Another Amazing Journey
Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 7:33PM If you have followed me on my blog you know by now how I love new experiences and adventures. As a result of the direct sales industry I have been able to chalk up many experiences that will be with me thru my lifetime and so many that most people unfortunately will never get to experience. You also know that the simple things in life mean the most to me.
As I took off from Chicago to Norway several days ago the sun was beginning to set to the western sky behind us. I worked on my computer till it was almost dark and when I looked out the window I saw something I have never seen. I could see the horizon to the north and the light directly above it that refused to go to bed that night. Wait a minute; the sun sets in the west, not the north. Being the astronomer that I am, I put two and two together. I was so far to the north and only a week or so away from the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, that I was seeing the first of several days of NO total darkness. It was amazing because it was like a belt of light across the horizon and directly where the light ended was an abrupt line where darkness again dominated the night skies filled with thousands of nighttime stars.
The problem was that now I thought I had to stay awake all night to see how this all played out. Was it going to every get completely dark? If not what was the sunrise going to look like and what direction was it going to come up from. North, east or maybe northeast?
Everyone around me was laying the seats back to sleep for the next several hours as we flew over the Atlantic Ocean. But me, I was wired tight and did not want to miss the show. The flight attendant even wondered why I was not sleeping like the rest and made it clear her job would be much easier if I would just go to sleep. I asked her to freshen up my drink and after It was gone I promised to try and catch some rest.
As I closed my eyes my mind kept telling me that I was missing one hell of a show out the left window of the Air Bus. So every few minutes I had to take a peak to see what was going on outside with mothers natures incredible light show. Need less to say I got little to no sleep that night. By 2 and 3 am the light was in full control of the skies and was over powering the darkness by the minute. I have never experienced this before. I was amazed. A light show of light verses darkness.
When arriving in Oslo Norway in the morning, I was invited out for dinner the first night. We were seated at a table in front of the restaurant and after dinner sipped on a few dirty martinis. It was still light as we laughed and told stories for several hours and when I finally looked at my watch it was 10 minutes till midnight. This was the second time in two days that I would experience daylight for all 24 hours of he day. When we finally left and walked back to the hotel it was 1:30 am and still light out side. As I type this blog it is 1 am in Oslo and I just peaked out the window to see the light again winning the battle over darkness.
I have had such an amazing time here in Norway. The people remind me of how it use to be in America. They sill trust you and are very friendly and courteous. In fact, they go out of their way to make you feel welcome. All of this possible for me, because of a choice I made over 10 years ago. The choice to take charge of my life and live it to it’s fullest each and every day. Each county I arrive at I have people that pick me up, give me the guided tour and make me feel at home and not alone in a strange country. Amazing life indeed. WOW!!!
It is 1:15 am in Oslo as I type this blog. I tried to sleep but am wide-awake again and leaving for home in Utah at 7 am in the morning. I keep peering out my window at the light in the skies that never ends wondering when I will get to experience this again.
You maybe thinking that there are much more exciting things in life to get excited about and has this Karl lost his marbles? I don’t think so. I never take anything for granted and the simple things in life are the most important to me.
So I have totally enjoyed day after day of daylight. Can you guess what I am missing right now? What do you think I will be doing when I get home tomorrow night? As cool as this has been to experience 24 hour day light for the first time, I cannot wait to get home and peer back into the heavens and see all the stars and view my favorite constellations when I arrive home late tonight.
I want to thank all the friends and amazing people I met on this swing into Norway. I have had the time of my life and look forward to coming back soon. Another Amazing Journey!!!
Till next time,
Karl
Reader Comments (2)
Thanks Karl
for sharing your outstanding experince " The never setting Sun"
and welcome back to Scandinavia*
Greetings from the land of the midnightsun in the north of Sweden
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