*19 August 2025* *Ester wanted to write again today....* Today was a bit boring for me. Mum and Dad wanted to spend another night here in Jokkmokk in order to see more of our friends, who Mum first met 52 years ago, and to catch up with work, email, shopping for supplies, etc. Mum took me for a nice walk around the lake again (like last night) while Dad cleared some client work backlog. Our host Elisabeth came home for lunch from her work at the Sami Museum, and we joined Uno and her - but I got nothing! The highlight of the day for me was late afternoon when their two daughters came with their families for supper. There were two twins aged 11, and too smaller kids, who all seemed to love me and made a big fuss of me. Heaven! ![[07-GNT - 4.jpeg]] For Mum and Dad it was a really wonderful time. ![[07-GNT - 1.jpeg]] ![[07-GNT - 2.jpeg]] Dad particularly enjoyed his chats in their excellent English with the two male partners - Max, a policeman who recounted his experiences in his work in the region; and Jesper, a welder and mechanic. Jesper said that the proposed iron ore mine at Kallas would bring him a lot of work if it ever happens, but that he completely understands the opposition to it. The other highlight was getting some small leftovers of the delicious meal of reindeer fillet which Uno had lovingly prepared. Sadly I was not given any of the dessert of hjortron parfait and Mum's rhubarb crumble. Life is not fair. Before bed Dad took me for an empty out. We were impressed with the Sami sculpture park and particularly this installation: ![[07-GNT - 3.jpeg]] This stone, called "Guest", was brought from Kautokeino in Norway. Most people share that experience of being a guest, an outsider, a stranger, not belonging. But this guest, this stone, stands in the middle of something as any person stands in the center of their existence. The sculpture leads to a search, a pilgrimage, and can be seen as a reflection of the search for him or herself, or after a "something". The question may seem a cliche but is, nevertheless, relevant: what is the actual goal, the way or the ending place? The form of the labyrinth reminds us of the shape of the Sámi drum which was the tool used by the shaman. Phew, that was a lot for me to take in! << [[The GNT, Day 6 - Arvidsaur to Jokkmokk]] | [[The GNT, Day 8 - Jokkmokk to Karesuando]] >>