God Påske- pronounced Goo Poska means Happy Easter, well, Good Easter would be the literal translation. Last week was the lead-up to Easter, and the world of Bergen shut down for a 5-day weekend, aside from those who had a 9-day weekend! Many businesses took the entire week off. You may be scratching your head thinking, “Are Norwegians religious?” Not at all! This holiday is an excuse to escape to cabins in the mountains, ski, enjoy nature, spend time with friends and families, and eat oranges and chocolate while sipping hot chocolate.
I was amazed to see that coffee shops, grocery stores, and shops were closed all but one of the five days. And I saw many Norwegians walking around town and sitting on the train with skis in tow. I would have thought such things were only those of stereotypes!
Of course, I had to partake in the festivities as well, though with a Ukrainian, not a Norwegian.
I have begun dating just one person, Serhii (English pronunciation Serge) who moved to Norway last November from Eastern Ukraine. We met at Norwegian language practice and just clicked. It is quite simple, really. He speaks Russian, Ukrainian and English. We are learning Norwegian together. That is when we can stop laughing every time we try to speak it! I have introduced him to tortillas and the word ‘irresistible.’
We kicked off the celebrations by being invited into a Norwegain home for a holiday meal on Thursday night. I marveled as I looked around the table of eight, somewhat in disbelief that I knew none of these people just one month ago and now here I was enjoying a meal with a Norwegian family of four and three Ukrainians.
Russian, Norwegian, and English were all being spoken at the table, often simultaneously. As our hosts switched between English and Norwegian, speaking slowly to give us the best chance of understanding, I felt a chill of glee that my brain was also switching from English to Norwegian. It was one of those moments that was just surreal.
Aside from that it was rest and time spent in great the outdoors!
Lessons from: God Påske!
- Norwegians have so much tradition around Easter. There are many decorations, foods, and activities. I even saw “God Påske!” spray painted on the front of a bulldozer in celebration!
- Over the weekend, I went for a walk with a young German student who had just arrived in town and was looking to meet people. Since I had been warmly greeted when I arrived in town, I felt it was my turn to return the favor. She shared with me that also in Germany they enjoy a five-day weekend for Easter!
- The traditional chocolate eaten on Easter is called Kvikk Lunsj (pronounced k-vick lunch). Yes, the literal transaction is quick lunch. It very much resembles a KitKat though the quality of chocolate is much better. Just make sure to never compare it to a Kitkat when speaking to a Norwegain!
Something interesting: Norwegian cabin culture
Most Norwegain families have a mountain cabin or hytte, pronounced heat-a, to retreat to on weekends and holidays. And many of them are difficult to access. For example, the couple that invited Serfii and me for dinner can only access their cabin by hiking or cross-country skiing, depending on the season. Not only do they have to bring all their supplies on their back, but their cabin has no electricity or running water. This couple, in their late 50s, thinks nothing of making this journey and does so regularly.
There are approximately 440,000 cabins and holiday cottages in Norway. Impressive for a country of five million. These cabins are part of the soul of Norwegians and are passed down through generations.
A look behind the curtain.
One of the main takeaways from my five weeks spent in Norway last summer was the realization that my best approach to life is to not fight the inertia around me. For me, that means welcoming the unexpected.
This translates to inviting unexpected conversations. It means allowing encounters to last as long as is needed until an end is clearly presented. In short, it means letting events transpire without trying to control them. It means having a structure and plan for each day, but knowing that it is flexible. It means that when a road is closed ahead and I have to take an alternative route, I don’t assume that it is better or worse; it just is. I have also learned it means that though I might have a sense of how my future will play out, the truth is I have not a clue.
When I can maintain this loose grip on my life, I begin to flow with everything around me. Ir creates in me a state of ease and receptivity. It feels like my best self, which is the only way for me to exist.
She Simply Wanders 
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