Salmiya

On equinox today (astronomically, it occurs exactly at UTC 11:44 am), the sun is setting pretty much across the sund. Amazing to remember great emotions not even two months ago, when sun rose again (and set at the same time) after two long months of darkness at 69˚40’N 18˚56’E . The March equinox is the beginning of spring (or fall in the southern hemisphere of the world). For Iranians it might be the most significant time of the year. They (and many other people in Central Asia or, for instance, the Turkish Kurds) celebrate Nowruz , the beginning of a New Year (1388 H). To all of them Nowruz Mobarak!

The picture above was taken last year from the terrace of the new Dental School. This year, there is a lot more snow and mainly overcast. Winter has a strong and grim grip on the country. On the picture below (yesterday, 10 am) you may see that, on top of the mountains (about 1000 meters above sea level) the sun is still shining. The center of the picture is occupied by the University Hospital, the northernmost, of course.

The first batch of dental students in Tromsø exercising periodontal surgery and suturing on the sheep model which had been developed in Kuwait .

It seems so as if summer has happened this year early in May. At least, I haven’t got it. Krokelva is a very short mountain torrent, maybe two km long. There are several swamps and little ponds in its vicinity. Right now, spring, summer, and autumn flowers give their best. They know that end of the month the first flurries might come with the northern winds.

One year ago, I moved to another place on this globe, quite another extreme. After having stayed in one of the hottest places on Earth (literally and in figurative sense) for six years, I started exploring the Arctic. Tromsø lies 350 km north of the Arctic Circle, but the amazing Gulf Stream grants a quite comfortable climate, not too cold in winter, rather warm in summer. There are several northernmost records: the most northern brewery, the most northern university, the most northern cathedral and mosque. University (my new employer) is blessed with students from many nationalities. It was established in 1968. Today, it homes 1800 staff members and 6500 students. In the 19th century, Tromsø was known as the “Paris of the North”; people were (and are) highly civilized and much interested in culture and good dining. Even nowadays, the density of pubs and good restaurants is high. So are prices. The city has a good or bad reputation of being one of the most expensive in the world. Po...