I’ve been in Bodø less than three hours and I’ve already had my first experience of the Aurora Borealis. Not in the sky, where you would expect to see it, but on the side of a building. It’s a piece of street art by Russian artist Rustam Qbic, titled After School. I’m hoping to see the real thing on this trip too – our guide Raymond is confident we will – but I’ve been warned how unpredictable the Northern Lights can be.
Just as we’re finding our seats on the bus that will take us to dinner, Raymond yells excitedly for us all to come back outside; he’s spotted something. We pile back out, pulling on our hats and gloves once again to protect us from the biting cold, and staring up at the black canvas, it’s hard to make it out – especially with the street lights nearby – but there is a greenish tint above us. It’s faint, yes, but I feel lucky to have seen the lights at all.
Back on the bus (polartours.no), our driver Michal is giving us a science lesson about the Aurora when Raymond tells him to pull over. We hurry eagerly out of the bus once again and above us, the sky has come to life; it’s as if someone has taken a paintbrush to it. I never thought I’d have such a profound and moving experience stood freezing by the side of a road, but Norway is full of surprises, as I’m soon to discover.