Koselig - your feeling and experience of Norway
“Koselig” is a Norwegian word that is hard to describe - in order to understand it you have to feel it. The feeling of warmth and friendliness that you get from sharing simple pleasures of life with people you like - that’s what this half a year in Norway taught me to appreciate. A feeling of being comfortable and happy, like at home - that’s what word “koselig” means to me, and that’s what Norway has become to me.
Being in your mind a far Northern country, Norway can become close and koselig to you, if you put at least a little effort to explore it. In fact, a good start to become closer to understanding Norwegians and their way of life is share their passion to sport, especially outdoor activities. That’s where you can always get into spirit of community, as it seems that Norwegians practice sports everywhere and anytime: anyone here starting from 6 years old seems to have all the necessary equipment to go hiking in the mountain, cycling, swimming, slalom skiing, cross-country skiing, running etc. And I’m lucky to enjoy the beauty of Norway in such an active way.
As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said in his Citadel, “the landscape doesn’t exist if no-one climbed the mountain; landscape is not about watching, it’s about overcoming”. And from my own experience I can say that Norwegian landscapes are worth making challenging hiking, as the feeling and the view that you enjoy after is incomparable to anything...
But of course, as a suggestion how to make this challenge easier, you should be well-equipped for any sports activity, where except for the good sport clothes and either ski or snowshoes (you may be lucky to try the ones that once belonged to Norwegian army =D) the important part includes warm gloves, a warm tea, cookies and a pleasant company;)
Wonderful nature, fresh air and great memories that you share with your close people - that’s just little aspects of what you get, not being lazy to discover the world around you. And in Norway this world is amazing!:) In this way you’ll get the most from an opportunity to be in this beautiful country, and experiencing the picturesque views after conquering your little ‘everests’ - that’s where you feel proud of yourself and that’s where you feel Norway.
...And last but not least - travel! Don’t let the boundaries of a city you live in limit yourself. Of course, you should start with exploring the closest places to see, but let the Norway charm you in all the ways, with its beautiful fjords, islands and the hospitable and fascinating North!
“Koselig” is what you feel and what you experience, enjoying the norwegian environment… Norway is koselig. Just let it make you feel it!
Posted by Diana Molodyk