Interview with Tor

About five years ago I went to magic Tromsø. 

One day I booked a trip that includes, among other things, a tour on a sleigh pulled by reindeers. Definitely an experience to be thrilled only thinking about it.

When I arrived in the reindeers area I met a blond guy with blue eyes and a charming smile dressed according to the Sami tradition. 

(photo taken by Matt Andersson)

His name is Tor and his population has a fascinating history.

Tor, could you tell us something about Sami?

“Sami people are the indigenous people in The Arctic. They have been living here for thousands of years from the land and from the sea. Close to the nature. 

The amazing thing about Sami is the culture and lifestyle: it is still very much alive here in Arctic Norway, especially in Kautokeino.”

(Tor’s family)

While describing the typical clothes you had that day, I particularly focused on a pair of gloves made of reindeer leather and I remember you mentioned how dangerous the cold can be. What is your relationship with the nature and the mountains?   

“I grew up very close to the nature and learned how to live with it, respect it and take care of it. In a way that I could also harvest the goods from it.  Anything from materials, food and many magical experiences!”

I finally took the sleigh tour and I got very affectionate to the reindeer which I started calling him by name. We sometimes stopped to feed them but eventually…I “saw”reindeer  again served into the soup!
There is a proverb in Italian that quotes  -del maiale non si butta niente-  it means that you use everything from the pork and if I understood correctly, the rule is the same for reindeers here!  

“Yeah the “rule” is the same with reindeers! I learned from my grandfather. This was a “deal” that Sami people made with the nature (so they could harvest from it in a good and respectful way for long time): if you take a life of an animal, do it with respect for the animal.Make sure to use absolutely all the meat and materials from it.Know how to take care of all the materials you get from the reindeer. For example: use the hide and tendons for making clothes, the antlers for usable things like lasso ring,  intestines, blood, head, eyes, brain, meat, kidneys, absolutely everything. We learn much of this preparations at very young age at home and at school in my home town Kautokeino.”

 After having dealt with so many tourists from all over the world, what type of traveller do you consider yourself?

“I consider my self more as an adventure and sports traveller. It may happen I visit a big city a day or two during a journey.Loves to explore new and not so touristic places.”

What destinations do you prefer? 

“I am traveling Europe at this time. Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. But I have of course some dream destinations too.” 

Do you like to travel alone or together with other people? 

“I prefer traveling with some one I can share all the moments, and experiences you get on a journey.”  

What has been the hardest or most dangerous time you experienced during one of your journeys?

“I try to keep my self and the person I’m traveling with safe. So far, so good. I haven’t had any dangerous experiences yet. But of course, some of the sport activities I do might involve some risk. My hardest mental experiences I have ever done, was climbing Svolvær Geita in Lofoten during a windy summer night. My first mountain climb. When I got back home in Northern Norway my “guard” was down.”

(From Lofoten Norway)

(Photo taken by Matt Pain)

What do you do now?

“Now I work as a plumber in Tromsø. Love my job, and I enjoy the company I work for. It allows me follow my passion for the outdoors and the activities I do in my spare time.” 

(photo taken by Matt Pain)

Tor, may you suggest some tours or places to people who want to know more about Sami people and your beautiful traditions?”

“I will recommend everyone to visit Kautokeino in Easter time. That’s the time when all the biggest events are happenings. Sami Grand Prix, reindeer racing, lasso competition, snow cross championship, reindeer taxi, ice fishing competition, snowmobile tours in the arctic tundra, ice cinema and concerts are some of the things you can experience during that week. All Sami people dress up that week with their traditional clothing for celebration.

Sami Easter festival is something you just have to experience!

Aurora Borealis or Guovssahas as we call it in Sami language means “the light you can hear”!

I grew up having Guovssahas outside my door, up in the sky every evening and night during the cold winter. In Kautokeino, me and my friends used to take our snowmobiles out to the tundra in the wilderness.  Away from lights, and where it’s completely quiet. We were laying down in the snow, looking up. No sound from anything other then my breath, and the crackling sound from the intense Guovssahas dancing above our heads. No worries. Just me, my friend and Guovssahas in the middle of nowhere experiencing something incredible, close and intense. But still so remote and peaceful!

(Tor with his cousins)

In Kautokeino

Www.samieasterfestival.com

Www.sokkiadventure.no

Tromsø is mostly visited by people at Christmas time and around new year for winter activities such as reindeer sledding, dog sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoe touring and to experience the dark period and aurora borealis.

I will recommend also to visit Tromsø in March – April. The days are longer with more sun. You can experiences the mountains and the beautiful landscape around Tromsø island. Cross country skiing and snowshoe hikes up to top of some of Tromsø’s beautiful mountains in sunny conditions.

In Tromsø

Www.tromsolapland.no

Reindeer sledding tours.

Authentic Sami company runned by Sami with only Sami guides.

Www.arcticx.no

Dan is the man who goes all in to get you to experience the Aurora.

Www.tromsooutdoor.no

Ski, splitboards, snowshoeing, outdoor equipment rental and guided tours.

Tromsø’s best rental shop!

I really loved Tromsø, I started to love it from the first look from the sky!

I loved his tranquillity and cleanliness, I loved the friendliness of the people and their smiles. It is small but full of things to see, with that atmosphere of carefreeness that only a happy town can give you.

I really recommend to all of you to go to visit Tromsø and…I can not wait to visit Kautokeino!