Submitted by Clara Hernandez on the 2020 spring semester DIS program in Copenhagen, Denmark…
This past week, I traveled with my host mom (Tina) to the northern beach of Tisvildeleje. It is a small town, which used to be home to mostly fishermen. The houses built on the beach are very close together, practically in each house’s backyard. However, that was very typical of the fishermen’s homes.
I went out onto the beach with Tina leading the way, and I was able to take a look at the Northern Sea. In comparison to being inland just a few minutes ago, it was now extremely cold and the wind really picked up. There were small boats flipped over in the sand along the sea grass, and a larger sailboat docked in the water. The wind was tipping it over to an uncomfortable angle. The most shocking thing, however, was seeing a group of locals sprint out onto the beach and into the water, wearing summertime bathing suits. They only stayed for a few seconds, and immediately ran back into their house.
Tina told me that this was a typical thing for those who live near the water. She said it is really good for your heart when you jump in the ocean and then get into the sauna, which was the big building I saw the locals run into. This was so extreme to me. I could not imagine how cold that water must be, and doing that regularly in the name of health. Tina says the people who do this are the real Vikings.
