'When you've seen the world, there's always Greenland' goes the old travellers' saying.
Doing a little digging about Greenland....
Greenland is an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe (specifically Norway and Denmark, the colonial powers, as well as the nearby island of Iceland) for more than a millennium. The majority of its residents are Inuit (89%), whose ancestors began migrating from the Canadian mainland in the 13th century, gradually settling across the island.
Greenland is the world's largest island (Australia, although larger, is generally considered to be a continental landmass rather than an island). Three-quarters of Greenland is covered by the only permanent ice sheet outside Antarctica. With a population of about 56,480 (2013), it is the least densely populated country in the world. Per Wiki.
Greenland is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland remains a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government. They receive more than $3.4 BILLION IN "AID" (PER BUBBA WELFARE) PER YEAR FROM DENMARK = over $9000 per person. Surely this is a recipe for disaster long term?
Greenland is a little more than 3x the size of Texas.
CIA INFO:
ethnicity: Inuit 88%, Danish and other 12% (2010 est.)
ethnicity: Inuit 88%, Danish and other 12% (2010 est.)
religion:Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs
Greenland’s economy depends on exports of shrimp and fish, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. Fish account for over 90% of its exports, subjecting the economy to fluctuations in world demand. The subsidy from the Danish Government is budgeted to be about $535 million in 2017, more than 50% of government revenues, and 25% of GDP.
The economy is expanding after a period of decline. In 2016 the economy grew 4.6% compared to 1.1% in 2015 and negative growth in the years 2013-14. For 2017 the economy is expected to continue to expand at a more subdued rate. The expansion has been driven by larger quotas for shrimp, the predominant Greenlandic export, and also by increased activity in the construction sector, especially in Nuuk, the capital, where the harbor is being enlarged and a prison is under construction. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland has grown annually around 20% in 2015 and 2016, largely a result of increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season.
The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland's economy. During the last decade the Greenland Home Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The budget was in deficit in 2014 and 2016, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The government plans a balanced budget for the 2017–20 period.
Significant challenges face the island, including low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, lack of industry diversification, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Catches in fisheries have been declining in recent years. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices and currently only three mines are under development. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed.
Some U tube for your viewing:
https://www.forbes.com/sites
Rare Video Captures June/2017 Megatsunami Hitting Small Greenland Fishing Village
Greenland Is Melting Away - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/10/27/.../greenland-is-melting-away.html
Greenland Has The World's Highest Suicide Rate, And Teenage Boys ...
www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/.../the-arctic-suicides-its-not-the-dark-that-kills-you
A very wet and chilly sea day.
Pleep says there will be no need for his sunnies today either. Pleep, why did you need to bring 5 pair of sunglasses on your vacay?
Hugh gives us lecture time to learn more about Greenland. What do you know about Greenland? It would be accurate to say Boca's knowledge of Greenland on a 1-10 was a 1 before doing some digging for the trip....QUEEN Margarete of Denmark is their Queen, the have a 3 party coalition led government, the current President Kim Kielsen is 50 years old (a former policemen, then social worker), the vast majority of the indigenous (Inuits) were converted to Lutheran's by the Danes (as opposed to the Alaskan native Americans who were "converted" to Russian Orthodox)
Followed by a wake up coffee for Kilroy. Per Bubs- "like the cafe, good help and good coffee". Amen.
Practicing drone shots for the wedding.
A tour of the ships whack artwork continues....
"I am not feeling it Boca. Abstract deer?"
"This looks like the wall behind my bbq grilled".
"And the message is? What in the hell is this?"
"Three what?"
Even Pleep can't take it.
Now this is the art work Bubs enjoys.
It's either Bubba and Boca arm wrestling for the remote or hands of unity? Yeah, he who controls the remote rules.
Boca also likes a sea day now and then...she gets to watch some movies in her pj's with a little room service. Have you seen, "The Last Word" starring Shirley McClain (83 years old by the way)? Recently released and no box office hit but Boca loved it and watched it 2x. Short summary- Shirley was a successful business lady (owned an AD agency and one might say a bit of a control freak) and is diagnosed with a terminal illness. She wanted to have her obit written before she died so she hired the local newspaper obit writer to do so. Shirley finds out - no one- family, friends, work colleagues- could stand her. She then turns to the obit writer to help her craft an endearing ending and legacy to her life so the writer could write an endearing obit about Shirley. I have long thought about what would Boca's obit say- how did Boca live the DASH? In Naples we have some lengthy (1/2-3/4 of a page) obits- filled with stunning adoration and significant accomplishments of several of the residents. Humbling to say the least.I think my tomb stone might read "SHE MEANT WELL".
Note to self: BOCA, go for-"SHE DID WELL".
WHAT WILL YOURS SAY?
Another movie Boca enjoyed was "The Gifted". Have you seen this one? A family melodrama dealing with death, divorce, family angst and a very gifted child. "Frank is a single man raising a child prodigy - his spirited young niece Mary, in a coastal town in Florida. Frank's plans for a normal school life for Mary are foiled when the seven-year-old's mathematical abilities come to the attention of Frank's formidable mother, whose plans for her granddaughter threaten to separate Frank and Mary". Have you ever dealt with a gifted child? Or a special needs child? Why are our families so complex today? How often to you talk to your Mom? Dad? Sister? Brother? Aunts and Uncles? Cousins? In this day and age it is so simple and free to communicate, what is the hesitation? Time zone? Nah. For many folks today, friends are the new family.
No drama in your house, right?
A friend from Texas sent this pic-a baby calf recently born in Texas has a likeness to....a wonderful patriot and supporter of the military, veterans and Fisher Houses- Gene Simmons of Kiss of Course! And my dear pals, Irene and Arnie, were out with him one night and had him call Boca to say hi- knowing our love of the Fisher Houses- I wasn't sure who had too much to drink that night as I bumbled and blathered on in an acknowledgment of his big heart for the Military.
Another dear friend from Scotland sent this:
"You should be able to find Whale bone corset busts in Greenland and Iceland. Local antique shops. One more item for Nick and Alex to fight over!"
And another dear pal from Seattle sent this suggestion:
My beloved schnauzers: Molly Kay was Miniature and 14 lbs, very sweet and loyal, she lived 15 years, Then, Jaime Ray, holy crap, she was a tea cup at 10 lbs and a pistol, very happy and very smart. Steve claimed she was a terrorist, she lived 15 years and to this day we grieve her loss: She made us laugh and we cried at her passing and still today.
My suggestion, if you want a sturdy, small dog that is intensely loyal, it is the schnauzer, however, my dad said, when you buy a schnauzer you buy the bark. Molly wasn't a big barker, Jaime was world class, she also could sing " Happy Birthday" in a very high soprano with perfect pitch. Molly liked most people and was very serene, a lady for sure. Jaime was more selective, more curious, clever and always alert and ready for action.
Our Florida friend Dotty's Schnauzer babies: In my next life I want to come back as a Dot Doggie or Bob's Orchid. Is it better to get 2 pooches instead of one?
Our Florida friend Dotty's Schnauzer babies: In my next life I want to come back as a Dot Doggie or Bob's Orchid. Is it better to get 2 pooches instead of one?
Cioppino- alora!
Time for bed....still light out! Hey Bubs come on out here- I see an iceberg and yes I know 90% of it is under the water. "Boca, I bet you will see more very soon. You better start thinking about finding some socks for tomorrow. Good night Gracie".
