Tromsø Local Custom Tips by FletteMette

The spark (or sparkstøtting) is a pretty common sight in Tromsø in the winter months. (I saw three of them parked outside the supermarket today!)

This really is the perfect way to get around on icy or snow-covered roads - and loads of people, especially older ladies, can be seen whizzing around in Tromsø on their sparkstøtting whenever the road conditions are spark-friendly. The lady in my photo demonstrates quite perfect spark-technique: stand on one runner (on the footrest), and kick backwards on the ground with the other foot. (Spark is *kick* in Norwegian) When going downhill, stand with one foot on each runner - the runners are quite flexible, and you can to some degree steer the spark by leaning to the side and twisting the handlebars. Be aware that there are no brakes!!;o)

The seat can be used for transporting shopping bags - or a grandchild. A very environmentally friendly means of transportation - and it's fun, too!

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Stockfish, fish (usually cod) that is dried on racks (called "hjell") outdoors, is produced along the coast of Northern Norway, and in Lofoten in particular. Some stockfish is also produced in Tromsø and surroundings - not huge amounts, like in Lofoten, but if you're in the Tromsø area in winter or spring, you might come across these racks, for example on Sommarøy. (See my "off the beaten path" tip for more about Sommarøy)

The cod is split open, and left to dry for around three months, without salt - around 80% of the water in the fish evaporates. Much of the Norwegian stockfish is exported, and quite a bit is used to produce the infamous "lutefisk", a jelly-like dish often eaten around Christmas time - but some of the stockfish also ends up in the supermarkets in Tromsø, where it's sold as snacks! Lots of locals in northern Norway enjoy munching on small pieces of dried stockfish, and
you'll find small bags of stockfish (Tørrfisk in Norwegian) in most supermarkets in the Tromsø area. Try some if you're feeling brave. ;o)

Oh, the smell isn't particularly pleasant, and it's probably a good idea to avoid eating stockfish before going on a date.. ;o)

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In Northern Norway, seagull eggs are a seasonal delicacy, that should be enjoyed with a pint of Mack beer. Seagull eggs are gathered in late April / early May - and traditionally this was a good source of some extra income for the farmers & fishermen along the coast. Seagulls normally lay three eggs - and when one or two eggs are gathered from the nest, the bird will lay another. The locals know which eggs to choose - the freshest egg in the nest has a lighter colour than the others, and since newly laid eggs are sticky it might have grass and feathers attached.

Seagull eggs are quite large, and need to boil for around 10-20 minutes. The eggs are usually served with butter & bread. The beer to drink with seagull eggs comes from Mack's brewery in Tromsø.

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Giant hogweed, in Norway called "Tromsø Palm" - Heracleum laciniatum - can be seen all over Tromsø. This huge weed can reach several meters in height, and the toxic sap can, in combination with sunlight, cause painful blisters on your skin.

The Tromsø Palm is not a natural part of the northern Norwegian flora - it was introduced to the town as a garden plant about 100 years ago, but spread rapidly and is now so common it has become one of the town's symbols - and it is frequently pictured on postcards.

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The University of Tromsø has since its opening in 1972 been the world's northernmost university - and today it has around 6500 students.

Not surprisingly, for a University situated at 70 degrees North, in a town nicknamed "The gateway to the Arctic", from where Nansen, Amundsen, Nobile and Andrée set off for their polar expeditions, much of the research activities are focused on the Arctic - with areas including the Aurora Borealis / space research, Sami culture and fisheries.

A wide range of subjects are available to the students - anything from medicine to history can be studied here. The University also cooperates with the University Centre in Svalbard/Spitsbergen (UNIS) - where students may take various very popular courses in Arctic education (Arctic biology, geology, geophysics & technology), whilst going polar bear watching in their spare time...;-)

The University of Tromsø is well-known for its active student community, and the relatively high number of students here means that students are very much noticeable in the town's many cafés and pubs.

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Phone: +47 77644000
Website: http://uit.no/
Other Contact: http://www.unis.no