Summer Solstice Beach Party
It was a very full day with lots of tour moments – some interesting, some fun, some profound.
We began at the Svalbard museum, which recently won an award as one of the top museums of its kind in all of Europe. The boys were thoroughly engaged for over an hour – and it’s an intimate exhibit. They were able see all the Arctic wildlife up close – stuffed of course! They were able to climb through a mine and dig for fossils, and even lay on animal skin. Some of the grads did try to catch a late morning nap! We did a mini-concert for the museum director, Patricia. She had heard us the night before at the Kulturhuset. It was fun singing “Old Northwest” right next to a stuffed polar bear! We also dedicated “Hello Mary Lou” to her. She said it would make her husband jealous, with a devilish smile.
From there we went dog sledding. Actually it was dog wagoning as there is not enough snow for sleds. Still, it was great fun. Especially since the dogs took us out of the town, into the actual wilderness.
The dogs were very cute, but very serious in their job. The trainers talked about how individual their personalities are. Some are always happy, some are moody, some are always grumpy. Their pull the sleds mostly in pairs, but the pairs have to be chosen carefully, to match personalities. Just like tour buddies! Some dogs have to pull without a partner because they have trouble getting along with anyone. Hmm… (But not YOUR son)
There’s a polar bear sign around the circumference of the town, beyond which you cannot go without guns. Our women dog drivers were packing heat! Don’t’ mess with Norwegian women! They let some of the boys drive the wagons. Serious Norwegian fun! Actually, there was one male driver. The chaps though him quite handsome. He taught Mrs. Bryan how to drive. She LOVED it. Oh, and she also loved driving the wagon. J
After sledding, our hostess took us back to her dog pound where we she made us Norwegian pancakes and a warm drink. We huddled into a hut with a fireplace at the center. “Cozy!”, as our Norwegian hostess would say. She then showed us a slide show of “a year in Svalbard.” We provided the sound track, singing our Norwegian pieces. She cried!
From there we literally crashed the University of Svalbard. We squatted in the lobby and warmed up and used the bathroom, and take a little nap. Security was not where to be found. No doubt everyone had gone home to get ready for the Summer Solstice
And then it was on the party. GREAT FUN. Boys were treated to hamburgers and sausage. Delicious. Then we did a concert. Absolutely surreal to be standing on the beach at the top of the world, singing “We Are The Boys.” The crowd loved every minute of it, and so did we. After the performance, it was more eating and drinking. The boys mixed with the Norwegians. They had never had a Summer Solstice quite like this one, thanks to the boys.
One couple approached me to thank us for the concert, and especially our dedication to the young Norwegians that lost their lives in Utoya attack last July. And the father added, “actually, our son died in the attack.” Svalbard resident Johannes Roa, at the tender age of fourteen, lost his live in this terrible act of violence and cowardice. I am not often speechless, but I struggled for words. Up until that moment this was in the abstract. And of course, as Americans we are not unfamiliar with this kind of tragedy. But what can prepare you for facing parents who have endured such pain, especially in such a tragic and public way. Johanne’s Mom said they she felt a “moment of peace” when the Grads sang “Prayer of the Children.” Before we left the beach, we gathered in a circle, with Johannes’ parents and brother part of the circle, and sang “Benediction” and “KSB Tour Hymn.” It was a humbling experience to stand with these brave people. Later we talked to the boys about it, reminding them of this very powerful gift they have and its ability to succeed in articulating sorrow – or joy, or hope – in a way that words cannot. We also talked about looking past the inconsequential moments of tour (and life). The frustrations and challenges with others, with ourselves. Try to always appreciate everything we have, most importantly the gift of life and health and then, a close third, the gift of music.
We gave Johannes parents a CD to remember us, and gave Johannes’ brother a Tour T-shirt. I am sure they’ll always remember us. We certainly will remember them and keep them in our hearts and prayers and thoughts.
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