Greenland (day 6 - a family day)

Simon and Django on Karl's boat, getting ready for an overnight trip.

Tashi showing Snuggy Bear the view from the boat

Blue icebergs!

This cove is between Qaqortoq and Alluitsoq, where Simon lived as a boy. Karl told us that if you were nearby and a storm was coming, this cove would keep you well protected. 

Simon and Django doing some target shooting with icebergs.

This iceberg was unusual.

An enormous shelf of an iceberg. How big must it be under the water?!

A very small settlement on the way to Uunartoq, and the glorious hot springs.

On the ground at Uunartoq. 

What a view!

Three generations...

Tashi with swim shorts in hand. Excited, but with not really knowing what awaits us.

Wow! I think this is the most spectacular place I have ever been!

With some trepidation, Tashi ventures in. ..

Hey it's pretty nice in here! The temperature was perfect.

(Getting out was cold!)

Well soaked and blissed, we then went to Simon's boyhood home of Alluitsoq. When Simon lived there, there were around 70 inhabitants in the summer, and 40 in the winter. There are now 2.  An old couple Christian and Theodora. They still keep sheep, grow food in a garden, and keep the church in pristine condition.

Rowing to shore for a brief visit, before dinner and bedtime on the boat. Karl stayed in their home, seen at the top right of the picture.

Hello Alluitsoq! 

Greenland (day five)

With the festival done, everyone had a free day. We ventured out by boat into the fjord to try to catch some fish.  Noah, Richard, and Chen (NANDA) hoping for a cod to bite.

Tashi chewing on Greenlandic dried fish. Yum!

After several attempts...still no fish! Well, let's make a toast anyway!

Our 'no fish' view. Pretty nice.

Nearby we docked and went to visit the 1200 year old Norse ruin Of Hvalsø. 

As an American, it's incredible to be out in the middle of total wilderness and be able to walk up to an unprotected (unwalled, unticketed..) historical site such a this. Free roaming sheep like coming here too, as evidenced by the copious amounts of poo we encountered, especially within the walls of the most intact building! (I forgot to take a photo of the poo! It was impressively abundant!)

Old stones...

Whose eyes have gazed through this window?

A lovely spot to rest.

Django on the ruin of an old ruin

So here we are, nine people from Port Townsend, Washington, in Greenland together! 

(well, Misha from Nanda -on the right- lives in Portland, but hell, that's close enough to count!)

Tashi said "mama, take a picture"...

With Simon's dad Karl

We returned to Qaqortoq, and to Hotel Qaqortoq for a 'closing of the festival' dinner. This fish was scrumptious! (and for some reason upside down)

Tashi and his Ittu having some fun

Ah, good night Qaqortoq!

Greenland (days three and four)

On our third day in Greenland, a chilly rain came which forced the cancellation of most of the day's outdoor performances, including Simon's, and NANDA's ninja theater show. So, what else to do but host a party for our visiting friends. Simon got a spread of native Greenlandic food for all to try (if they dared!). Mattak (whale skin), dried whale meat, dried musk ox, dried fish (Greenlandic and Icelandic), and his dad brought smoked trout, salt cod, and a homemade reindeer stew. Instruments were gathered, and a really good time was had!

Sampling some Greenlandic dried fish, a workout for the jaw! 

.

Jammin'

Tashi with uke watching his Ittu play accordion. Simon's dad Karl is a well known musician in Greenland. He can really liven up a party!

The next day (and the rest of our visit) we were blessed with ideal weather. 

Here folks are gathering near the square in Qaqortoq to watch performances. Django got a hillside spot. (blue shirt to the right of the flag pole)

The square, people gathering and Tashi gathering stones to throw in the fountain. Throwing stones in water became one of his favorite activities on this trip. Simon said he was just the same as a little boy.

Simon and Noah Rosanes performing for the first time live as Astral Planes, their new music project.

Really cool, electronic music. I love it! 

Based in Port Townsend, Washington, the Ninja Theater group NANDA entertains the crowd. These guys are very skilled and wonderfully entertaining. The crowd (especially the kids) loved them!

Martial arts and slapstick...

...and juggling

Django by the river in downtown Qaqortoq. 

Packing up after a day of performances. Tashi the roadie helps out.

Django climbing rocks in Qaqortoq. These wonderful carvings were created in the early 1990s for a festival. Artists from around the world came to create these charming stone sculptures.

The last evening's performance. Nive Nielsen, a charming singer and songwriter from Nuuk performs with her partner and band mate Charlie Shapiro from Athens, Georgia.

During the show Django explored the great outdoors, just outside the auditorium.

Simon rocking it!

Onstage with Simon and Richard for the show.