Northern Lights

Prior to coming to Harstad, I did some research on the town to know what I was getting myself into.  One of the main attractions of the Northern part of Norway is the ability to see the northern lights.  Although I didn't know much about the Northern lights prior, I have seen them once Canada.  It may be more than that, but it has been a long time since I have seen them.  Regardless two nights ago the sky was clear, and my international friends invited me along, in international fashion.  They knocked on my bedroom window and yelled, "we are going to see the northern lights, want to come?"  So off we went hiking, and they were absolutely beautiful.  They were so bright and changed frequently, it was one of the most magnificent sites that I have ever seen.  They were very difficult to take pictures of, so I managed to get some from my friends who had cameras that were more advanced than mine.  Apparently this is one of the best years to see them.  Here are some shots that my friends got.