I'm in Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle in Finland, with Lisa and Barbara. Barbara is from Hawaii and is a little freaked out about the temperature in February, but she had also been to Alaska in the winter and loved it. Lisa and I are from California where winters are mild as well, but I'm sure we will be fine. Planning for February travel certainly makes for a pretty big packing list, since the activities are expected to include show shoeing, dog sledding, and midnight Northern Light hunts. Somewhere in the packing is a pretty modest collection photo gear, at least compared to some other trips: Fuji X-T20 mirrorless, two lenses, tripod, and Olympus TG-4 digital waterproof for a backup.
For anyone interested, the flag of Finland is simple and pure, with the blue Nordic Cross representing Christianity. The crest of the northern Lappi province certainly shows they are not timid about showing their independent nature. To add to the discussion, the indigenous Sami people have adopted their own flag which is flown in the north of several Nordic countries. Its modern design takes colors from traditional Sami costumes, and the circle is blue for the Moon and red for the Sun. I'm fond of this one.
We are in Rovaniemi, which is a grey, but practical sort of town - right on the Arctic Circle. Modern buildings and indoor shopping malls. After breakfast we make an initial foray to test our reaction to the weather (cold) and our clothing (too munch for indoors, not enough for outside). But today is relative mild - in the 20's, although tonight it might fall to 0. Lisa and I buy goggles at a sporting good store because it seems like the wind might be a problem at some point. Sun is rising about 8:15, but sets a little after 5:00. The worst of the dark winter is behind the town and the sporting good store seems to be featuring running shoes and bathing suits, in hopes of things to come.
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