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Greenland Take 2
This week we will explore museums, Viking influence, Inuit culture and gastronomy.
The gastronomy of Greenland is focused around the wildlife, be it on land or in the rich seas. The cool Arctic waters are rich in a diverse array of fish, from Greenlandic Halibut, cod, Arctic char, redfish and many others. Reindeer, Muskox, and South Greenlandic Lamb are Greenland’s succulent equivalents to common livestock. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try suaasat, seal soup and whale skin that will be on the menu.
The National Museum of Greenland is located in the capital Nuuk and has many artefacts related to archeology, history, art and handicrafts. Other museums are dotted in large towns and cities across the country, Qeqertarsuaq Museum is centred around life in the Colonial period when the colony Godhaven held a position of power. Sisimiut Museum tells many layers of history of the town and surrounding area. The museum is rich in archeological exhibits from the Saqqaq culture. The Bethelkirken, Greenland's oldest church is also found here.
If you're planning on visiting Upernavik, you will find the world's northernmost open-air museum in the old quarter. The museum consists of the old church, grocer's shop and all the original colonial buildings.
Inuit culture has an interesting history that dates back 1300 years, waves of immigrants from the Dorset culture to the Thule people who Brought the sled dogs. The Thule culture lives on till today and is ingrained in the fabric of Greenland and evident throughout.
The more recent influence of Vikings or Norsemen as they are known locally is especially prominent in the South of the country. Eric the Red settled as an Arctic farmer here and many travellers following the footsteps of Viking exploration head to Qassiarsuk to visit the Leif Ericsson (his son) statue overlooking the horizon.
Greenland is a country full of adventure, unique to the inhabitants, their traditions and way of life governed by the Arctic climate. If you choose to visit Greenland, make sure you know what you would like to explore and the best times of the year to do so to avoid disappointment.