Longyearbyen Local Customs

Because of the threat of polar bears many people will (have to) carry guns with them, which is a necessary thing to do! But no guns are allowed inside any building - which is a very clever regulation as well!

Still it is quite unusual to see this kind of sign: "hey, please leave your gun outside...."! This picture was taken at the Longyearbyen post office.

This is a custom that you will find all over the northern European countries and it Svalabard does not make an exception from that rule: wherever you go and enter a building, you are kindly asked to take off your shoes! This held true for the tourist information, the church, the museum - quite unusual for me!

Okay, the supermarket, the post office, the restaurants can be accessed with shoes, but be prepared to see signs asking you to take off your shoes in quite a few places! But don't worry: very often there will be slippers waiting for you, so that you don't get cold feet!

Thi picture was taken at 10.45PM.
Outside of the church and bottom Pic is the inside of the church.

It was warm and calm the night sun was coming through the windows was it was a magical moment during the time we spent inside of the church's resting lounge.