Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Dreaming of Polar Night in Svalbard

Starting point is 00:00:00 Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and premium members. If you'd like to listen ad free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for 7 days by following the link in the episode notes. Now a quick word from our sponsors. This is an ad for better help. Welcome to the world.

Starting point is 00:00:31 Please read your personal owner's manual thoroughly. In it, you'll find simple instructions for how to interact with your fellow human beings and how to find happiness and peace of mind. Thank you and have a nice life. Unfortunately, life doesn't come with an owner's manual. That's why there's BetterHelp online therapy. Connect with a credentialed therapist by phone,

Starting point is 00:00:51 video or online chat. Visit betterhelp.com to learn more. That's betterH-E-L-P.com. Welcome to Get Sleepy. Where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. I'm your host Thomas, and it is a pleasure to have your company tonight and whenever you tune in. This evening's story was beautifully written by Joe Steer and it's a real heart-warmer.

Starting point is 00:01:28 Recording it really got me in the mood for the colder, darker months that are to come for us here in the Northern Hemisphere and I hope it will help you to embrace the coming seasons too. too. In just a few moments, we'll head to Svalbard, Norway, where a woman is visiting her brother. He's made a home in the town of Longyearby moments that bring warmth and comfort. And after a hike through the snow, they'll witness something unforgettable, the last sunrise of the year. So, let's take some time to transition towards sleep and embrace the warmth and coziness of our beds. Begin by making yourself as comfortable as can be, and once you're settled in a good spot, feel how the surface below and the covers across your body gradually absorb the warmth of your body heat, creating a bit of a cocoon for you to rest

Starting point is 00:03:11 in. The day is now at its end. Whatever you've done with your day, it's time to leave it in the past and to bring your awareness fully into the present moment. Allow your body to be held, cradled by the warming support of your bed. And take some slower, more intentional breaths for a few moments. Just as your body warms the bed, it has the same effect on that nourishing air that you draw in. If you place your hand under your nose, you can quite literally feel how the air you breathe

Starting point is 00:04:17 in is cool and refreshing, and the air you exhale back out is a little warmer having circulated around the inner heat of your body. That breath provides you with the oxygen your body needs as the amazing natural flow and energy within continues to help you thrive. Take this greater sense of warmth and comfort with you into the night foot with you into the night and enjoy this beautiful story I'm about to share. Remember, you can drift off at any time. There's always the option of coming back and listening again another night. So now, there's nothing left to do but follow my voice as we head to Svalbard where a collection of islands in the Arctic Ocean, located between Norway and the North Pole. The largest of these islands is Spitsbergen.

Starting point is 00:06:21 It's the only one to be permanently inhabited. On the west coast, it's home to Long Yirbyen. This charming arctic town has a claim to fame as the northernmost settlement in the world. settlement in the world. It's a place of extremes in terms of climate with over half the land covered in glaciers. In summer, the town experiences 24-hour sunlight, revealing stunning views of glistening white mountains and green tundra. But in winter, the sun disappears for over three months, and the temperature often drops to minus 20 degrees Celsius or minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit. These are all things that Radha has learned as part of her research and through conversations with her brother, Artem. Artem, or Art for short, has made a home

Starting point is 00:07:52 in this unlikeliest of places, living and working in Longierbien. He moved there from Poland after getting a job in adventure tourism. Art leads various expeditions, taking tourists around on a snowmobile. Radha wasn't sure how he'd cope so far north, in a place so remote with just a few thousand people. She'd worried that he might struggle with the cold, dark winters, or that he'd miss the creature comforts he'd grown used to. But judging from their phone calls, her brother is thriving. He's been out there for a year and a half, and he seems in no hurry to leave the Arctic. He doesn't even mind the Polar Night, the name given to Svalbard's darkest season. This is when the sun dips below the horizon, and there's no true daylight.

Starting point is 00:09:30 Art describes it as a magical time of year. Everything slows down and he sleeps longer and deeper. longer and deeper. In fact, he'd say that it's his favorite season, which is why he suggested she visit in late October. On her brother's advice, Radha timed her trip to have three days of daylight, followed by a week of winter darkness. She caught a flight to mainland Norway and then another to Svalbard, where her plane landed a short while ago. On her flight, Radha thought herself extremely fortunate to catch sight of the sun. The golden orb shone through the plane windows, teetering above a blanket of fluffy white clouds. She describes the view to her brother minutes after they have met in the airport lobby. Art smiles knowingly as she gushes about the sunrise with a look that suggests he

Starting point is 00:11:07 understands her perfectly. This, he explains, is what he loves about Svalbard. Everything out here is more beautiful, more cherished. Sunshine can feel magical even for just a moment when you know that the sun is soon going into hiding. Maybe it's because resources are more limited out here, or because life in extremes makes you see what's important. But it's easy to appreciate the simplest of pleasures, from the feel of warm water to the flickering of a candle. Art promises his sister that she'll learn this firsthand over the course of her stay, and with that he leads her out to the car park where they set off on the snowmobile.

Starting point is 00:12:30 Straight away, Radar understands what her brother meant about life's simple pleasures somehow enhanced. She's never seen snow this white and dazzling, nor has she ever tasted such fresh air. She drinks it in like a glass of cool water. Radha is glad that she wrapped up warm in her coziest winter clothing, with hat, scarf, and gloves. The vehicle's cushioned seat doesn't look all that special, but it's so comfortable. Rada feels as if she's flying as they glide across the landscape. She's grateful that her brother is such a skilled driver and very used to navigating the island. She reasons that Art's dog appreciates this too. Rollo trails behind them in his very own snow coach. It's an enclosed capsule that protects its contents from the cold and is pulled behind the snowmobile. According to art, these coaches are used throughout Svalbard to transport anything from people to possessions.

Starting point is 00:14:25 to transport anything from people to possessions. Every now and then, Art turns a corner and Radar looks back, catching sight of the coach behind him. Art packed her suitcase in the boot of the coach while Rollo is on a rug in the main part of the carriage. The chocolate brown husky looks out through the window like a canine celebrity being driven by chauffeurs. Art adores his dog. He brought Rollo with him when he moved from Poland. The husky is well suited to life in the Arctic and has taken to Svalbard even better than his owner. Art named him Rollo, which means famed wolf, but the dog is more like a big teddy bear.

Starting point is 00:15:49 bear. He's sweet and soft-natured and he loves nothing more than to be petted or cuddled. Rollo accompanies the or inside in comfort, the husky stays with them like their own fluffy shadow. When they head out on the snowmobile, Rollo follows in his coach, keeping warm and cozy in his heated compartment. Then when they pull to a stop, he jumps out happily, as eager as they are to explore the wilderness. The joyful husky trots beside Art and Radha as they walk in skis across bright white plains, and he speeds to a jog where there are slopes and the siblings are able to glide on their skis. When Art takes Radha to see a nearby glacier, Rolo runs ahead, keen to explore. They follow his paw prints, leaving their own tracks, the only markings across a pristine white blanket.

Starting point is 00:17:35 Soon after this, they're examining the glacier and marveling at the beauty of the rugged wall of ice when the dog begins barking to get their attention. And they see that he's discovered a hidden little cove. Rollo stands guard while they wander through the grotto, using head torches and flashlights to examine the interior. And he wags his tail happily when they emerge from the entrance, seeking cuddles as if they haven't seen him for days. Later, at the local cafe, the husky is calmer. He lies at their feet as they talk over coffee. feet as they talk over coffee. The siblings are so absorbed in their conversation that if it weren't for his snoring, they might forget he was there. Radha and her brother are very different people, and until recently you wouldn't have called them close.

Starting point is 00:19:13 Ironically, this changed when Art moved to Svalbard, and the siblings made more effort to stay connected. Over the past year and a half, they've talked more than ever via email, messaging, phone calls, and video chat. Svalbard is home to research stations and satellites so its residents enjoy access to high speed internet, though there's just no substitute for meeting up in person, enjoying Enjoying each other's company for ten whole days. Art has been a warm and generous host, as well as an organized tour guide. He's planned out a range of things for them to do, places to go, and activities they might try. But he's also being careful not to overdo it, should they want to be spontaneous or simply to relax. Now it's Radha's third day in Svalbard and the last day of

Starting point is 00:20:54 sunlight before Polar Night begins. There will be only a little more than an hour of daylight in total, and Art knows the times for both sunrise and sunset. They've decided to head out for a hike in the darkness to the top of a hill right above the town. They should be there in time for the sunrise. After taking in the view, they'll make use of the daylight as they head back down. Perhaps they'll make a stop at the local supermarket and grab some essentials before retreating to the cabin. There, they'll watch the sunset through the large windows, and later they'll have friends over to celebrate the winter and sip hot chocolate by the fire. This plan for the day was decided this morning at the kitchen table,

Starting point is 00:22:32 over scrambled eggs on toast and mugs of sweet tea. Radha made the breakfast, while her brother made the tea, adding milk and sugar exactly to her liking. No one would think, watching the brother and sister, that they hadn't seen each other for a year and a half. They are lively, yet relaxed in each other's company, and often, their movements seem in sync. Radha already knows her way around the cabin and takes things to the dishwasher without being asked. The cabin has water, but it's a limited resource. The dishwasher uses less than washing up. This, in fact, was a recent upgrade, along with the installation of a water tank and shower. Before, Art had to head into town whenever he wanted a hot shower. Radha is grateful that this is no longer the case as she heads to the bathroom after breakfast. Even with the tank, water remains precious, and as Radha showers, she listens out for the sounds. The cabin's

Starting point is 00:24:32 water system has a charming little jingle ringing out for every five liters Radha had assumed that the showers here would be rushed, but while she's under the water for less time than usual, the experience is much nicer than she could ever have imagined. Perhaps it's because she knows the water is such a precious resource, or because the cold outside makes the warmth feel even better. Either way, Radha appreciates every moment and every drop of water. Once she's got dressed in her warm, cozy clothes, she comes out to find Art filling her backpack. He's also strapped crampons around the base of her snow boots. The spikes will add friction so that she doesn't slip. The siblings layer up in their thickest gloves and scarves before sliding their arms into warm winter coats. On their heads go wooly hats followed by head torches,

Starting point is 00:26:20 and they both have walking poles which loop around their wrists. There's just one more thing to take with them, and it seems that they've saved the best for last. Rollo is pacing around in the hallway, wagging his tail at the prospect of a walk. It's nearly 11am, and they have just over an hour until the sun rises for the last time. Outside the cabin, the skies are dark and the world is near silent. Radha is glad that she dressed in layers and that her socks, gloves, and hat have a warm fleece lining. Though there isn't much wind, the Svalbard air is bracing. It awakens the senses. Art lives on the edge of town, right beside a hill that overlooks along Yirbian. He promises his sister that she'll warm up quickly once they begin their trek up the snowy incline. And so, off they go, their footsteps crunching across snow and ice. The white ground is dazzling, especially beneath the spotlight of Radha's head torch.

Starting point is 00:28:32 beneath the spotlight of Radar's head torch. It's a route that Art walks often with Rollo, and the Siberian Husky is happy to lead the way. His winter coat appears thick and fuzzy, and from a distance he looks like a snow-speckled pom-pom. The playful animal seems made for winter. He loves nothing more than being out in the snow, and he's comfortable in temperatures of up to minus 50 Celsius. When he isn't right beside him trotting through the snow, he's jogging ahead to survey the route. Then, he'll sit and wait patiently for the siblings to catch up. Every now and then, Rollo makes use of these moments by sniffing, digging, and playing in the snow. Sometimes he creates a mini snowstorm. He does this now, a few meters above the siblings, causing it to snow along the section they walk on. Radha and Art laugh like children, feeling as if they have their very own snow cloud. This is just one of a handful of moments that Radha has determined to commit to memory. Radha has determined to commit to memory. She knows she'll remember being out here with her brother in the midst of what feels like a scene inside a snow

Starting point is 00:30:35 globe, and she's unlikely to forget the freshness of the air. Each cleansing breath seems more peaceful than the last. Then there's the feeling of hiking up the snow-covered hill, propelled by the walking poles that she angles just behind her. The pair keep a gentle pace as the darkness and the snow force their concentration. It's a pleasure for Radha to do one thing at a time, to be wholly absorbed by the action of walking. She's rarely as present as she is right now. Her mind seems clearer with each passing moment. As her brother had promised, the exercise is warming despite their slow and steady pace. There's something quite wonderful about being out in cold weather, yet awash in feelings of warmth and comfort.

Starting point is 00:32:15 And not long afterwards, they reach the summit of the hill. Rollo greets them on the high up plateau and leads them to a spot where they can best watch the sunrise. Although Radha has already caught glimpses of the town below, caught glimpses of the town below, none have quite prepared her for this view. It looks like a scene from a film or a painting, or indeed like a model in the center of a snow globe. Lights shine out from the inside of buildings and from other outdoor lighting that runs below roofs. A veil of yellow gold stretches out across the land, gold stretches out across the land, illuminating the town and the snow-white valley. Roads are lit up by street lamps. They weave across the land like ribbons of white light, and some of the illumination is reflected across Adventfjoren or Advent Bay to the north of Longyearbyen. The remoteness of the town is more apparent from the hilltop,

Starting point is 00:34:09 of the town is more apparent from the hilltop, but it also looks peaceful and welcoming, like a safe haven at the edge of the world. Radha marvels, awestruck at the view while her brother is busy unpacking their supplies. He's brought fold-out chairs and a flask of hot chocolate, which he shares with his sister once they're both sitting down. He's also brought dog treats to Rollo's delight. The husky's tail begins wagging the moment he sees them. He holds out a paw and shakes Art's hand before receiving a pat and a handful of dog chews. The husky settles down on the snow between their chairs. Meanwhile, the siblings chat over sips of hot chocolate, the perfect antidote to the winter chill. Art tells Radha that fewer than 3,000 people live in Longirbian,

Starting point is 00:35:43 and not a single one was born in Svalbard. Because it's so remote, babies can't be born here. Pregnant women must travel to mainland Norway weeks before their due date. Norway weeks before their due date. What that means, says Art, is that everyone is a guest. Every single resident has chosen to live here. There are more than 40 different nationalities represented on the island, which gives it the feel of a holiday resort. Nature lovers, dog owners, adventurers, and explorers are among the like-minded souls who've come to live in Svalbard. Many prefer a simpler way of life, stripped of the extravagances that elsewhere might

Starting point is 00:36:58 seem important. The community as a whole is not materialistic. People here place far more value on the kindness of strangers. There's even a shop where you can drop off unwanted items and people can take them free of charge. In fact, the drink tastes even sweeter. Radha savours the taste of her hot chocolate as the siblings fall silent and enjoy the sunrise. They arrived on the summit just five minutes ago, but already, the sky looks lighter. It brightens gradually, giving way to shades of pink and sapphire. Eventually, the horizon displays a hint of orange-yellow where the sun is rising behind a distant glacier. The daylight reveals a sky peppered with clouds as white and fluffy as balls of cotton

Starting point is 00:38:48 wool, and the snow in the valley is clearer to the eye with each passing moment. The town is more visible too, the snow-covered buildings, roads, and pylons. Art points out the spire of a church and a complex near the seafront, Svalbard's University. The Global Seed Vault is a few miles to the west, a striking gray building carved into the hillside. It's a backup facility housing a million crop seeds from all around the world, protecting some of the world's biodiversity. A few small fishing boats are out on Advent Bay, sailing across the water that looks calm and clear. They cruise against a backdrop of mountains and glaciers,

Starting point is 00:40:17 visible across the water behind a thin sheet of mist. behind a thin sheet of mist. More hills and mountains rise up around the town, appearing whiter and more radiant in the glow of daylight. Radha spots a pair of reindeer in the distance, lounging happily on the slope of a mountain. In town, she recognizes familiar buildings, like the North Pole Expedition Museum, with a polar bear on its front. There's also the clothes shop beside the spa where she's seen a scarf that she likes the look of. It's easy to spot places in a town of this size.

Starting point is 00:41:32 There's just 50 kilometers of road across the whole settlement. There aren't any forests because it's too far north for trees here, so the valley in winter is a blank white canvas. Colorful buildings stand out against the snow, inide chalets, each painted in soothing pastel tones. Art's cabin is at the end of such a row. It's one of a kind with its bright yellow walls. Radha would say that the walls are a shade of butterscotch, but to art, they're the color of morning sunlight.

Starting point is 00:42:41 At least he'll have this, he says with a chuckle, when the sun is hidden beneath the horizon. The yellow cabin certainly looks inviting, especially now that they've emptied their flask. Rada imagines herself among cushions and blankets, warm and cozy, beside the log fire. They've only been sitting here for 10 or 15 minutes, but Art's backpack is now semi-frozen. This is their cue to get moving, so all three, including Rollo, stand up for a stretch. Art gets to work in packing away the chairs, while Radar and Rollo wander towards a rock mound. A sheltered box has been secured to the stone. In it is a guest book for visitors to sign. Radha scans the pages for her brother's name and finds it listed countless times. He signs himself in every time he comes here, leaving sweet messages from both him and Rollo. Radha decides to write a message for future visitors, sending greetings and good wishes

Starting point is 00:44:48 sending greetings and good wishes from the last sunrise at the edge of the world. Then, she returns the items and closes the latch before rejoining her brother. Art is holding the seat covers from their chairs and wearing a look of playful mischief. He says that the easiest and quickest way down is to slide down the slope. So that's what they do. With the seat covers beneath them, they slide down the hill, over the footprints that they left coming up. Both brother and sister laugh like children, feeling twenty years younger as they toboggan along the snow. The husky keeps pace, trotting happily beside them. The gradient is mild, so they side nice and gently. Their descent down the hill is so much fun and takes a fraction of the time that it took to climb up it. Half an hour later, they are back in the cabin, having made a quick stop at the

Starting point is 00:46:33 supermarket. Art stocked up on coffee and hot chocolate, and bought some fresh cod caught only this morning. They'll cook the fish for dinner later and serve it on a bed of creamy mashed potato. Art has invited a few friends around for food, drinks, board games, and chit chat. He's eager for his friends to meet his sister, and for her to experience first hand the warmth of those who live here. He's never lived among such good-natured people. They are kind and jolly, no matter what the weather. And what better way to mark the beginning of the dark season to mark the beginning of the dark season than by spending time with friends and family. They'll toast to the Polar Knight, saying Skol with raised glasses,

Starting point is 00:48:05 their faces illuminated by candles and firelight. Little over an hour ago, Rada and Art were sitting on the hilltop, enjoying the daybreak between sips of hot chocolate. Now, they're sitting in the living room of the cozy little cabin, watching the sun's descent below the horizon. They toast this final sunset clinking together mugs of sweet milky coffee. The Sun won't be seen again until early March when people gather for the annual Sun Fest. Residents will celebrate the sun's official return once rays of sunlight reach the steps of the hospital. But Art is in no hurry to get through the winter. This is his season to rest and recharge.

Starting point is 00:49:28 It seems that Rollo has the same idea as he comes to sleep between the siblings. Radha enjoys the flavors of the coffee and the warmth it brings from her head to her feet. She curls her toes inside thick, fairy socks, before lifting up her legs to lounge on the sofa. her legs to lounge on the sofa. The log fire fizzes and crackles in the stove. Through a window in the stove door, she can see the flames dancing across the logs. The light emitted is a soft golden yellow. She basks in its warmth, which oozes out to her right, while at her left side, the husky is just as warm and soothing. Radha is struck by a feeling of togetherness

Starting point is 00:50:55 as she savours this moment with her brother and his dog. and his dog. For the most part, they sit in comfortable silence, content to appreciate their senses and surroundings. They watch as the sun disappears beneath the mountains, as the sun disappears beneath the mountains and daylight is replaced with the colors of polar twilight. The blend of pinks and purples turns to a shade of violet blue. The colors today are rich and gorgeous, deepened by the snow clouds that fill the sky. Radha would have said it couldn't get any better, but according to her brother, it will soon begin snowing. Hearing this forecast, she grins from ear to ear, reclining back into the cushions all around her. shining back into the cushions all around her. She reaches for a blanket, tucking herself in and snuggling into the fabric. But she leaves an arm out and rests a hand on Rollo's soft fur. She can feel the dog's

Starting point is 00:52:50 breathing vibrating through his body. He's as relaxed and comfy as it's possible to be. Art has lit candles all around the room, and they make the cabin feel even cozier. Radha can see them reflected in the windows, and more so every minute as the sky grows darker. She can see herself, too, looking relaxed beside the sleeping husky with her brother next to him. She ponders that Art has never looked so happy. Then, her attention is pulled back to the window. Then, her attention is pulled back to the window. The first flakes of snow have started to fall. Her mind is absorbed by the beauty of Svalbard and the flicker of firelight and start the video. You You You You The You You You You You The I'm going to go ahead and close the video. You You You. you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Dreaming of Polar Night in Svalbard

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.