The question in my page-a-day trivia calendar today states that most people know about the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, but who knows what the Southern Lights (yes they are real) are called. The answer is Aurora Australis. While this was very interesting, it only served to reminded me of a triple frustration in my travels. Three times I have been in places where Northern or Southern Lights are supposed to be visible and I have never seen them. I will admit that I knew it wasn't likely in Alaska or New Zealand because in each case the time of year wasn't the best. But it could have happened and it didn't. But the third time was during our trip to Finland (a lovely country full of friendly people). During that trip we spent a some days north of the Arctic Circle in the part of Lapland situated within Finland's borders. We were led to believe that March is an excellent time to see the Northern Lights. It may be true, there were many beautiful photographs on the walls of the dining room. We stayed in a little cabin with a glass half dome over the bedroom area. The theory being that when the Northern Lights were shining an alarm would sound, waking everyone in the resort so we could gaze up at them through our glass roof. It never happened. One evening they loaded us all in a bus and drove us way out in the dark for a sighting but all we saw were stars. It was a glorious view of the stars, but not a glimmer of any other heavenly lights. The most memorable night was when we took a sleigh ride. Let me tell you, riding through the sub-zero night in a one-reindeer open sleigh (even with deer skin blankets) was the coldest I have ever been in my life. I survived, but alas, no Northern Lights. Ah well, at least I got to meet the real Santa Claus.
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