102 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL This past February, I paused along Bryggen, a historic wooden waterfront district in Bergen, Norway, on my way north to the Arctic Circle in search of the northern lights. Bergen is one of the oldest port cities in Northern Europe, and its Bryggen district burned down several times over the centuries but was rebuilt every time using the original medieval timber and building techniques. Between visits to the various historic sites, reading the Journal was an excellent way to linger in the cozy, colorful cafés, some nestled in narrow alleyways, also part of Bryggen’s unique charm. n Nikki Gamer is AFSA’s communications and outreach director, leading media relations and helping tell the story of the Foreign Service to U.S. audiences. She has traveled to more than 50 countries and lives in Baltimore with her husband and two dogs. She took this photograph with an iPhone 14 Plus. Please submit your favorite, recent photograph to be considered for Local Lens. Images must be high resolution (at least 300 dpi at 8” x 10”, or 1 MB or larger) and must not be in print elsewhere. Include a short description of the scene/ event as well as your name, brief biodata, and the type of camera used. Send to locallens@afsa.org. BY NIKKI GAMER n BERGEN, NORWAY LOCAL LENS
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