Search Results for: Norway

The name Norway comes from the old Norse words, “nordr” and “vegr.” The words mean, “way to the north” or “northern way;” because of its very northern location.  In fact, it is the most northern country in all of Europe. Today, the Norwegians have two official names, “Noreg” in Nynorsk and “Norge” in Bokmål.  Norge is used most often.

Norway is a Scandinavian country and shares a long, land border which includes the Scandinavian mountains with Sweden.  It also has a border with Finland and Russia, to the north.  The Skagarrak Strait, lies between them and Denmark is to the south.  Norway has an extensive coastline on the west, along the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea.

Norway is run as a constitutional monarchy.  The current King is Harald V.  Norway was ruled by Denmark for some 400 years and was also part of Sweden.  They have, in essence, two independence days; one, when they gained independence from Denmark, in 1814 (however it was for a very brief period of time) then, they were given to Sweden by the victors of the Napoleonic war and finally regained their independence on June 7^th, 1905.

During World War II, Norway was invaded and occupied by Germany.  Norway was one of the signers of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and was a founding member of the United Nations. The first UN General Secretary, Trygve Lie, was a Norwegian.  Norway is not part of the European Union, although it has been voted on a few times.  Their currency is called the Norwegian kroner.

Most of Norway’s population are Norwegians; a Germanic ethnic group, plus Sami, which makes up 94 percent of the population.  The rest are immigrants from other countries. especially European.  Oslo is the capital city, known for its beautiful green areas.  It is the most populous city in Norway.  It was founded back in 1040 as a trading place.  It is usually rated as one of the best places to live, in terms of quality of life, despite the high cost of living.  The official languages are Bokmal and Nynorsk Norwegian, but Sami, and Kven are also spoken.  English is taught as a second language.  The religion of Norway is mostly the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway with nearly 80 percent of the population making it their affiliation.  However, only about ten percent attend services on a regular basis.  The rest are a mix of religions, with Catholicism being second.

Norway is one of the few countries in the world with fjords – long narrow inlets in the coastline, with deep sides or cliffs, formed by glaciers, millions of years ago.  In fact, two of them are UNESCO natural world heritage sites; the spectacular West Norwegian Fjords, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord.  Norway’s coastline is estimated to be 18,000 miles when you count the 1,190 fjords or 1600 miles if you don’t.  The Vikings (who ruled the country during the Viking Age between 800 and 1066 AD) built boats to navigate these unique inlets. Almost all of Norway is high ground. They have a wonderful road system and have the longest tunnel in the world, the Lærdal Tunnel, which is 15.2 miles long.  There are many beautiful bridges over deep fjords, as well as a major ferry service and numerous tunnels under the mountains.

Two-thirds of the country is tundra, rock or snowfields, and one-quarter is forested, as a result, good agricultural land is hard to come by.  Less than three percent of Norway is cultivated, and those areas are in the southeast and in the river valleys. The mountains of Norway are rich in minerals and they have large offshore reserves of petroleum and natural gas. Norway ranks 15^th in the world in oil production and is the greatest reason for the countries enormous wealth.  They have the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, worth just shy of one trillion dollars.  The lower price of fuel of late, has been a burden on their economy, and they made their first ever withdrawal from the wealth fund in 2016.

Although Norway is far north, the climate is not as cold as one might expect.  The North Atlantic Drift brings warm, damp, air to the whole country.  It is generally cooler inland and to the north, where winters are long and accompanied with much snow.  From late May to late July, the sun never completely dips beneath the horizon in areas north of the Arctic Circle. This is how Norway got its nickname, "The Land of the Midnight Sun."   The rest of the country experiences up to 20 hours of daylight per day.  It is just the opposite in winter, when from late November to late January, the sun never rises above the horizon in the north, and daylight hours are scarce in the rest of the country.

Norway is known as a spectacular place to see the “Aurora Borealis” or, “The Northern Lights.”  They say they are most active around the equinox in both fall and spring.  Of course, there are never guarantees to witness Mother Nature’s grand creation but your odds are pretty good between the hours of 9:00pm and 1:00am in the far north, when the sky is clear and dark.

The north is also home to the indigenous people called the Sami or Lapps.  They have lived in the Artic region for thousands of years.  About 50,000 to 65,000 call Norway home.  There, they keep their unique culture, language and traditions alive, including reindeer husbandry.

As we look into the cuisine of Norway, it is largely influenced by its coastal location.  Fish is the heart and soul of Norwegian cuisine.  They poach it, smoke it, grill it, fry it, salt it, dry cure it and boil it with a huge variety of seafood.  Smoked salmon is for what Norway is the most famous. They are the second largest exporter of seafood in the world, after China.  They even introduced the Japanese, to salmon that could be eaten raw for sushi and sashimi.  Fish soups, pickled herring and gravlax are all very popular dishes. The Norwegian population is among the healthiest in the world, as diet plays an important role.  Game meats like reindeer, goose and duck are also loved foods in the country.

Norway, despite its riches today, before 1905 had a rather substandard standard of living.  They only had a small number of ingredients to work with and porridge was often the only meal available and was eaten two to three times a day.  Since there was not much agricultural land, they had a hard time feeding the population.

Bread is usually dark and made of rye, as it grows easily in Norway.  These breads are often used to make open face sandwiches, called smorebrod.  They also have an interesting bread called lefse that is made of potato and is thin like a crepe.  This is often sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and a favorite at Christmas time.

Dairy is also very important in Norway and they are huge milk drinkers.  The average Norwegian consumes 40 gallons of milk per year.  Jalsberg cheese is a big export item for them as well. State controlled, independent dairies, make a myriad of cheeses that are loved around the world.  Potatoes are the most popular vegetable and apples, rhubarb and berries are used in all sorts of delicious creations.  Dill and caraway, thyme and oregano are the favorite seasonings, as they grow wild.  Shredded horseradish is also a staple, as is mustard, especially on salmon.

So let us enjoy a Norwegian meal:

The Menu

Starter

Gravlax (Cured Salmon)

Salad

 Hvitkalsalat (Coleslaw)

Main Course

Krabbelag (Seafood Feast)

Dessert

Kvæfjordkake Verdens beste (World’s Best Cake)

We set the table in blue, red and white; the colors of their flag.  We placed elk antlers as the centerpiece, since the elk is a national symbol, (although they call it a moose.)  Purple heather was added, as it is the national flower, as well as a whale, home to their seas.  A reindeer cup represented the Sami population and reindeer herding, and an anchor, symbolizing their seafaring heritage.  A King’s crown and a penguin were also included, as there is a penguin, named Nils Olav III, who is a member of the King’s Guard and the only penguin in the world to be promoted to Brigadier.

We began our first course of gravlax; delicious salmon that had been salt and sugar cured in lemon zest and dill for several days.  The result was amazing, almost candy like, and was served with a mustard aioli alongside.  We enjoyed it with a toast “Skal” pronounced “Skawl” which means “cheers.”  We clinked our glasses with shot of Aquavit, a famous exported liquor made from potatoes and flavored with caraway seed or star anise.

For the main course, it was a seafood feast called Krabbalag.  All the seafood (lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels and clams) were boiled with potatoes and corn and flavored with thyme and dill.  Mayonnaise and drawn butter were accompaniments.  This meal is typically enjoyed in a rustic environment; outside with all the seafood dumped on the table covered with butcher paper, for everyone to grab a piece, crack it and savor.  I made this feast for my father’s 90^th birthday party, some 40 people and it was loved by all!  It was served with a coleslaw, made a few days ahead, marinated with sugar and vinegar, imparting it a lovely sweet and sour flavor.

For dessert, I just had to make the cake called, “The World’s Best.”  In Norwegian, it is called, Kvæfjordkake Verdens beste.  It was awesome!!!  Basically, it is a pound cake covered in meringue, similar to New Zealand’s pavlova.  It is then layered with cream and fruit.  I used bananas and strawberries, but you can use whatever fruit you like.  It was topped with toasted almonds; which, was, literally, the icing on the cake!  Best in the world, for sure!

As we say goodbye to Norway, I have to wonder what makes it the world’s happiest place?  Perhaps it is the free education, offered from elementary school through college, or 25 days of vacation paid leave per year, or a year’s paid maternity leave, or three months paternity paid leave, or free healthcare, or a generous pension and low unemployment?  I am sure these things factor in, however they do pay for these privileges, with high taxes.  It may also be all the outdoor activities Norway has to offer.  They are renowned for their winter sports, having hosted the Winter Olympics twice.  They also have fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking the list goes on and on.  They have a saying in Norway “There is no bad weather, just bad clothes.”

If you ask a Norwegian, they will likely tell you they find happiness in the way they help each other.  They have each other’s backs, and a true sense of community, which brings comfort and joy to all.

Perhaps I should spend some quality time in Norway, to help me truly figure it out!

Until next time,

“Hah  ehn gooh  dahg” (Have a good day”)

Darlene
 

    How did Sweden get its name?

The name Sweden, comes from a powerful, warlike tribe back in 500 A.D., called, the Svea Tribe. Swedes call their land Sverige, which means “Land of the Svea.”  The Svea tribe made raids all along the northern European coast and became known as the Vikings, which means “Pirates” in an old Norse language. Today, Sweden is officially known as, the Kingdom of Sweden.

Where is Sweden located?

Sweden is located in northern Europe on the Scandinavian peninsula.  It is bordered by the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea.  Her neighbors are Norway to the west, Finland to the east, and she is connected to Denmark in the southwest, by a bridge tunnel across the Oresund Strait.  Sweden also shares maritime borders with Germany, Denmark, Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.  Its capital city is Stockholm, located on the south-central east coast. It is built on 14 islands and has 50 bridges and is filled with royal palaces and museums.   It is the largest and most populous city in Sweden and its location makes it one of the world’s most beautiful.  Sweden is the fifth largest country in all of Europe.

A Brief History of Sweden

Sweden has a long history, dating back 12000 years, when the thick, ice cap covering the land started to retreat and people started to move in.  Artifacts from the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age have all been found in Sweden.  It was, however, the Viking Age, when significant expansion occurred. The Vikings traveled as far as the Black and Caspian Seas, where they developed trading partners with the Byzantine Empire and the Arab Kingdoms.

Christianity was introduced through missionaries and the country converted to Christianity in the 11th century.  It was in 1280 when Sweden became a kingdom, as the various provinces of Sweden were absorbed into a single unit and King Magnus Ladulas authorized the establishment of nobility and organized the society based on the feudal model. 

In 1389, the crowns of Denmark, Norway and Sweden united under the rule of the Danish Queen, Margareta and the Kalmar Union was formed.  This union had many internal conflicts which culminated into what is known as the “Stockholm Bloodbath,” when 80 Swedish nobles were executed.  This act provoked rebellion and the seizure of power by a Swedish nobleman, Gustav Vasa, who was then elected King of Sweden in 1523.

The Swedish Empire grew substantially during the 16^th century and even founded a short-lived colony in what is now Delaware in North America.  It was the defeat in the Great Northern War against the combined forces of Denmark, Poland and Russia when Sweden lost most of its provinces on the other side of the Baltic Sea and was reduced to what is now Sweden and Finland.  After this defeat and the death of the warrior, King Karl XII, the Swedish parliament and council introduced a new constitution that abolished royal absolutism and put the power into the hands of Parliament.  

The 18^th century was a difficult period for Sweden as it was hit hard by the Napoleonic wars, when trade came to a halt.  This led to stagnation and an economic crisis.  One consequence of this crisis was mass emigration.  From the mid 1800s until 1930 about 1.5 million Swedes, out of a population of 3.5 million, emigrated.

Sweden managed to remain neutral through both world wars and emerged as one of Europe’s leading industrial nations.  Today Sweden’s government is run as a constitutional monarchy, supported by a parliamentary government.  The country is part of the EU but not their currency, which is the krona.  Sweden is known for its ultra-high taxes (at 59%) and cradle to grave welfare system.  In recent years, the main debate in Parliament has been how to sustain Sweden’s generous welfare system while putting a halt to ever increasing taxes.  Sweden provides health insurance, 15 months of paid parental leave, tax-free child allowances, as well as free education.  When a Swede reaches retirement age, they are entitled to a hefty pension that rises with inflation. Despite the high taxes, they enjoy high wages and Swedes rank as one of the happiest nations on earth.

Swedish Culture

Sweden is known to be an egalitarian society with the main defining features being modesty, equality and respect for universal human rights.  Swedes are known to be reserved and conservative.

The government does not collect statistics on ethnicity but rather on one’s country of birth.  In recent years there have been large waves of international immigration which has changed the Swedish makeup substantially.  Sweden has accepted more refugees per capita than any other European nation.  

Sweden is also home to a small indigenous people known as the Sami, who live in the north and survive on reindeer, husbandry, tourism, fishing and crafts.  Sami was recently recognized as an official minority language in Sweden.  Swedish is the official language but nearly 80 percent of the population is able to also speak English, the most people of any other European nation.  However, you shouldn’t expect to hear Swedes speaking English to each other.

Many Swedes pride themselves on having a religiously diverse and tolerant society.  About 60 percent identify as Lutheran (the Church of Sweden) while eight and a half percent belong to some other religion.  Further, 31 percent do not identify with any religion at all.  Generally speaking, a large percentage of those who call themselves Lutheran, do not attend regular church services. They do, however, celebrate religious holidays, especially Good Friday, Easter and Christmas.

Speaking of holidays, a few stand out in Sweden.  Sweden’s National Day is celebrated on June 6^th, which honors two historical events: Gustav Vasa being elected as king in 1523 and the adoption of a new constitution, in 1809.  Another celebrated day is called Midsummer.  Swedes, with wreaths of flowers in their hair, dance around a pole, singing songs while drinking unsweetened, flavored schnapps.  They also devour lots of pickled herring and new potatoes.  Being outdoors is a big part of Midsummer celebrations, whether in a park or at someone’s summerhouse.

In Sweden, access to nature is protected by a law known as Allenmansratten (meaning the right of common access to land.) The law applies to all fields, forests, lakes and beaches across the country and is all free to the public.  This law has helped foster a love and appreciation of nature.  The change of seasons is exceptionally important as the winter months can be long and dark in Sweden.  During the summer months, the sun is visible for most of the day and into the night and is a time for celebration.

Music and literature are both very important elements of Swedish culture.  Sweden has more choirs per capita than any other country.  They have produced many famous musicians and writers.  Sweden is also especially well known for the five Nobel prizes, established by Alfred Nobel, in 1901. They are awarded in several important categories with great anticipation, every year.  

Swedish Cuisine

As we look into the cuisine of Sweden, it is quite diverse, especially by region.  Up north, meats, such as reindeer and other wild game are extremely popular where as fresh vegetables play a larger role in the cuisine in the south.  Dairy products, breads made from rye, wheat, oat, white, dark and sourdough, are all popular.  Berries and stone fruits are ubiquitous.  Potatoes are served, often boiled or mashed, as a side to dish to many meat and fish dishes.  Beef, chicken, pork, lamb, eggs and seafood are the most popular sources of protein.  Swedish cuisine is generally considered rather bland, as spices are not often used in their dishes. 

Sweden has several famous dishes and traditions like, the smorgasbord, where many different dishes are set out to be enjoyed buffet style.  Thursday is known as soup day because that is the day that maids only work half the day and can easily leave a pot of soup on the stove to serve later.  The most common soup is called Artsoppa, a yellow, pea soup made with pork, that is served with pancakes for dessert.  Of course, Swedish meatballs are known throughout the world and are considered the national dish of Sweden. In August, they hold another celebratory feast known as the Crayfish Party. Large amounts of crayfish are boiled and then marinated in a broth, with salt, sugar and dill weed. 

Swedes also love fika, which is a time to enjoy coffee and a pastry.  Fika is a time to take a true work break and focus on socializing.  Generally, there are two, 10-30 minute, fika breaks in the work day.  Swedes are the third most coffee drinking nation in the world and it is almost always enjoyed with a delicious bread or pastry, such as their famous cinnamon buns, called kanelbullar.

So let’s enjoy a Swedish meal:

The Menu

 First Course

Toast Skagen (Prawn Toast)

 Main Course

 Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs)

Served with

Pressgurka (Cucumber Salad)

Dessert

Kladdkaka (Sticky Chocolate Cake)

We set the scene with the colors of the Swedish flag; blue and yellow.  We placed a Dala horse in the décor, a symbol of Sweden for the past 400 years.  A Viking ship and shield were added as well as a picture of an elk, (Sweden’s national animal,) and finally a crown, representing the Monarchy.  To set the mood we put on ABBA’s greatest hits; Sweden’s most popular band.  Did you know that ABBA is one of the best-selling, popular music groups in the history of recorded music?

We began by saying “Smaklig Måltid” which means “Bon Appetit” in Swedish.  Our first course was a scrumptious appetizer called Toast Skagen.  It is a piece of bread, fried in butter and then topped with  prawns (or shrimp) in a mayonnaise mixture and a big dollop of caviar.  It is  garnished with lemon and dill. 

Next, was Sweden’s national dish; Swedish meatballs.  They were served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry sauce and a cucumber salad.  The meatballs were made of pork and beef and then smothered in a creamy gravy, which went perfectly with the potatoes.  The lingonberry sauce is similar to a cranberry sauce and in Sweden is very popular to put on nearly everything (except bread interestingly.)  The cucumber salad added a lovely sweet and sour bite to the plate that provided, the perfect balance. 

For dessert, we had my new favorite thing!  Kladdkaka is a sticky, gooey, chocolate cake with an almost crispy outer layer, (more like a brownie than a cake.)  Heavenly.  After I ate my piece of Kladdkaka, I had to give the rest away or I would have eaten up the entire thing.

I remembered the Swedish word “lagom.”  It doesn’t have a literal translation to English but basically means “just right.”  It is the concept of “just enough.”  In a single word, “lagom” is said to describe the basis of the Swedish national psyche, one of consensus and equality.  In moderation, less is more, an idea that there is a perfect, and best, amount of food, space, laughter and sadness.  

When we finished our delicious Swedish meal we said “det smakade utmärkt” (it’s delicious.)

Until next time,

Stay safe.

Darlene

How did Russia get its name?

“Rus” was a medieval state that was inhabited by mostly Eastern Slavs.  However, the name Russia did not become prominent until later in history.  The country was usually called by its inhabitants, Russkaja zemlja, which is translated to Russian Land or Land of Rus.  Today the official name is the Russian Federation.

Where is Russia located?

Russia is massive.  It’s the largest country in the world in total area, with 6.6 million square miles, and covers much of northern Eurasia.  Due to its size, it is no surprise it has many neighbors; 14 in fact.  They are: Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and North Korea.  It also borders the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Russia is so large it covers 11 time zones.  It has nearly every type of topography, from deserts to semiarid steeps, to deep forests and arctic tundra.  It is home to Europe’s longest river, the Volga, and its largest lake, Ladoga.  Baikal is also the deepest lake in the world and contains about 20 percent of the world’s fresh, unfrozen water.  Russia gets the prize for the coldest temperature ever recorded outside the north and south poles.  In Oymyakon, on February 6, 1933, the weather station recorded a temperature of -67.8 degrees Celsius (-90 degrees F.)  The climate is as diverse as its topography.  It has extreme winters which have helped save the country from foreign invaders.  The climate adds a layer of difficulty to daily life, yet enriches its crops and natural resources.

A Not So Brief History of Russia

Russian history begins in 800 CE, when the Slavic people migrated into the area of Ukraine.  The first United Eastern Slavic state was the Kievan Rus, established in 882.  This kingdom expanded and grew until it reached its peak in 1015 and a written code of law was established.  In 1237 the land was invaded by Mongols who destroyed most of the region’s cities.  In 1462 Ivan III became the Grand Prince of Moscow and in 1480 freed Russia from the Mongols.  In 1547, Ivan IV (a.k.a. Ivan the Terrible) was crowned the first Tsar of Russia.  1609 marked the beginning of the Polish-Russian war when Poland invaded.  The year 1613 was the beginning of the Romanov Dynasty, that began when Michael Romanov was elected Tsar. This dynasty ruled until 1917.

In between there were many significant events.  In 1648, riots broke out in Moscow over the introduction of a salt tax.  In 1647 Russia invaded Poland, a peace treaty was signed in 1667.  In 1689, Peter the Great became Tsar.  He put Russia on the world’s stage when he introduced reforms and created a standing army.  In 1703, Peter the Great founded the city of Saint Petersburg and in 1713 it became the capital of the Russian Empire.  In 1721, Russia won the Great Northern War, gaining Estonia and Livonia.  When Peter the Great died in 1725, his wife Catherine I took the reigns as Empress of Russia.  In 1736 a war began against the Ottoman Empire.  In 1762 Catherine II took the crown after the assassination of Peter III.  She ruled for 34 years and is credited for what is considered to be the Golden Age of the Russian Empire.  In 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia and his army was nearly destroyed by the harsh Russian winter.  He was ultimately defeated in 1814.  In 1867 Russia sold Alaska (almost 587,000 sq. miles) to the United States for 7.2 million dollars.  In 1897 the Social Democratic party was established which later split into two, the Bolshevik and Menshevik, parties.  In 1905 a Revolution occurred where 200 people were killed on “Bloody Sunday.”  World War I began in 1914 and Russia would fight on the side of the Allies and invade Germany.

In 1917 the Russian Revolution occurred. The Tsarist government was overthrown and the communist Bolsheviks, under Vladimir Lenin, took control in the October Revolution.  In 1918 the Russians exited World War I, giving up Finland, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine.  Also in 1918 Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks.  The “Red Terror” began as Lenin instituted communism.  Civil war then erupted.  In 1921 Lenin announced his New Economic Policy and the following year the civil war ended and the Soviet Union was established.

In 1924 Lenin died and Joseph Stalin became the new leader.  In 1934 Stalin’s Great Purge began.  During this horrific period he eliminated any opposition to his regime and up to 20 million people were killed.  In 1939 World War II began and Russia invaded Poland in an agreement with Germany.  However, in 1941 Germany invaded Russia and Russia joined the Allies.  In 1942 the Russian army defeated the German Army at the Battle of Stalingrad, which became a major turning point in World War II.   The war ends in 1945 with the Soviet Union controlling much of Eastern Europe, including Poland and East Germany.  Estimates are that 26 million lives were lost in Russia due to World War II, including 2 .1 million Jews who were victims of genocide.  In 1949, the USSR developed nuclear weapons and an arms race began between the USSR and the United States which was known as the cold war.

In 1962 the Soviets placed missiles in Cuba which created the Cuban Missile Crisis.  In 1979 the Soviets began the Soviet-Afghanistan war which they ultimately left in defeat some 20 years later.  In 1980 the summer Olympics were held in Moscow, however many countries boycotted the games, including the US.  In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev was elected and instituted freedom of speech, openness of the government and a restructuring of the economy.  In 1991 the USSR collapsed and many previously controlled Russian countries gained their independence. The country of Russia was then established.  In 2000 Vladimir Putin was elected president and remains in that position today.

Russian Culture

Although all the people who live in Russia are referred to as “Russians” there are about 160 different ethnic groups.  Russian is the official language, however over 100 languages are spoken.  The Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet, containing 33 letters.  This old Slavic alphabet was developed in the 9^th century with the spread of Christianity.  The majority of Russians identify with the Eastern Orthodox Christian religion, but Islam, Judaism and Buddhism are also practiced in Russia.

Each city in Russia is unique and has its own culture.  Siberia reflects the challenges of the Far East in Russia with its bitterly cold winters and diverse, ethnic communities.  Moscow, Russia’s capital city is home to many important symbols of Russian culture like the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Tretyakov Gallery and their famous subway or metro system, to name a few.  St. Petersburg is Russia’s second capital and is considered the most “European like.”

Russia celebrates most western holidays including Christmas, New Years and especially Easter. Additionally, they  also have their own celebrations for Victory Day, International Women’s day including Tatiana Day (a special day to recognize women named Tatiana), Mens Day, and Cosmonaut Day, which celebrates Russia’s achievements in space exploration.  Aside from holidays, Russia also has a host of unique traditions, like how to drink a bottle of Vodka or how many flowers should be properly given to a woman.

Many families have a dacha, which is a summer cottage in the countryside where they spend time with family and friends and tend to their vegetable gardens and fruit trees.  Many dachas also have a Banya or a Russian sauna as well.  The road conditions can be challenging inside and outside the city, so tremendous care is given to dodging potholes.

Russian culture has a rich history which includes influential arts like literature, philosophy, classical music, ballet, architecture, master painting, cinema and animation.  A few of their unique handicrafts include Russian nesting dolls, called Matryoshka dolls or Babushka dolls, painted Easter eggs including the famed Fabergé eggs. Additionally, exotically painted lacquer boxes, as well as intricately designed samovars which are vessels to boil water for tea.

Russians are known to be extremely hospitable and will likely invite you to join them for a drink or a meal.

Russian Cuisine

Russian cuisine is as diverse as its vast land and cultures.  It is influenced by northern and eastern European countries, Central Asian, Siberian and East Asian influences.  Its foundation however lies with the rural population, in an often harsh climate and is considered peasant food.  Crops of rye, wheat, barley and millet, lay the basis for all sorts of breads, pancakes, cereals, beer and their famous vodka.  Additionally, a combination of fish, pork, poultry, caviar, berries, honey and mushrooms make up popular ingredients in many of their delicious dishes, along with potatoes, beets, and carrots.  Sour cream is ubiquitous and seasonings like dill, caraway, coriander and paprika are common.  Pickled products are also loved, such as cabbage, cucumbers and apples etc.

Pelmeni is considered to be the national dish, which is typically a minced meat filling wrapped in a thin dough, somewhat similar to a dumpling, and which can be filled with an array of other items as well.  It is typically served in a broth or slathered in butter or sour cream.  Other common main dishes include beef stroganoff, shashlik, which is a form of shish kabob, as well as kotlety, which are fried meatballs.  Smoked meats and fish are also extremely popular.  All sorts of desserts and pastries are beloved like pirozhki which are small stuffed buns  filled with all sorts of ingredients, honey cakes, blinis and kulich (which is a kind of Easter bread), all very popular.

So let’s enjoy a Russian meal:  

The Menu

Starter

Blini (Buckwheat Pancakes topped with Salmon and Caviar)

Soup course

Borscht (Russian Beet Soup)

Served with

Russian Black Bread

Main Course

Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)

Served with

Russian Salad (Potato salad)

Dessert

Medovik (Layered Honey Cake)

We set the scene in the colors of the Russian flag; blue, red and white. We placed other items to represent the country, such as a pelmeni dumpling maker, a bottle of vodka with crystalline shot glasses, a bear, considered to be the sacred animal and symbol of Russia since the 16^th century.  A ballerina was placed to represent their impressive world renowned ballet, mushrooms as a beloved ingredient in their cuisine, a jar of caviar and blinis. We added a hockey stick and puck which is one of their national sports and lastly a few white, chamomile flowers; which is the national flower and the component in their world-famous tea.  To set the mood, we played classical music written by their most famous Russian composer, Tchaikovsky.

We began with a toast, a shot of vodka and said “Nostrovia” which actually is a way of saying “thank you for the meal and drinks.” Strangely in a country that toasts a lot of vodka with family and friends, they really don’t have an official toasting saying, so “Nostrovia” will have to do.  Our first course was one of my favorite dishes; blinis (little buckwheat pancakes) with sour cream, smoked salmon and topped with caviar.  It is simply a heavenly bite.

Our soup course was next with their famous borscht soup.  It is made with beets which gives its rich, red color.  Borscht is hearty and could be served as a meal by itself but perhaps with a piece of their most delicious black bread that is ubiquitous there. The soup is topped with sour cream and dill.  It is said that borscht likely originated in Ukraine but it is served and beloved throughout all of Russia.

Our main course was the delectable little dumplings called pelmeni.  These treats were made with mushrooms, since I had vegetarian guests while serving this meal.  They were served in a lovely broth, along with an Olivier salad also known as Russian Salad.  It is somewhat akin to a potato salad and was hearty and delicious. Another popular version of the Russian Salad is made with chopped cucumber and tomatoes in dressing.

For dessert, an eight layered honey cake called medovik covered in cream and berries was served.  It was scrumptious along with a cup of tea, as the tea culture in Russia is as popular as its vodka.

We ended our evening by watching Swan Lake, a ballet composed by Tchaikosky in 1875.

Until next time,

До встре́чи!
Until next time!
[da vstryé-chee]

Darlene

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It was Scandinavian sailors that discovered Iceland in the ninth century. It is believed that a Norse Viking named Floki, sailed to Iceland and named it such. The book of Settlements called, “Landnamabok”, was written in the twelfth century and contains information on the first four hundred settlers. Among the settlers the Scandinavians brought, were people of Irish and Norse descent. They went to Iceland in search of a better life but what they faced was a continuous struggle against Mother Nature. The land is made habitable only by the warm currents of the jet stream. Much of the folklore and myths surrounding Iceland were created during this early settlement time. The four guardians of the land are the eagle, the giant, the dragon and the bull, all of which are found on the coat of arms, the parliament building and their coins.

Iceland is an island, located in the North Atlantic Ocean between Greenland and Norway, just south of the Arctic Circle. Some people say that Greenland should have been called Iceland and Iceland should have been called Greenland, just because of the way the lands look. Iceland is much greener than Greenland. Iceland is a volcanic island in one of the most active volcanic areas of the world. It is also one of the youngest islands and the latest to be inhabited by humans. The interior known as “The Highlands” are cold and uninhabitable, consisting of a plateau of sand and lava fields, mountains and glaciers. Many glacier rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands where waterfalls abound. She is a land of contrasts and called, “The Land of Fire and Ice”. The island nation is sparsely populated with most of her 330,000 residents living in the capital city of Reykjavik, the northern most capital city in the world. The language they speak is Icelandic, which has not changed much through the centuries and is a symbol of national pride. It is probably closest to Old Norse, of all modern Scandinavian languages.

Iceland became independent on June 17, 1944, after 97 percent of the population voted overwhelmingly in favor of separating from Denmark. Iceland has the longest surviving parliament, known as “the Althingi” which was established in the year 930, when Iceland became a commonwealth. Iceland was also ruled for a time in the 1200s by Norway.

Icelanders are a very proud people and it seems that nearly all are related to each other. They have a unique way of naming people. They don’t use surnames, they are named as the dottir (daughter) or son of the father. For example, the daughter of Jon (whose first name is Anna) is called Anna Jonsdottir. The first name has to be in the Icelandic book of names or has to be approved. In the phonebook, the people are listed by their first name, with their occupation.

Due to Iceland’s geographical location, the winter may only have 4 hours of daylight and in the summertime, it is light 24 hours a day. Both seasons bring tourists, as the famous Northern Lights are best observed during the winter months, yet many festivals are held during the summertime. They even host the midnight, International golf tournaments during the summer months. Both seasons are also times to enjoy the many geothermal pools and geysers that are found across the country. One called the Blue Lagoon is a popular favorite.

Iceland ranks very high in many world categories. They are one of the most literate nations in the world and many speak English as well as Icelandic. They rank 13th in the world regarding environmental protection and they are incredibly green, with 85 percent of their power coming from sustainable sources and half of that, from geothermal power. They have universal health care, free education, low taxes and unemployment, and have hardly any crime. Even the police in Iceland do not carry guns. It is common to see small children and babies parked outside a café all bundled up for a nap, in a stroller, sleeping in the cool, crisp air, while the parents are inside visiting without a worry about abduction. They also have the second highest, life expectancy in the world. The world’s strongest man was from Iceland and they see more movies than any other nation on earth.

Most of the animals found in Iceland were brought there by early settlers, however there was one indigenous animal found on the island, the arctic fox. The animals you will see most commonly are sheep, which are everywhere, and the strikingly beautiful Icelandic ponies, who are famous for their ambling gaits called the tölt . There are no mosquitos in Iceland and no reptiles or amphibians. Iceland is home to about 300 species of birds and some 6000 plant species. One bird that you may find on an occasional Icelandic menu, is the beautiful puffin. The puffin’s heart is considered one of Iceland’s delicacies.

As we look into the cuisine of this island nation, it is fish and sheep that rule the diet. Iceland has little arable land and a very short growing season but they do grow potatoes and turnips. Most of the other produce is imported.

Fishing is the main industry in Iceland and delicious types of seafood can be found throughout the island. Iceland has been criticized for recently lifting a ban and allowing whaling to be legal again. Minke whale is another item you will find on their menu. Evidently, it is a real treat for those that can get past the fact that it is whale. I have heard it described as the best carpaccio you will ever eat.

Icelandic cuisine however, does not have the best reputation, as they do have some strange items for which they are known. These are typically served as part of a Porramatur, an Icelandic banquet, served at the midwinter festival known as a Porrablot. One is called hakari, a fermented dried shark that some say, if you don’t throw up when you smell it, you can probably handle eating it. A few other delicacies are from the sheep; like cooking the whole sheep head and then of course, serving the testicles.

There was prohibition in Iceland on beer (and all alcohol for a while) from back in 1915 and beer didn’t become available for sale until March 1, 1989, popularly known as Beer Day. “Viking” is Iceland’s most popular beer. Other alcohol is sold in state run stores. Their most famous drink is Brennivin, known as “Black Death”, made from fermented grain or potato mash and flavored with caraway. It is described as an aquavit, as the steeping of herbs in alcohol to create schnapps is a long held tradition in Scandinavian countries. They also are the largest per capita consumers of Coca-Cola.

So let’s eat an Icelandic meal:

The Menu
Starter
Lobster Soup (Humarsúpa)

Main
Cod with Egg and Butter Sauce (Þorskur með Eggja og Smjörsósu)

Served with
Caramel-Glazed Potatoes (Brúnaðar Kartöflur)

Roasted Asparagus and Fennel

Dessert
Skyr White chocolate Crème Brulee

served with Blueberry Schnapps

For this meal we were thrilled to enjoy it with my sister, Dale and her husband, Bo, who were on their way back home to Texas. Dale does not eat red meat, so the menu was perfect for her. We set the table with the colors of the Icelandic flag; blue represents the surrounding Atlantic Ocean and the pristine skies, red represents the fires of the nation’s volcanoes and white is for the snow and ice that cover much of the land. We adorned the table with beautiful, white petal flowers that looked like the mountain avens; Iceland’s national flower. We added staves, magical symbols that are believed to keep Icelanders safe from harm.

Our first course was a rich and delectable lobster and shrimp soup. To be honest, I had never made my own seafood stock before, it was really easy to do and the flavor it rendered was awesome. The base was similar to a lobster bisque and we garnished with fresh thyme. Bo said it was the best he ever had. This is a keeper for sure!

For the main course, we dined on a perfectly cooked, filet of cod. (as James Brown would say, “Good cod!”) Cod is a much loved fish in Iceland, they even fought cod wars with the United Kingdom, back in the 1970s, to protect their cod fishing grounds. Our fish was baked and then covered with an egg and butter sauce that was creamy and delicious. The fish was served with roasted asparagus and fennel, another lovely combination of flavors. And then there were the caramelized potatoes; seriously, sinful potatoes that were definitely loved by all.

For dessert, a skyr, white chocolate, crème brulee. Skyr, (pronounced skeer) is a type of creamy, smooth, low fat yogurt, popular all over Iceland. My husband simply said, this was the best crème brulee he has ever had, and we all agreed! Finally a toast, “Skal”, means cheers in Iceland which went with a shot of blueberry schnapps. This was the finish to our unbelievably delicious, Icelandic meal.

Honestly, Iceland will have to go down as one of our favorites. The food was outstanding and good meals are always enjoyed best in the company of friends and family.

This week I wanted to give you a little extra something and introduce you to my nephew, Eliot. He has such a beautiful perspective on life and is real free spirit. He works on Oahu, Hawaii as a life guard. He has traveled to many exotic places including Iceland and was willing to share some of his awesome pictures and experiences with us. He went on his own, in the dead of winter and had the time of his life. Please note that all of the beautiful photos in this post were provided by Eliot! Enjoy my interview with Eliot:

How did you decide on Iceland and how do you pick where your next trip is?

That's kind of a tough one. I think it usually starts with a photo in a magazine or an exotic backdrop in a movie or book that sparks my interest and imagination. I think we are all guilty of daydreaming of somewhere far off and exotic from time to time. From there I start reading guide books, researching maps and photos and it pretty much snowballs into an obsession with a place until I buy my plane ticket. Iceland was no different. I think it was the "Secret Life of Walter Mitty" that first put it on my radar, then those otherworldly, volcanic landscapes just started to call my name...

What does travel mean to you?

For me, travel is my reset button. Day to day routines at home can get mundane and stale at times (even in Hawaii). You get numb to your surroundings and things around you. Some days you don't even remember driving to work or eating lunch. Traveling opens up your senses like nothing else. New sights, people and experiences are everywhere. Even just grabbing breakfast can be an adventure in a new city. That's what travel means to me, a great opportunity to live in the moment, just the way we are meant to do.

What about travel makes you feel like you're getting a true cultural experience?

I think the best way to immerse yourself in a culture is food! Food is always the nucleus of any culture, it brings people together like nothing else. A good meal in a foreign place gives you a taste of the local traditions, language, taboos, religions and social hierarchy. Dinner in a foreign country is like cliff notes on the culture.

What camera equipment do you pack to get such beautiful shots?

I use a Canon T3i, not the most expensive or best camera but it's light and gets the job done. (Some say it's the Indian and not the arrow.) Other than that I pack a tripod, extra batteries and a remote shutter button for long exposures. The key is patience and a lot of luck. At one point, I was freezing and started doing jumping jacks at 2am, wearing every piece of clothing I packed to stay warm just to get a Northern lights shot. So let's factor in a little resilience too.

What will stay with you forever on that trip?

My trip around Iceland had so many moments I'll never forget. One that stands out is camping by an icy lagoon, towards the end of my trip. There was a floating dock on the edge of the water. It was late in the afternoon and I decided to post up on the dock for the sunset with a couple of "Viking" beers. I brought my sleeping bag to keep warm while the air cooled off and some of my favorite tunes as well. Every couple of minutes, a piece of ice would break off and gently rock the wood platform. It was hypnotic and so relaxing that I ended up falling asleep before the sun went down. I woke up at 10pm, slightly dazed on the dock and I couldn't believe my eyes. Earlier in the trip I had seen some northern lights but they were nothing compared to what I saw this night. Huge beams of green, purple and golden light swayed from one horizon, clear over my head to the next horizon. It was a powerful moment; to dream about something for years finally and have it displayed right in front of my eyes. The solar storm lasted until 3am and I loved every minute of it. I'll remember that night the rest of my life. That's why I travel.

You can find Eliot on Instagram at eliot_beebe. He always has beautiful photos and inspiring thoughts to share; you should definitely follow him.

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Finland gets its name from early Roman references to the people there known as “Fenni” who occupied lands north of the Baltic Sea back in the early first century. Finns refer to themselves as “Soumalaiset” and their country as “Soumi.” This probably comes from the word “suo”, a Finnish expression for a bog or swamp. Finland is often called the land of a thousand lakes. There are nearly 200,000 lakes in Finland. The largest, Saimaa, is the fourth largest lake in Europe. Eighty six percent of the land is covered with forests including pine, spruce and birch trees, making it the largest forested area and biggest producer of wood in all of Europe. Most of the people live in the south, in the capital city of Helsinki, which is also the largest city in Finland.

Finland‘s neighbors are Russia to the east, the Gulf of Finland and Estonia to the south, the Gulf of Bothnia and Sweden to the west, and Norway to the northwest. The Arctic Circle makes up a quarter of her territory.

Finland became an independent nation in 1917. Prior to that Finland had been governed by Sweden and Russia. The people are primarily Finns, with a small, Swedish speaking minority along the coast and a tiny Lapp (Sami) group in the north as well as a few Roms (or Gypsies). The population is small with only 5.4 million people and it has one of the lowest population densities in the world; only 16 people per square km. It is, however, considered to be a welfare state with possibly the highest quality of life in the world. The country consistently ranks highest for best, small country, best, high-income country and best, educated country. In an attempt to encourage risk taking and entrepreneurship, Finland has a National Failure Day. October 13th is the day to free yourself from your failures…. What a concept! Interestingly, most of the Nordic countries rank high, perhaps the quality of life is better when one must get close to stay warm, enjoy a hot bowl of hearty stew and a cozy fire.

The temperature in Finland varies greatly between seasons yet they do have four distinct ones. Finland is long from north to south, which means the weather can vary drastically in different parts of the country. The amount of sunlight changes with the seasons and the latitude. In summer, the daylight hours are long, lasting almost 20 hours a day in the south. In the northernmost part of Finland, the sun does not set at all in the early summer. For this reason, Finland is sometimes referred to as the land of the midnight sun. The Finnish winter is cold and usually the entire country is under a permanent snow cover. The winters are also much darker; the south gets only about six hours of daylight and in the far north, the sun will not rise at all for several weeks. This is known as the polar night.

Near a small town called Rovaniemi, in Lapland, is where you can find Santa Claus and his village. The main post office there receives more than a half a million cards, letters and packages each year. If you would like to send a letter to Santa, the address is:
Santa Claus Main post Office Fl-96930 Artic Circle, FINLAND

The Lapp people, also known as Sami people, are indigenous to Lapland, in the northern part of Finland. They can trace their roots in Finland back more than 2000 years. The government has gone to great lengths to keep their cultural identity alive. The Lapp’s were a nomadic people, known for their hunting and fishing skills, but mostly as reindeer herders. Today, many make their living in the tourism industry, as well as in farming. Five percent still make their living as reindeer herders. The area of Lapland, although very cold in winter, is a tourist destination. It is one of the best places on earth to witness one of the seven natural wonders of the world; the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. This phenomenon is most visible between August and April, when charged particles from the sun are blown towards the earth by the solar winds. Since the earth's magnetic field is weaker at either pole, some particles enter the earth's atmosphere and collide with gas particles. These collisions emit light that we perceive as the dancing lights of the north (and the south.) Magnificent colors; turquoise, orange, crimson reds, yellows, greens and purples, light up the sky in incredible brilliance. The colors shift and morph in wavy curtains like a lava lamp. Peak season for the lights is in the winter months, where you can stay in a glass, thermal igloo or an ice igloo to experience this amazing marvel. Seeing the Northern Lights is on many people’s bucket list and Finland is one of the most spectacular places to behold them.

Sports are very important to the Finns and per capita they hold the record for the most Olympic medals won in both the winter and summer games. They also produce some amazing race car drivers in both rally racing (on closed off roads) and the ultimate series of Formula One. Three Finns have won the World Championship in Formula One. They are Mika Hakkinen, Keke Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen. Perhaps their success can be partially attributed to their cold winters. Ice car racing is a passion and obviously learning car control on ice and snow could be an advantage. By the way when driving in Finland it is mandatory that you turn your headlights on, day or night. Also if you get a ticket, you will be fined based on your income, along with the severity of the offense. One very wealthy Finn was fined 170,000 Euros for driving 80 km in a 40 km zone, OUCH! The Finns also get the record for hosting world championships. They have all kinds of contests, some of which are quite amusing, for instance: wife carrying, mobile phone throwing (this is likely due to Nokia being a Finnish company), mosquito catching, swamp soccer, boot throwing and air guitar, to name a few. Speaking of music, they also have the largest number of heavy metal, rock bands per capita, more than anywhere else.

Kids do not start school in Finland until they are seven years old and it is not mandatory to give a student a grade until they are in the eighth grade. Teachers are paid to spend at least two hours a week building lesson plans and assessing student progress. They are taught Finnish, the official language in school but many learn English, Swedish, Estonian and Russian as well. Finland has freedom of religion but the majority of Finns are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Parents decide on the religion for their children and when they turn 18 they are free to choose for themselves. If there is a disagreement between the parents regarding religion, the mother gets to decide how the child will be raised before the age of one.

Finland’s growing season is short and the cuisine is influenced by available local ingredients. In summer, berries are plentiful in the forest and it is a favorite past time to pick them and make jams to freeze for winter. Blueberries, loganberries and the most exquisite, cloudberries, are some of the favorites. Fish is also abundant with herring and salmon being very popular. Normally fish is served with potatoes, beets and of course, rye bread. They eat hearty in Finland, especially in winter, enjoying all sorts of stews and pies made with beef, pork or fish and filled with root vegetables and cabbage. Reindeer, served with mashed potatoes and topped with loganberries, is one of their most wholesome meals. Reindeer meat is high in B-12, Omega-3, Omega-6 and is very lean and healthy.

The Finns have come a long way in changing the poor reputation of their cuisine. The prime minister of Italy, named Bescolini, made a remark that Finland had the worst cuisine in the world, even worse than England! In 2008, New York held an International pizza contest in which Finland’s Kotipizza chain, won first place. Kotipizza's motto is "Pizza, Love & Understanding." Koti, in Finnish, translates to "home." The prize went to their smoked reindeer pizza, which they proudly named the Bescolini, to mock his disparaging remark.

So let’s eat a delicious Finnish meal:

The Menu
Starter
Karjalanpiirakat with Munovoi (Karelian pasties & Egg Butter)

Main
Yrttijuustolla taytetty lohi (Cheese and herb stuffed salmon)

Served with
Keitetyt Perunat (New Potatoes with Smoked Herring)

and Maustekrukku (Finnish pickles)

Dessert
Rikkaat Ritarit AKA Rich Knights (French toast with berry topping and whipped cream)

We decorated the table in the colors of the Finnish flag; blue and white. The blue color on the flag denotes the lakes and skies of Finland and the white color represents the snowy winters of this Nordic country. We used a checkered flag and a small race car to honor their car racing heroes. We, of course, had to include Santa Claus in our decor, since that is where he lives and added a brown bear, the national animal that makes the forests their home. Mushroom salt and pepper shakers completed the table setting as mushroom foraging is another loved pastime there.

We began the meal with a toast of vodka, a beloved drink in Finland. We said,”Kippis,” which means “Cheers” in Finnish. The first course is considered the national dish and called Karjalanpiirakat (Karelian Pasties.) It was named after a poet from the fifteenth century. The dough is made from rye flour and stuffed with a delicious creamy rice (or it could also be stuffed with a potato mixture) and baked. It is then served with egg butter on top. Egg butter is a mixture of butter and chopped, hard boiled eggs. It is one of the most popular innovations in Finnish cuisine. Yum!

The main course, was an amazing cheese and herb stuffed salmon. It was delicious. We served it with perfectly tender, baby, new potatoes and smoked herring, instead of pickled. To be honest, I am not a big fan of pickled herring but I love this smoked herring preparation! We toasted with another shot of Vodka and this time we said “Terveydeksi,” which means “To your health.” On the side we served Finnish pickled cucumbers; the taste both sweet and sour with dill; an herb used often in their cuisine.

For dessert, we served rich knights. This is basically a French toast, smothered with whipped cream and fresh berries. (If you just have the toast without the berries and cream they are called poor knights.) We savored them with a robust cup of coffee. The Finns are number one in many categories including consumption of coffee, so it was the perfect ending to our delicious, Finnish meal. Who knows maybe even Bescolini will give it another try!

After diner, we were off to the sauna; by far the number one thing to do in Finland! Statistically, every household has one. A little switch of birch branches is used to splash cool water on yourself as you steam. Another toast waited for us and this time we said “Pohjanmaan Kautta” or “Bottoms Up.” After the sauna, we jumped into a cool lake and alas declared we were Finnish.

Until next time,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

The name Denmark means “Borderlands of the Danes” and it’s known for being the happiest and least corrupt country in the world! The Kingdom of Denmark is a sovereign state, located in Northern Europe, which includes two other countries; Greenland (the largest island in the world) and the Faroe Islands. Denmark is the most southerly of the Nordic countries. She is a peninsula and part an archipelago made up of nearly 400 islands in the Baltic and North Sea, with about 70 that are inhabited. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges. The only country Denmark borders by land is Germany. Her neighbors just across the sea are Norway and Sweden, to the north.

Denmark is run as a constitutional monarchy and is the oldest kingdom in Europe, having existed for over one thousand years. Copenhagen, the capital, is a robust and romantic city which is home to Queen Margethe II (who is a figure head with no real political power) and to the Parliament, the country’s highest authority. Succession to the throne is hereditary although the law of succession had to be changed for a female to be crowned. Their queen has been the monarch for 43 years.
All Danes, at birth, are considered to be born into the Evangelical Lutheran church and are required to pay taxes to the church as part of their income tax. Although most of the population is part of the church’s membership, only a small percentage of the population are active participants. Freedom of religion is a right in Denmark and numerous other religions are practiced there.

Denmark has an extremely high tax rate, 50 percent, but in return they get free education (including higher education) and free health care. They have generous benefits for the unemployed, plus a full 52 week shared maternity and paternity leave. By the way, the language they speak in Denmark is Danish and it is considered the official language. However, they are taught English in the first grade as a second language and in the fifth grade, they are offered a third language, either French or German. Most will pick German. Higher education is a big deal, especially in Copenhagen. There are almost one hundred thousand university students residing in the capital city.

Denmark is a green energy country. There are more bikes in Denmark than cars and nearly half the population cycles to work and school, which is remarkable since they get on average, 171 days of precipitation. The county is known for its specially engineered cycle paths, which are segregated from vehicular traffic. Denmark is windy, with an average wind speed of 13 miles per hour and they make the most of it. As a pioneer in wind power, their turbines are used worldwide and wind power provides 39 percent of Denmark’s total electricity consumption.

The Danish are also known as being open minded in their views and strongly believe in equality. They were the first country in the world, in 1989, to offer gay couples most of the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, in the form of “registered partnerships.” However, Denmark only recently legalized gay marriage, in 2012.

There is no minimum drinking age is Denmark. Sixteen is the age you must be to buy alcohol and you must be 18 to drink in a bar. Drinking a "pilsner" beer is a favored activity of many Danes after work or when relaxing. Danish pilsners of note are Carlsberg and Tuborg.

The Danish are known to hold privacy as an important core value. They are not ostentatious and consider it rude to look at other’s private property or discuss salaries. In general they don’t show open expressions of feelings, as that is considered to be a sign of weakness and they hate to be interrupted in the middle of a conversation. In a group, you likely will not be introduced but once you are accepted into a Dane’s inner circle you will have the pleasure to experience what they call “hygge”, considered a fundamental aspect of Danish culture. There is not a literal translation in English for the word, but it basically means a “coziness” or “comfort” when relaxing with friends and loved ones. The practice is especially prevalent when it is cold and while eating and drinking in a special ambiance with flickering candles and good conversation. The Danish home is a place to relax and be oneself. It may take some time before you are invited into a Dane’s home, but if you ever are, consider it a great honor.

Denmark is a wealthy nation and has many exports, one being food (they are the fifth largest exporter of food in the world.) Nearly 2/3 of the land is arable and of course, fish are abundant in the surrounding seas. They also export machinery, engines, pharmaceuticals and furniture. The Danish furniture design, developed in the mid-20th century, is often described as functionalistic. They are also known for ship building throughout their many ports. Even toys are a strong export item. The popular building blocks called LEGOs that have sparked children’s imaginations across the globe, were developed in Denmark. The name LEGO comes from two Danish words “leg” and “godt” meaning “play well.”

Looking into the cuisine of Denmark is quite interesting. Not too many years ago, Danish food was synonymous with potatoes and pork. (Not that there is anything wrong with potatoes and pork.) In recent years, there has been a transformation into organics and locally foraged foods. This is called the New Nordic (or Danish) cuisine, thanks to the two pioneers, Rene Redzepit and Claus Meyer. They are the founders and chefs, of what has won the distinction of being, the best restaurant in the world, called Noma. It often requires making a reservation a year in advance to dine there. Although this New Nordic philosophy has changed their cuisine for the good, the Danish just voted on what should be considered the national dish; (what else) pork and potatoes.

Most Danes have three regular meals a day, a cold breakfast usually served with coffee or tea, a cold lunch at work and a hot dinner at home with the family. Breakfast normally consists of bread, cereal and jams. For lunch they have a specialty, called smorrebrod, (which came in second in their national dish contest.) It is an open faced sandwich, served on a dark, sourdough rye bread then topped with almost anything: fish, shrimp, beets, liverwurst, roast beef and pork. They are made beautifully with sauces to complement the toppings and eaten with a knife and fork. Dinner is the time for the family to gather and connect with each other. It is typically served at 6:00 pm. Dinner is considered a hot meal, with pork being the most popular meat served, along with a vegetable and dessert. Confusingly, the evening meal is sometimes called “middag” (midday) because hot meals were traditionally served in the middle of the day. Nowadays, with both parents working and children in school that tradition has changed.

The Danes also love coffee and are huge consumers, coming in fourth in the world. Aside from coffee they love sausages and hot sausage wagons are found all over the country. For a sweet treat they have an obsession with licorice, this “sweet root” perennial herb, which is member of the pea family, is made into a salty, black candy and much loved throughout Denmark.

So let’s eat Danish style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Gravlax (Cured Salmon)

and Rugbrod (Rye Bread)

Stjerneskud (Shooting Star Smorrebrod)

Main
Stegt Flaesk (Pork Belly with potatoes in parsley sauce)

Served with
Sukkerroer salat (Beetroot Salad)

Dessert
Aeblesksiver (Danish Pancakes)

We set the table with the colors of the flag; red and white. In Denmark their flag has a name Danneberg. It is the oldest flag in the world and was adopted in 1219. As legend has it, the flag fell from the sky during a battle and was seen as a gift from God. We decorated the table with Legos, some farm animals, as well as potatoes and other Danish delights. We lit candles so we could create the essence of “hygee.” We began the meal with a toast of Akvavit. This is the Danish version of Schnapps, made from potatoes. We raised our glasses with “Skal”, pronounced “skole”, which means cheers in Danish. Then I said “Vaersgo og spise”, which means, come on and eat.

The appetizer of smorrebrod, called stjerneskud, was outstanding. The rugbrod (Danish rye bread) and gravlax (cured salmon lox) were made from scratch and there is just something special about both of those being homemade. For the stjerneskud, the rugbrod was buttered and a piece of lettuce was added. The dish had a fried filet of sole along with a steamed one, which sat on top of the lettuce. The sauce was a combination of a tarter and cocktail sauce that went very well with the fish. This was a bit heavy for an appetizer, as this would normally be served for lunch, but since it was ranked so high in the Danish national dish contest, we just had to try it. One could of course, make small appetizer-size bites of just gravlax and rugbrod with different sauces and garnishes, which would be perfect.

After a bit of relaxation we had the main course served along with the fresh beetroot salad that was made in honor of the “new Nordic cuisine”. What is not to love about pork belly? It is so flavorful with that crispy skin and with those little new potatoes smothered in creamy parsley sauce, wow! We totally understand how this was voted the favorite national dish. The combination of the fresh beetroot with fresh horseradish and dill was delicious and welcomed as a refreshing side dish.

Next, we needed to go for a bike ride and peddle away those calories. Oh, wait, that would be right after dessert. I was originally going to make a Danish, I mean the Wienerbrod. I thought it was quite humorous that what the rest of the world calls “a Danish”, they call, Vienna Bread. I learned that this flaky, pastry crust actually originated in Austria. (Oh, and the Great Dane dog breed, is actually German.) Although, they have perfected the art of the pastry in Denmark, we enjoyed an original Danish dessert, the Danish pancakes called Aebleskivers with a cup of coffee to complete our lovely meal.

Then we said “Tak tor mad” which means, thanks for food, and we went for that bike ride. We rode to a nearby lake and sat down and read “The Ugly Duckling,” a tale by Denmark’s beloved Hans Christian Anderson. There we pondered if it was the fairy tales or the “hygee” that makes Demark the happiest country in the world. Perhaps both.

Until next week,
Warmest Regards,
Darlene

“The land where the earth ends” is the meaning of a native Aymará word, “chilli” and believed to be how Chile got her name. She is a long, sleek and slender country located in southwest South America. Chile is only one of two countries in South America that does not border Brazil (the other is Ecuador). Sometimes referred to as the “Shoestring Republic” her neighbors are Peru and Bolivia to the north, Argentina to the East, the Pacific Ocean to the west and Antarctica to the south. She has one of the longest coastlines in the world, at 2650 miles and is only 220 miles across at the widest point.

The great Atacama Desert, located in the northern portion of Chile, is a very dry and desolate place with some areas never recording even a drop of rainfall! The southern portion of Chile is cold and rainy with glaciers at the southernmost tip (this is where the penguins live). Both the north and south are sparsely populated in comparison to the rich, central valley of Chile where the fertile basin is fed by a Mediterranean climate and home to Chile’s capital city, Santiago. The majestic Andes mountain range provides a natural boundary all along the eastern border.

They call their language Castellano; it’s a Spanish dialect and considered the official language. Chileans are known for speaking very fast and having their own melodic speech that is quite distinctive from other Spanish speaking countries. Anymará and Mapudungu are native languages spoken by the five percent of the indigenous population. The majority of natives are from European and Indian descent.

Chile has made great strides in developing a middle class. The country is known to be an economic powerhouse in South America, attracting large number of immigrants due to its political stability and economic prosperity. Roman Catholic is the national religion and many festivals throughout the year are focused around their religion. Huasos are what the Chilean cowboys are called and rodeo is a much loved sport, second only to soccer, which is their national sport. The Andes provide wonderful skiing and snowboarding and the Pacific Ocean offers all kinds of beach activities including surfing, kayaking and of course fishing. Chile is considered an adventure rich country.

National Day is celebrated in a big way on September 18, the date in 1810 when Chile gained independence from Spain. You will find Chileans in colorful costumes dancing the Cuenca, their national dance, in the streets. The ladies wave their white handkerchiefs in the air while a giant festival ensues with traditional food and drink to celebrate.

Chile has taken a leading role in the export of salmon and is now the largest exporter behind Norway. With over 100 wineries in the country, Chile now ranks fifth in the world as a wine exporter and their wine is becoming world renown. Nearly everything imaginable can grow in its fertile central valley. It is common to find Chilean fruits and vegetables in grocery stores in the United States. Chile is also rich in minerals. She has the largest reserve of copper in the world, (one quarter of the world’s supply) along with lithium, iron, silver, salt, zinc, manganese, gold, coal and iodine. You may remember the dramatic rescue which unfolded in Chile a few years ago, when a mine collapsed trapping 33 miners some 2300 ft. underground. They emerged 69 days later as the whole country (and much of the world) erupted in euphoria. They became known as “Los 33”.

Chile has many islands in the Pacific but its most famous and most remote island, lies 2800 miles off the coast. It is called Easter Island or Isla de Pascua. Easter Island was named by Admiral Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutchman, who discovered it on Easter Day in 1772. The island is home to 867 Moais, which are large monolithic human figures carved from volcanic rock by the early natives. They are believed to represent deceased chiefs and deified ancestors, with very large heads. The largest was 33 ft. high and weighed 82 tons and one, unfinished Moai, was 69 ft. high and weighed 270 tons.

Chile is part of what is called the ring of fire; a very active earthquake zone. Chile gets the prize for the largest quake in recorded history, coming in at 9.5 on the Richter scale back in 1960. Large quakes are common there and something to which the citizens have grown accustomed. They even enjoy a drink called earthquake. Speaking of fire, Tierra del Fuego or “Land of Fire” is an archipelago off the southern tip of South America. Back in 1520, Magellan named these islands “Land of Smoke,” because of all the smoke rising from Indian campfires on the islands’ shores. The King of Spain however, thought “Land of Fire” was far more poetic and changed the name. Tierra del Fuego is divided between Chile and Argentina, with Chile claiming the majority, at 70 percent.

The cuisine of Chile is rich in flavors and tradition and definitely has regional differences from the north to the south. The many immigrants (especially the Spanish) have influenced the cuisine along with the customs of the indigenous people. Of course empanadas are cherished, as every South American country lays claim to their own version. One of their favorite foods includes a sandwich of German origin, called El Lomito. It is made with pork, sauerkraut, avocado, tomato and mayonnaise and is a “must have” when visiting Chile. Seafood is abundant and loved all over the country. Razor clams with cheese is another Chilean favorite. Potatoes and corn are used in many dishes and a salsa made of cilantro and onion, called Pebre, is found on nearly every Chilean table. There were so many wonderful choices it was hard to decide what to make for our meal. I finally picked what I felt was considered the most authentic dishes of Chile. And yes Chileans love to eat, they eat four meals a day. Dinner is served very late, typically after 9:00 p.m.
So let’s dig in:

The Menu
Starter
Humitas (Corn Tamale)

with Pebre (A Chilean salsa)

 Mote Con Huesillos (A wheat and Peach Drink)

Main Dish
Chilean Curanto (Seafood and meat traditionally cooked over hot stones in the ground)

Served with
Corn on the cob, Chilean Style

Dessert
Sopaipillas
(Chilean doughnut)

We set the table in the colors of the Chilean flag (Red, White and Blue). Their flag is very similar to the state flag of Texas in the United States and came into being from a suggestion to its designer by the U.S. Envoy, Poinsett in 1817. We decorated with many unusual varieties of potatoes and some candles adorned with penguins. We put on a little Reggaeton, which is popular music in Chile. (Any of you who have ever taken a Zumba class will recognize this infectious beat.) We began the meal with a popular non-alcoholic drink called “mote con huesillo”. This is a slightly sweet drink made with hulled wheat and rehydrated peaches. It is served cold and sold at street stands throughout Chile. In fact there is a saying in Chile “es mas chileno a que el mote con huesillo?” Which means “is it more Chilean than mote con huesillo?” Needless to say this is a yummy drink and classically Chilean.

For our starter, we enjoyed the humitas with pebre sauce. These corn tamales were a lot of work to make. I had the pleasure of making them with some neighbors of mine who are actually from Mexico but really knew how to make these the old fashioned way using a molino (a grinder used just for the corn kernels to get the proper consistency). Served with the Pebre salsa, which is made mostly of cilantro and onion, with a hint of chili and tomato, was the perfect accompaniment to the corn tamale, called Humita. I can see how this salsa is loved on many dishes, from meat to bread, in soups and casseroles… you get the idea.

Next up was the main dish and oh my, it was a boatload of heaven. Curanto basically means, cooked on hot stones. On the island of Chiloé, where this dish originated, it was made in a pit in the ground on hot stones. It is still made that way there on special occasions but stovetop and BBQ versions are also very popular. The dish has all sorts of seafood, pork, chicken, chorizo, potatoes covered with a type of cabbage leaf and cooked in wine. The result was outstanding. We loved it, although fair warning, it is a feast, a ton of food, so be very hungry! The main course was served with a Chilean corn on the cob that was also cooked on the BBQ. To be honest, although delicious, it was too much; the Curanto was more than enough food on its own.

For dessert (we waited awhile) and enjoyed what is called Sopaipillas. We made the sweet type. (There is also a savory type that is typically served as bread and topped with butter or pebre.) What we made was basically a fried doughnut dipped in a sugary sauce, seasoned with cinnamon and oranges. It was scrumptious!

The Chileans love a drink called Pisco, which is similar to a brandy and made in the Elqui Valley. It is commonly mixed with soft drinks, in particular Coca Cola, and is called Piscola. However, the most common version is what is called a Pisco sour, where it is blended with lemon juice, sugar, ice and beaten egg whites, served in a champagne flute and considered their national drink.

Chileans are a people with much national pride. It is more important to be Chilean than whatever your ancestry happens to be. When Chileans get married they each keep their maiden names, so married couples will have different last names. If you are invited to a meal, it would be appropriate to be about 20 minutes late and be sure to bring a small gift like flowers or a dessert wine. Salud is the most common toast in Chile and it means “Cheers”. If you happen to pour wine, don’t use your left hand, it is considered taboo.

As we leave this beautiful country I give you a few Chilean proverbs:
“Al que habla, Dios lo Oye” God hears the person who speaks. (Ask and you shall receive.)
“Perro que no camina, no encuentra hueso.” The dog that doesn’t walk, doesn’t find a bone. (You can’t succeed, if you don’t try.)
“Dime con quien andas y te dire quin eres” Tell me who is by your side and I’ll tell you who you are. (Birds of a feather flock together.)

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene
P.S. A little bonus!
My brother and sister-in-law are hosting a foreign exchange student this winter who just so happens to be from Chile. His name is Rodrigo, a junior in high school. I had the privilege of meeting him and of course, I had to make a nice Chilean lunch to help him feel right at home. He was really fun to talk to and anxious to share his culture with me. For his lunch, I prepared what is called Pastel De Choclo; sort of a shepherd’s pie but with a corn topping. The best part; Rodrigo ate the whole thing and exclaimed three times during the meal that it was just like home! I could not have asked for a better compliment. He took a look at the menu for the Chilean meal I had prepared earlier and said he was sorry he missed it. He felt Curanto was a perfect reflection of his country.
Gracias Rodrigo!
And for an added bonus I present:

Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Pie)

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