcement was made. The northern lights were back in the sky and even stronger.
Nothing could compare to the feeling of stepping out on the deck and seeing the aurora for (most of us) the first time. Bright green, yellow, and pink swirls filled the sky. You could see them well with your eyes but even better on a phone camera. Many students got amazing photos. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, and it was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
We returned to our tables for dessert, a mango and vanilla pannacotta, and got some information about the science behind the northern lights. The ride ended at 10 p.m., and we all made it back to the hotel to prepare for an early morning.
