Shopping in a Northern Land

I am no stranger to cold, northern climates. After living for close to four decades in far northern Maine, multiple trips to Sub Arctic and above the Arctic Circle — including in winter months — once could assume I’m a pro at gearing up and packing for Nordic adventures.

You could assume, but in this case you would be wrong.

After making, revising, re-revising and re-re-revising packing lists for this current trip to The Arctic Hideaway off the Norwegian coast and miles above the Arctic Circle, things somehow went awry.

Because there I was, on a small, windswept island out in the Norwegian Sea in the middle of May with multiple short sleeved light weight shirts and one — count them, — one long sleeved shirt.

Luckily I did remember to at least pack a hoodie jacket and raincoat. But given the chilly temperature made even more so by strong island winds and the dampness of the sea, I really could use another layer or two.

Now, this is not the hardship one might imagine it to be. While it’s common knowledge among my friends that I am not a fan of clothes shopping, I am a fan of Nordic Scandinavian styles and that is enough to get me into the shops.

It was a simple matter to book passage on the morning ferry from the island community of Fleinvær to Bodo on the mainland. 

Bodo is a small city and a really nice one. It’s got great cafes, museums, galleries, lodging and like most European cities is quite walkable.

Among the shopping opportunities are a collection of used and vintage clothing shops. I decided to make the local Salvation Army store my first stop.

Turns out, it was my first, last and only stop.

My dear friend Julie is a pro at scoring vintage and used clothing deals. So I channeled her shopping mojo and within minutes I was clutching four gorgeous lightweight long sleeve sweaters to my chest. On my way to the dressing room to try them on I passed a clerk getting ready to put out a fantastic long white and black striped shirt. I did not exactly snatch it out of her hands, but I was pretty happy when she said I could try it on before she even had a chance to hang it on the rack.

Did I really need four sweaters and a long sleeve shirt? Need is such a strong word. They all came with me for the bargain price of $40. I was almost out the door when I spotted the wonderful long sweater/dressing gown that would be perfect for going in between the sauna and polar plunge back on the island. So I grabbed it, made a U-turn back to the checkout counter and added another $8 to my total.

Will I keep all of them or donate one or more back when my time on Fleinvaer comes to an end? That remains to be seen.

As for those short sleeve shirts? I’m really hoping it’s warm enough for them when I’m touring around Germany and Austria in three weeks. Stay tuned…