Mosquito land

The last week, warmth has come to Kiruna and Lapland, after much rain. With summer, also the mosquitos have come - as usual. A nuisance, I admit, but we get used to it. It seems to be much worse for visitors. And of course, they are a part of the arctic ecosystem. They are needed as much as any other animals. As someone has said, Kiruna is fantastic - 100 million mosquitos think so, so it must be true.
Nooit meer slapen - Never sleep again - the title of a book by the Dutch author WF Hermans. He describes a visit to Lapland, writes about the mosquitos, the midnight sun and the main character in the book does not like it, to use an understatement. Don't read the book before you have been to Lapland, I tell the Dutch - because after reading it you won't come. And that would be a pity.
Really, the arctic is beautiful in summer. Long days, and the small but beautiful arctic flowers are really exploding. Summer in the mountains is beautiful and I already look forward to a week in Hemavan (flora and geology week, see http://www.smufjallgard.nu/ - you are welcome to join in).