| Learn the local customs of Norrbottens Län. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Norrbottens Län locals. Map |
 | Norrbottens Län Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 14 |  |
 anti-repellent by sim1
The Fjällen are “famous” for their mosquitoes and black flies. I found that it wasn’t so bad when we were here, but we had them zooming around our heads so now and then. One desperate action you will probably try is to wave your arms around in a desperate attempt to chase them away --> this movement is called “wind milling”
Note: Wind milling is a trendy thing and can be seen often here on the Fjällen. Unfortunately it doesn’t work --> try anti-repellent instead ;-) Maybe less trendy, but will for certain have more effect, LOL :-) Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Norrbottens Län?
Read reviews about Norrbottens Län Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 The "Confused Chicken" by sim1
Newcomers to the campground are a joy to watch as well. I would like to describe this behaviour as the “Confused Chicken”.
Main characteristics are the confused look on their face, head sticking out forward, quickly moving from left to right, and back again. The newcomer moves over the campground in irregular patterns, clearly without having any plans, scanning the whole place in search for the perfect camping spot. Leave a Comment
|
 "The Mountain Walk" by sim1
On the evening after my first hiking day, I sat on a little bench just looking around and enjoying the sun. It is here that I noticed this local custom everyone seemed to have. It is best described as “The Mountain Walk”.
The walk resembles the one of a goose, waggling from left to right. This “typical” movement is caused by blisters and the unavoidable “first day muscle pain” :-)
Note 1: The smile (as seen in the picture) is mostly not present during the "Mountain Walk". This is often replaced by a more painful and worried look.
Note 2: The photo has been taken for demonstration purposes only and is not a 'real life' situation :-) Leave a Comment
|
 Abiskojaure by sim1
In my “To do tips” and “General tips” I have shown you some beautiful photos of the Fjällen (=Swedish mountain area) and told you a bit about my travels to this region. But what is life really like here in the Fjällen??? This is what I want to show you here in these local custom tips: A bit of truth with a wink and a smile about life in the Fjällen….. Leave a Comment
|
 Men first! :-) by sim1
Some crossings seem very doubtful if they will hold a person and you will probably start to worry if you might fall in the water. The best way to solve this problem is to let the men always go first. Why? Well…. Men often have a heavier backpack with them than you do. This means that if they are able to cross the obstacle without falling into the water, you most certainly can too :-)
Note 1: Is the male victim doubtful about this local custom and wants you to go first? Just smile and say please :-)))) This often works very well in these ‘critical’ situations ;-)
Note 2:This tip is written solely for the female reader. Male readers are requested to ignore and more important.... forgot about this tip altogether ;-) Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Norrbottens Län?
Read reviews about Norrbottens Län Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 "The Chocolate Monster" by sim1
Or maybe I should say: shop -- > shop more!!!
The amount of food you can carry with you is limited, resulting often in a boring selection of food. And maybe more devastating is that you don’t get very large portions for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Coming to a “Fällstation” (mountain hut station) with a little store is like being like a kind in a candy store! :-) So mch food and candy, chocolate bars, peanuts, etc, etc, …. Oh yes, hahaha, and some ‘real’ food too of course, like rice and pasta.
Having been without chocolate for a few days and ‘luxury’ items like jam and coffee, we went crazy here. Stocking up for our dinner that night was fun. And you can spot the "Chocolate Monster” at once… hahaha, Leave a Comment
|
 Dirty Clothing by sim1
Why??? You probably ask yourself. “Dirty Clothing” is like a status symbol here on the Fjällen. All ‘real’ hikers have them! Clean means that you have not adjusted yourself to life on the Fjällen, to be one with nature. And you expose yourself as “The Beginner”
Tip for Beginners:
a. Jump in a puddle of water/mud before you start your hike. This will effectively dirty your brand-new shoes and trousers.
b. Remove all price tags from new bought item -- > those are a dead give-away that you are a beginner, LOL
c. IF possible add some dirt to your backpack to give it a more serious look
d. Look confident with everything you do to confuse the people around you
Disclaimer:
This tip is written by a beginner, so maybe it shouldn’t be taken too seriously ;-) Leave a Comment
|
 Step C of the "Elephant
Landing" :-) by sim1
During your hike you of course need to take a break from time to time. With a heavy backpack this isn’t always an easy thing to do, as getting off the backpack from your back can be hard work. But here is the solution -- > Do the “Elephant Landing”!
How to do the perfect Elephant Landing:
a. Find a good steady stone, about sitting height. This will be your landing area.
b. Turn your back towards the stone so that the backpack hangs over the stone.
c. Slowly bend through your knees until the backpack lands on the stone.
d. Sit down as gracefully as you can.
e. Point D will obviously fail, hahaha -- > this one is only for pro’s.
Instead the backpack will draw you backwards because of the heavy weight. The end result will look like an elephant trying to sit down on his behind. Hence: “The Elephant Landing”. Keep your arms forward, legs slightly from the ground, lean backwards a bit (dragged down by your backpack) and you will have done the perfect Elephant Landing.
The only problem is that you will feel and look rather helpless in this position. Solution -->
f. Try to un-strap the backpack as quickly as you can and smile, pretending you made the perfect ‘pro’ landing.
Personal observation:
• You probably will feel too tired after your hike to really care how you landed. An overwhelming happiness will overcome you just because of the fact that you can finally rest.
• Your partner feels undoubtedly the same and couldn’t care less how you landed, LOL :-) Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
 "The Upside-Down Turtle" LOL
:-)) by sim1
The inexperienced might suffer from the “Upside-Down Turtle”. This is however a thing to be avoided at ALL times!!!!
The Upside-Down Turtle is a totally failed “Elephant Landing” (see previous tip). It is caused by a far too heavy backpack (I told you to take less with you!!! LOL), inexperience and probably a stone that is too low. Instead of landing in a graceful elephant way, the backpack will drag you backwards even more than usual. The backpack is like the turtle shell, and you are like the helpless turtle on top, with hands and legs in the air.
When your partner has stopped laughing, ask him friendly to unbuckle you from your backpack and release you from this helpless and not very graceful position.
If the laughter keeps on for more than 5 minutes, it might be wise to figure out a way to unbuckle yourself from your “turtle-shell-backpack” ;-) Leave a Comment
|
 “Friendly Hitter” by sim1
Don’t get upset when someone starts to hit you on your head, back or arms without any warning. You might but the target of the“Friendly Hitter”.
As described in the previous tip, mosquitoes and black flies can be a problem. The “Friendly Hitter” is a person that tries to kill the mosquitoes on a fellow hiker. These mosquitoes are just having lunch on one of your body parts and are best to be removed as quickly as possible.
Instead of getting angry at your “Friendly Hitter” just smile and thank him or her for this friendly gesture :-) .....Or even better: adapt this friendly behaviour and hit back a few times :-)) Leave a Comment
|
 | 1 | 2 |  |
More Norrbottens Län Tips |
|
