Senja, Norway. June 2014
Carrying a native American flute, Brazilian coffee, a wooden cup and a knife of the sami people and a heavy south west English accent, Jeff Allen paddled his way in an Aleutian Iqyax (Baidarka), self built, he had paddled all of the Norwegian Coastline from Southern Sweden to Nordkap in the far North.
I know Jeff from various symposiums in
Israel and love the way he teaches. But it was an amazing experience to be on a
tour in Norway with him after he had already paddled this area for 4 years.
During the day we were following Jeff,
paddling through the wonderful Fijords of Senja. discovering the wonders of Senja's
landscape and weather.
Every break the soft music played by
Jeff was somehow there.
During the nights, having day light 24
hours, a small group of us went to explore more, hiking up the wonderful
mountains of Senja, looking at things from another perspective.
One of the nights, walking between the alpine lakes about Mefjordvaer
village, Jeff was walking to his quiet corners, while we were running on small
wooden path ways, from lake to lake, from one amazing valley to another. And
every time we thought he must be far, we would hear the flute again. Like magical strings were coming out of
Jeff's music, bonding us in a unique experience in such a special place. When I would finally go to sleep for 2
hours I would hear the flute in my mind.
I have learned much from Jeff paddling
wise during the years I had joined his lessons, but a week like this opens up a
possibility to learn more then paddling. As a guide myself, much of the lessons
were carried on to support me in my everyday work and every
now and then, when the group around me had gone to sleep and the world is
quiet, I can hear Jeff's soft flute playing circling the world from ocean to
ocean, climbing new peaks and traveling through the clouds above them, leaving a
hint of taste from that unique experience.
