Rocking Out In The Mountains!

It feels so good to be able to live my life a little more to the full now the PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder caused by chronically low hormones) is slowly fading away.

So when the opportunity arose to grab a last minute ticket to a unique Norwegian festival, you bet I went for it! AND it so happened one of my favourite girlfriends was going too! 

Nestled between 2000m peaks in Jotunheimen for a few days in July are hundreds of colourful tents and lavoos (teepees). They overlook a huge lake that looks tropical in the sun, but will rejuvenate any weary festival go-er with its freezing waters!

Welcome to Vinjerock - only Norwegians could pull off a brilliant adventure music festival in the middle of nowhere!

They allow dogs, although not encouraged, and as I couldn’t find a dog sitter, Woolfie joined us!

My period arrived a weekly early, so I really wasn’t sure how this was going to go… I knew it would more of a chill vibe for me, rather than girl gone wild!

I went in with zero expectations, but with so much hope for fun, dancing and adventure.

Once I blew up my tent (yes, you heard me right - instead of tent poles, you blow it up!), I started the festival like everyone else: with a 3-hour nap!

I woke up just in time to help my friend and her friend pitch their palace tent (it was enormous). 

My friend and I met at a ski festival earlier this year and she’s such a badass on the split board, so let’s call her Badass Girl.

After walking Woolfie I tied her to my tent - in hindsight not the best idea - and we went to checkout the music.

The first night Woolfie did super well, the following night an old shoe was a casualty, the next night was her pink water bowl. Another night, I was also shocked to find my tent in a sad deflated pile! Thankfully she just pulled a valve and the tent was fine, after that I tied her by my tent in the bushes, which she loved!

During the day we hiked in the most spectacular weather (best of the summer so far!), made new friends, went wine tasting, bathed in the lake, and spent our evenings listening and dancing to all kinds of music - from rock to pop and heavy metal.

Some of the music really wasn’t to my taste - the heavy mental was too much for me and the lead singer was right on brand looking like a zombie! 

The last night was spectacular and made me remember how powerful live music can really be.

Faye Wildhagen channelled her music in the most beautiful and electric way as the sun was setting behind the mountains. I could feel it beating through my heart. She was beyond amazing. I haven’t stopped listening to her songs ohmygod and Reason.

Arif Murakami followed and was super cool. 

I really went into his performance with the intention of being in and fully embracing my wild feminine ways, and his music activated it in magical ways.

We were packed in like sardines under the fresh mountain midnight air, and his rap music with a heavy bass vibrated through us. The way he channelled and directed his music was incredible.

Here’s an extract of what I shared with my coach:

“As I was dancing, I was seeing my divine feminine completely spread out from me in a kind of diamond cut shape, in pinks, blues and gold spirals. I really felt an abundance of love, that I was also spreading out to everyone. 

What was also really cool is that over the hour I had three men say, “Hey, I see you’re being pushed, let me shield you", and they protected me from all the shoving with zero expectations of anything in return!”

Talking of men… Woolfie proved very popular with the men and the ladies. She acted like an absolute princess, holding her heard high with a very proud look whole being adorned with affection. 

Baddass Girl and I noticed Woolfie was a great hunk magnet, but we soon realised they doted on Woolfie and ignored us! So not as helpful as we’d hoped!

There were a lot of drunk festival go-ers coming up to us, and they were so polite, always asking if it was ok to stroke her. I am always amazed by how much the Norwegians drink. I mostly gave up drinking over 10 years ago when I was unwell the first time, and now just have the occasional drink. Since rebalancing my hormones, I haven’t had anything in 8 months. So being surrounded by very drunk (and high) people for 4 days was insightful! Thankfully the Norwegians are kind and well behaved, so I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe.

I did enjoy some cider (big thank you to my friends who split pints with me!) and we went wine tasting, which was such fun! 

You may have also heard the stereotypical Norwegian as being shy/aloof, unwelcoming and hard to make friends with. This can be true, but when they’re in the mountains they’re very friendly and fun! We had no problems making friends and collecting new skiers for the winter season shenanigans! 

To make friends quickly in Norway, I blow past all Norwegian social rules, and just invite myself on trips or invite Norwegians I’ve just met for coffee or on adventures, offering to help out with local events, whatever it takes if I like the person!

However, I have learned that I would rather be a little lonely or have few friends who share my values, than have friends who don’t share my values and I don’t completely vibe with. 

Not having someone to do something with has never stopped me from enjoying life. I have travelled, lived and worked all over the world on my own, and I can assure you, that you always meet people along the way that enhance your experience! Or get a dog, they’re truly wonderful for company :) 

Snakkes, Adelaide x