Reflections from my solo trip to Norway

Ideas to deepen in my every day life

Each time I travel, I like to reflect on the idioms and practices of the country I'm visiting. I think deeply about what resonates with me, what interests me enough to incorporate into my daily life, and which practices align with my personal core values: connection, freedom, zest, and creativity. By the way, we all have a set of core values, whether we can articulate them or not. They're always present in our everyday actions, influencing what brings us joy and what frustrates us. If something is frustrating or challenging, it’s likely because a core value is being compromised. 

Now, back to reflections from my solo trip to Norway. 

Here are a few things I reflected on and plan to continue deepening in my everyday habits and routine.

Center nature and the outdoors

In Norway, nature is the main character, and people and homes are the supporting cast. Urban and suburban sprawl are not priorities here. My experiences on the Lofoten Islands and exploring western Norway highlighted how humans and their homes are dwarfed by the fjords, rivers, ocean, trees, and waterfalls. Because nature reigns supreme, the culture centers around it. Norwegians take care of their environment well—I hardly saw litter anywhere. They also go about their lives in all weather conditions. It rained so much in Bergen, yet I still found joy in it. I appreciate how Norwegians live alongside nature, embracing it fully. This outlook inspired me to jump into the open sea several times on cold, rainy mornings in Lofoten. I’d never do that in the U.S., but in Norway, it felt perfectly normal (and I felt confident I wouldn’t grow an extra toe in Norway’s pristine waters). 

I’ve always prioritized hiking, camping, walking, and paying close attention to the changing seasons, sunsets, and sunrises, but this trip has heightened my appreciation even more.

Fjord cruise in Western Norway

Uttakleiv Beach in Lofoten Islands

Haukland Beach in Lofoten Islands

Somewhere on the road to Haukland Beach in Lofoten Islands

Your vices will cost you

I learned from my tour guide that there are higher taxes on eating out, alcohol, and cigarettes in Norway. Essentially, vices are costly because these habits can place a burden on the universal healthcare system. I don’t know all the ins and outs, but I did notice that alcohol and dining out were expensive. The restaurants weren’t packed, and I could easily get a table. I saw many people eating packed snacks and lunches instead. As I observed this, I thought about how the American culture of eating out has increased, especially with services like Uber Eats, and wondered about the potential burden this might create in the years to come. Oh, and piling your plate with vegetables such as cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes at breakfast was a thing I noticed. I’d like to incorporate this in my morning meals. 

Oslo, Norway

Svolvaer, Norway

Simplest solution always 

A local told me that an informal Norwegian motto is: “The simplest solution is always the best solution.” He mentioned that Norwegians are known for their practicality and for avoiding unnecessary complications. I noticed this in the simplicity and sparseness of my hotel rooms, how meals were served, and in the products available. A raincoat I bought folded neatly into a pouch that could be hung on a backpack or placed in a purse. Wooden cutlery was provided for my takeaway—duh, plastic isn’t good for nature. Some restaurants even offered blankets for outdoor seating, because that just makes sense in their weather conditions. The architecture of homes and cabins seemed to be  designed with simplicity and function in mind. 

Real quiet luxury 

Typically, when I travel, I can easily spot personal style that signals wealth or the desire to project that perception—a Chanel handbag, scarf, or shoes here and there, or a perfectly Instagrammable outfit ready to catch the light. But in Norway, I couldn’t make any of these distinctions while people-watching. There seemed to be a quietness to wealth—a real quiet luxury. This quiet luxury often wore hiking boots and pants with bag packs. People seemed to prioritize practicality and function instead of overt displays. The homes I passed by appeared modest in size from the outside. I didn’t spot any U.S.-style McMansions on my seven-hour train journey from Oslo to Bergen, just mostly quaint homes.

Bergen, Norway

Aker Brygge Oslo, Norway

Museum of Art, Design & Architecture in Oslo, Norway

A village view on ferry boat

Semblances of Freedom 

Personal sense of freedom and safety differs greatly when traveling depending on your racial, gender, class, disabilities, sexual orientation identities. A sense of freedom looks different for everyone so hold my thoughts here lightly. I felt very free and safe in Norway as a Black woman traveling solo. Of course I got a few lingering glances in small towns in Lofoten and Bergen. I stayed in Svolvaer and ventured to Henningsvær and Lekenes which are small fishing villages with populations ranging from 500 to 5,000 people. My presence was noticed but I never felt unsafe or experienced any microaggression. In fact, people seemed to just mind their own business and go about their day. I didn’t receive exceptional service or bad service, I seemed to get the same consistent nonchalant attitude Norwegians give everyone else. No over the top fake niceness (let me show you I am good to Black people or let me sit you by the crappy side of the restaurant which happened to me in Greece and high end restaurants in the US). I actually appreciate it when people are indifferent and keep the same energy they give everyone, that’s authenticity. 

Knowing that the crime rate is very low in Norway was reassuring as solo traveled. When someone told me in Norway you can look up anyone you encounter and get info about them made me sleep even more comfortably. This is a practice known as “åpenhet,” which translates to openness or transparency. This concept allows for public access to personal information including property, salary and other financial info. Apparently, it helps with gender equality in pay and pushes people to operate with integrity because you can easily be found. 

Disclaimer: I know that my personal assessment here is based on a tourist’s short term lens. The nuances of Norwegian culture/lifestyle is much more deeper for locals. These are my surface-level thoughts as a mere tourist passing through and making meaning of a memorable experience. Allow this post to sit with you as my simple first glance look at Norway and naive to all the downsides. Don’t worry, I got plenty in America to wrestle with.