It has been a while between getting back from UmeÃ¥ and posting about it because of the computer trouble. But here are some pictures to make up for it! Umea is on the East cost, just 200km shy of the artic circle. It is fairly cosmopolitan city, with a huge University (5th oldest in Sweden, making it older than any in Canada) and giant hospital with multi-helipad that services the whole north. It has culture and great restaurants and an awesome exercise/community centre, which I just can’t imagine getting in Anchorage or Whitehorse or Iqualiut. Sweden does a good job of spreading services and ‘civilization’ into the North, and there is population up there as well, rather than cowering in the South like in Canada.
Wow, you guys must really fit in there. Everything you show looks like you, comfortable for you – there is another university that reminds me of SFU. The exercise facility sounds awesome.
Interesting to think of the different approach to adapting to the north – do you think in another few hundred years (relative time, culturally/historically), Canada might be there, too?
Can’t wait to see you two soon!
I’m impressed that people still cycle in that weather. Those tires must be seriously hard core winter bike tires!!!