An Afternoon Well Spent

Johanna (one of my Swedish corridor-mates) and I set out on a skiing adventure on this frosty, cold Monday afternoon. The weather and scenery could not have been more perfect. The sun was shining, the sky was clear and the cold winter frost bit your cheeks and froze your nose hairs.

I live in such a beautiful place!

 

Frozen land.

After skiing for about an hour and a half it only seemed appropriate that we stop to have fika. We sat in the snow and happily enjoyed our hot chocolate and cookie and felt the nostalgia of being a little kid again.

After our short break we clipped back into our skis and were off again. Fully present in, and absorbing the natural beauty which surrounded us.

Skis that are older than I am.

Johanna!

A lovely afternoon spent the Swedish way. 

A side note- In Sweden is is extremely rare for strangers to acknowledge one another on the streets, on the bus or in the train. Swedes just don't give a friendly "hello" or smile to those they don't know EXCEPT when you are out enjoying nature. This ski trip was the first time since I arrived in Sweden that strangers have said "Hej" or "livet blir inte bättre än så här" meaning "life doesn't get better than this."