Storfjorden

As we awoke, we found ourselves in Storfjorden. Our intent was to look for ice. We were told that in looking for ice we may well see seals and, if we see seals, we may see polar bears.

Look and see, see and look. The dictionary defines look as to “perceive with attention” as in… they looked over the expanse of land. The definition of see is to “have the power to perceive by sight”, as in… you have to be a good observer to see all the details. Many times we look and do not see. We strived to see.

We found one thin band of ice after looking all morning, and on that thin band of ice we were able to see, truly see a beautiful polar bear. The National Geographic Explorer was skillfully and slowly brought as close as possible to give us a quality view of this magnificent sea mammal. It is very important to move slowly, cautiously and purposely in order to see.

After a good long look, we did see. We realized that not only did we see…but we were seen. We were looked at directly ….and in turn, we were seen. It seems that polar bears also look and see!

One enters the Arctic waters of Svalbard hoping to look and see. When we are also seen…we leave changed, never to be the same, never to look at things the same way. We see things differently.