A Cold Christmas Day Swim

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         Apparently it's a tradition here at Aurebekk to jump in the waterfall in the freezing cold on Christmas! Alina and I were warned before we came that this would happen, and we both dreaded and looked forward to it. On Christmas Day, we spent the morning taking a walk around the area with Anne Tone's family. Here you can see the frost on the ground! 


        Around 4, we were all down at the mill, ready to jump in. I say ready, but I mean standing in our jackets, teeth chattering, wondering what life decisions we had made that led us here. It went like a parade, with Audun and Odd Magnar leading the way. We all went in wearing our bathing suits and wool socks--how Norwegian. The water was freezing, and not even waist deep, so we went in, ducked down to the shoulders, and immediately jumped out! 


        Almost everybody went in, including some of the grandparents! (Alina stepped in and out). After our polar plunge, we went back to our apartment. I had to pry my wet socks off of the ground, as they'd frozen to it. A hot shower felt so nice, and we cozied up with a cup of hot chocolate before returning to Anne Tone's for dinner! 


        That evening, we also participated in a Norwegian Christmas quiz with the rest of the family over Zoom. They asked questions in Norwegian, and Alina, Anne Tone and I each wrote down answers. When we were finished, we did a few Kahoots about Christmas songs--both English and Norwegian. It was so much fun! 

Comments

  1. Andrea Hansen RitchieDecember 29, 2020 at 8:29 AM

    Those Norwegians sure know how to have fun!! But seriously, they are such a fun bunch, and you and Alina are good sports! We were thinking of you of course, and so glad you had this wonderful experience :) How were the marshmallows??
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoyceDecember 30, 2020 at 7:41 AM

    Love the pictures of the old Mill. Glad you could experience such a fun tradition of theirs

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sonja MerzDecember 30, 2020 at 10:29 AM

    Brrrrrrrr!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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