White Halloween

Thursday, Oct. 30, we had our first real snow on Tromsøya, that is, on the island where the city of Tromsø is located. We have seen snow on the high mountains on the mainland and the neighboring island of Kvaløya for quite some time, but this is the first time we had seen the ground covered here. It was beautiful--and was a nice dry snow with good traction, which is nice when you walk everywhere! Michael took the photo directly above at the university. The two above that are taken along the paths that traverse the island--shortcuts for walkers and skiers. The top photo is the view of the university we can see from the end of the block of apartments we are living in. The snow seems to set everything in high relief.

Thursday evening, we walked over to Prestvannet, which is a lake at the top of the island, not far from where we live. There are paths that surround the lake, most are lit, some are not, but there is enough ambient light that one can see very well on any of the paths. We walked around the lake in the dark and the snow--it was like walking through an enchanted forest. Most of trees here are birches, but there are also many rowan trees (like mountain ash) with red berries. If you look at some of our pictures and see a hint of red in the treetops, it is the berries, which still hang on the trees.

Last evening (Saturday) it began to warm up, and the nice crunchy snow was replaced with a sheet of white ice. We had gone out to take an evening walk but soon changed our minds. This morning when we awoke, the snow and the ice had melted away completely. We walked to Domkirke for mass, figuring that there are probably not too many more times that we will make that trip down the hill this winter. Another church, Elverhøy, will be easier for us to get to in snowy weather, as it is up on the same level where we are here. We like the services at both churches, and understand more and more each time we are there. The churches all have wonderful music. Since yesterday was All Saints Day, the service revolved around that; names of those in the community who had passed on this last year were named. Mike tells me that all of the songs we sang were very traditional. There was a wonderful choir that sang several things--one was a round, "I himmelen, i himmelen, hvor Gud vår Fader bor ..." ("In the heavens, in the heavens, where God our father dwells"). It seems that all of the pastors have the most beautiful voices too--the services are so lovely.

Now that it is November, the days are shortening very quickly. The sun set today about 2:35, and will rise tomorrow about 8:15. We have lighted some candles and are listening to Joshua Bell, so all is very koselig here! Best to all!