At the Sami in Karasjok

Via the European Route 6 (E6) we drive along the border river between Finland and Norway, the Kárášjohka, to the main settlement areas of the Sami people in Norway. Ice floes are still drifting on the raging river and mountains of ice and snow are piling up meters high on its banks.

We stay overnight in the town of Karasjok, the seat of the Sami Parliament Sameting. Here the Kárášjohka flows leisurely through the small town before it becomes the sometimes raging border river in the narrower passages between Norway and Finland.

We are lucky. Firstly, we arrive right at the start of the Norwegian National Day parade and are able to photograph the Sami people in their magnificent and colorful costumes. On the other hand, our hotel offers a corresponding buffet on this festive day, in which we can also take part. The crayfish are delicious.

Arguably the most famous of the Sami cultural achievements is the ski, which was used as early as 4,500 years ago. So it is not surprising that a corresponding monument in Karasjok also shows Sami on skis.

In the evening light snowfall sets in and, since we want to leave for the North Cape the next day, we hope that the roads will remain passable.