Three exciting and eventful weeks in Greenland

By Christina Larsen
Participant

All except the participants from Greenland was assembled at the "Hotellet" in Copenhagen were we spent the evening before the trip went to Greenland. The next morning we departured from Copenhagen Airport. We arrived to Kangerlussuaq after a few hours, where we where received by an airport employee. Time came where we had to go to the tree different towns, where our host families were waiting for us. Our home stay took place in Ilulissat, Sisimiut and Qaqortoq. When I and two others arrived in Ilulissat our host family were waiting for us. I was going to stay with Ulla and Bent Heiselberg. Ulla is under education to be a teacher and Bent is the local superintendent of police and the former president of Lions Club Ilulissat.

I got my own room and was ordered to phone my parents in Denmark and tell them that I had arrived safely. After lunch on the balcony, we went to Ingolf Skov, where weall meet for coffee/tea and fizzy drinks, so that we could meet all the host families. Alice, the local participant was there too. After the get together we went sightseeing in the town.

The next day we all went out sailing in three boats on a two dais trip. We sailed to Adda, where we tried long distance kayak, while Erik was fishing and court commen mussel for the dinner the same evening.On top of this they had planned a lot of activities for us. Among other things we visited Knud Rasmussens museum and we helped carry archaeological equipment to Sermermiut, where they should start an excavation the same day.

Wednesday I had to change host family because Ulla and Bent had to go to Nuuk. The same day I moved to Ingolf and Lullus house. The same evening, Lulu and Ingolf made a very nice get together dinner for us.

The last evening we also had a farewell dinner at the restaurant "Den Hvide Falk" where there whas Greenlandic buffet. It was exciting to try the different dishes. Friday we went with the ferry to Nuuk where we arrived Sunday. Here was members from Lions Club Nuuk waiting for us and they drove us to "Jern og Metal Skolen" where we should stay during the camp.

After lodging in to our rooms. we had some free time to unpack and finding our self. And after that we all meet in Katuaq. Katuaq is the new build community centre with cinema, cafe, meeting facilities and a

art exhibition. We should eat all our meals here. Every morning at 09.45 we had a flag ceremony. Each nationality had to hoist the flag of their country. Sunday we had the official opening of the camp. It was also in Katuaq. During the opening we got more information about the three day hike, we should walk from Ameralik fiord to Kapisillit. In the evening we had another Get together party at the House of Sct. Georg's Gildet. Here we had a barbecue, plaid football - Boys against girls, here I have remark that the boys nearly lost to the girls - the score was 4-3, and the girls scored the first 2 goals.

The next day we had to prepare for the hike. One of the things we had to do was a test hike to "Lille Marlene". We had free time when we got back from the test hike. It was a good thing, we used the time getting familiar with the town and I visited my host family from Ilulissat.

Ready for hike
Tuesday was the time to pack our equipment for the hike. We had to find all the necessary things for the trip. The rest of the day we heard about the "Nordboerne" (The North's) and went on a whale safari, but we didn't see any whales. Our presentation, about ourselves, was done over two nights.

The next day was an early morning. We was sailed to Ameralik, where the hike should start from. We were divided into groups by three some with two in.

Every group had a loot of equipment that we had to carry under the hike. Among that there was a tent, trangia, first aid box, provisions, VHF-Radio.

We slept in tent for two nights, but one evening nearly everyone slept outside in the free. We arrived to Kapisillit on the 3rd day. Here we borrowed Nuuk Imeq's hut (Nuuk Imeq is the brewery of Greenland). We staid there for two nights and we had the traditional barbecue with some of the Lions members.

On the trip back to Nuuk we sailed a small detour hoping to see a whale or two. And it was a success this time. We saw a couple of seals and a "pukkelhval"/hump whale. It was a perfect end of some dais in the wilderness. During the hike we saw a couple of reindeer or nine, not a herd, but

we saw a herd of five and some of them was so close that it was amassing. A few times one was within 15 m. It was quite an experience.

The day after the hike was a relaxing day. In the evening it was bowling and pizza night. It became a funny and cosy evening. But the evening didn't end after we had eaten pizza; we went back to the student hostel and continued the cosy evening.

We where invited to lunch Tuesday at Hans Egedes Hus by Hans Enoksen the prime minister of Greenland, after a visit at the National Museum and Santa's Post office. After lunch we went by the parliament. We saw the parliament and heard a lecture about how the parliament in Greenland works.

The next day was for physical activities. We had the local sports arena for ourselves. Later that day we should visit Nuuk Imeq. I think I talk for everyone when I say that it was better than expected.

The day of howl
Then we reached the last day of the camp, unfortunately. The mood was down. After packing we evaluated the camp and had a meeting with a local journalist.

In the evening we had a goodbye party. The goodbye dinner was at Hotel hans Egede and the party continued at the Rock Café, where the employee was ready with welcome drink and entertainment. The entertainment was The Greenlandic championship of air guitar. The winner was our own Harsh Shukla from India. Then the DJ opened the disco and everyone was dancing and having fun.

When we reached the airport at 6 a.m. the feeling was very depressed. Nearly anyone was talking Everyone was just sitting staring out in nowhere. Everyone had finally discovered that it was the time to say goodbye. I admit that it was difficult to hold back the tears. It is difficult to say goodbye after two weeks together, day and night, also because everyone have been together in one very close group. But one thing is for sure we will all keep in contact with each other in the future.