Greenland national anthem
"Nunarput Utoqqarsuanngoravit"

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The best ten years of our lives.

From 1969 till 1979 my wife, daughter and I lived in Greenland.

The Royal Greenland Trade Department (KGH) sent me out from Denmark.

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The first place you see when arriving in Greenland

is the airport of Søndre Strømfjord (Kangerlussuaq),

the international airport in Greenland.

(Used to be an American military base as well.)

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The air in Greenland is more clean and fresh than anywhere else and is almost more

than your body can take after the long journey from Denmark.

DC8 aeroplains from SAS, Denmark and Sikorsky S61 helicopter
from Greenland Air Lines in front of the hotel in Søndre Strømfjord.

All the years I worked for KGH (Now called KNI

and owned by the local Greenlandic government.

I started out as a warehouseman in Godthåb (Nuuk).

Later on we moved to Egedesminde (Aasiaat)

where I once again was a warehouseman.

Out on a long trip on dog sledge with a friend in the mountains around Egedesminde.
Sledging with a team of sledge dogs requires good practice and being in good shape.
Many have the erroneous impression that sledging means sitting comfortably
on the sledge which is far from the case.
On the contrary you run alongside, behind or in front of the dogs
to animate and encourage them.
(Sledging is a wonderful experience, which should be granted everyone.)

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One day a shop-manager was need in Sukkertoppen ((Maniitsoq)

to replace an employee on sick leave.

I was supposed to stay there for five months

but the period expanded to eight months.

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Afterwards I was offered the job as a warehouse manager

in Julianehåb (Qaqortoq) and we moved down there.

Central Julianehåb – the old part.

I was surprised to find out that the warehouse kept timber.

After three months I was told by KGH, Copenhagen,

to go Holsteinsborg (Sisimiut) and work in a warehouse.

That turned out to be a mistake made somewhere

in the personnel department in Copenhagen and our

stay in Holsteinsborg did not last more than a month

which we spent in the seamen’s home in town.

(We have a god time, and just act like tourist).

The “new” seamen’s home in Holsteinsborg.

Then we went back to Godthåb where I managed

a hardware, shoe and furniture shop.

We spent the last seven years

of our stay on Greenland in Godthåb.

The old church in Godthåb.

The last five years I only worked in a new furnishing store.

We had a splendid time with many good friends

both among other Danes and local Greenlanders

(many of which we continue to stay in touch

and share a close friendship with).

Hans Egedes house by the old colony harbour in Godthåb.

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Our daughter, who was seven years old

when we first came to Greenland,

she started school there.

This photo was taken on our daughter Helle’s
(wearing the bright coat) first day of school.

The first day of school is a great day
for the children in Greenland.
Family and friends bring presents for the child
and have the traditional coffee (kaffemik).
Everybody who has one, wear his or her
national costume on this occasion.
The tradition of celebrating the child’s first day of school
has its origins back when the infant mortality
rate was high in Greenland.
If the child made it to school age
the most critical years were passed
and the child was likely to survive.

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Back then, ouer daughter, start school

classes were divided into all Greenlandic classes

and mixed Greenlandic and Danish classes.

In spite of all of our moving around

our daughter found it easy to fit

in at the different schools.

Helle wearing a national costume we borrowed.
The photo was for that year’s Christmas cards to family and friends.
The photo on the left shows the mountains of Sermitsiak;
the landmark of Godthåb.
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My wife Mille first worked as a nursing aide

in the children’s department of the hospital in Godthåb.

Helle visiting her mother at work on Christmas Eve.

Mille worked as a child-minder in Egedesminde and Sukkertoppen.

In Julianehåb she helped out at the seamen’s home.

Even though our stay in Holsteinsborg

only lasted a month she still helped at the seamen’s home.

When we returned to Godthåb Mille get employment

as dental hygienist for all the school children.

During the last five years of our stay in Greenland

Mille was a saleswoman at an optician/jeweller.

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Leisure.

The absolutely unique, beautiful and amazing nature in Greenland

is impossible to describe and must be experienced.

The air is clean and clear with very little humidity.

“Millionær Barakken - Godthåb"

"The millionaire hut" (Just a slang word). In fact it was a very expensiv block flath).
Here we lived, boat the first and the sekond time we live in Godthåb.
A lovely flat with a view that stretched far out on the open sea.
( I always kept my binoculars in the windowsill. )

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A sail in to one of the many deep fiords

where you would see both seals and whales

is something I will never forget.