It is often said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and Lofoten made an unforgettable one! Although Svolvær is isolated from the rest of Norway, it sure makes up for it in scenery, snow, and, of course, rorbuer (fisherman’s cabin). All of us had different first impressions of Lofoten, but they added up to create a (somewhat) warm welcome for our class.
Carter: After another unexpected flight altercation, we finally arrived in Svolvær, Lofoten and the first thing I experienced was the unreal landscape with mountains surrounding my every glance. We continued on to our cabins to find them along the calm and crystal clear water that had to be freezing cold. Our cabins along with the many others in town, were preserved from 200-year-old architecture; the style of classic fishing huts fishermen once used to make a living. Never have I traveled to a place that gave me such a remarkable impression Svolvær, Norway has so far.
Annika: When I arrived in Svolvær, the buildings were among the first things that made an impression on me! Svolvær dots the Norwegian coastline with many multicolored houses, and our rorbuer are no exception. The red exteriors of the rorbuer stand out against the cool tones of the snow-covered roads, mountains, and icy ocean, and the quaint wood architecture of the buildings perfectly matches the cozy interiors. The warm light from the many windows in Svolvær contrasted with the darkness of the skies and water and created a homey atmosphere. This cozy image of a wintry town is a first impression that I will never forget!
Maren: One of the first things I was stunned by in Lofoten was the sun, specifically the sunrise. The daylight is scarce, usually averaging around five hours a day, but when it’s there it makes its presence known. While walking to class on the first day, I was in awe of the sunrise. As Carter said, we are surrounded by mountains, and they make for the perfect backdrop during a sunrise or sunset. The sun is something that makes its mark on the city, and it was a great way to welcome us to Lofoten!
Aaron: When I got off the van from the airport, after taking in the view for a moment, the next thing I saw was a snowman made by the first group to be dropped off with fresh fallen snow that was perfect for packing. This snow was perfect for snowmen but also snowballs! So after we put our bags inside the cabins, we gathered in the open space, and split into teams for a snowball fight. There were times of calm when people were making the snowballs, and then times of chaos when the teams charged at each other. Afterwards, we all went back happy, a little tired, and ready to settle into our cabins with the beautiful view.
While we all had different experiences that stood out to us, they all combined to make Lofoten a great city for us to be in, even in January. Svolvær is full of first impressions, and we can’t wait to experience more!
