Whilst travelling in Rovaniemi, Finland to visit the ‘Official Hometown of Santa Claus’ to celebrate Christmas with our 5-year-old in a fabulous, storybook winter setting we wanted to enjoy a ride in a Reindeer sleigh. Collected at our Chalet and were headed to the Reindeer Farm. We were introduced to Sami folk who were our tour guides for the day.
Soon after we arrived we were shown how to drive a reindeer sleigh. How hard could this be really? Reindeers are slow moving, I’ve got this. I volunteered for my Kidsetter and I to go first. We were riding deep into the forest, enjoying the scenery when my Kidsetter decides to throw a tantrum determined to grab hold of the reins to try steering. I knew that was a bad idea, but thought we’ve come all this way, I shouldn’t stop our Kidsetter from enjoying this moment. I reminded him whatever you do, don’t drop the reins ! He held the rope for only a second before dropping it in the thick snow; the reindeer sleigh rode over it and now our Reindeer couldn’t move. Suddenly I was stuck, with a screaming 5-year-old child and a Reindeer’s neck about to snap. Deep in the forest, stranded, with no help to be summoned. No one was around to help although we were calling out. What should have been an absolute magical moment quickly turned into a horrible experience.
Then suddenly another reindeer sleigh appeared with some tourists also directing it. Only problem they couldn’t speak English, I was yelling at them to please direct their reindeer around us however they were headed straight for us. I covered my Kidsetter as the reindeer antlers were going to hurt ! Meanwhile our reindeers neck still looked like it was going to break at any point. Reindeer are not known for the being the smartest of creatures so I knew their reindeer was going to collide with us. I couldn’t get out and run as my Kidsetter was frozen in fear. This was horrible. Screaming child. Braced for impact. A miracle occurred when the reindeer decided to go around us at the very last second and was almost trapped itself between us and a fence however our reindeer edged it’s neck in a slight way that unhooked the steering ropes I quickly jumped down to get them and we were able to move again. Needless to say, my Kidsetter never wanted to ride in a reindeer sleigh with me again. Over to daddy !
I was feeling spent after the reindeer ordeal and our Kidsetter spotted the sled slope! I didn’t feel like following him up and down the slope, however some other tourists were energetic and although we couldn’t understand the same language I gestured if they could assist our Kidsetter. I could see they were a little apprehensive being given the trust to help our Kidsetter down a fairly steep slope however I knew they could do it. Boy am I glad I handed over the reins (so to speak) because they were a young small group of Chinese tourists and our Kidsetter loved playing with them.
We were led into a tepee and experienced the ancient Lappish livelihood. Since prehistoric times, the Sami people have inhabited the northern arctic and sub-arctic regions of Fenno-Scandinavia and Russia for at least 5,000 years. We all took part in a special ‘Crossing of the Artic’ ceremony surrounding an open fire. A truly mystical encounter.
Before long, it was time to board the bus to return as to our chalet. Our Kidsetter decided he wasn’t interested in sitting with mummy and daddy at the front of the bus and walked straight to the back were his new friends were seated for the ride home. Although they couldn’t really speak the same language they were laughing and having fun. Listening to the giggles were priceless. Our Kidsetter had somehow worked out that they might understand Meridian and had recently learnt at school how to sing ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’ in Meridian. So, he starts to serenade his new friends with a Christmas song. They were so a taken back and applauded loudly. One of those beautiful crossing of cultural moments that can only ever be experienced as you travel. Unbeknownst to us, one of the young men could speak English. Afterwards he approached us and complimented our Kidsetter with his outgoing, positive attitude and fun spirit at such a young age. I was immensely proud as he is already becoming what we’ve envisioned him to become ‘A citizen of the world’.
