Survival Guide
Border crossing – so easy
On the river there are several official border crossing points. Although there are bridges to choose from, we tend to go for a neighbourly visit anywhere and with whatever vehicle we feel like: skis are good in winter as is a car, and in summer we take the boat, or swim. No worries!
The language we speak here is unique, here are a few examples:
- Molisin, solisit, solis, molisimma, tolisitta, nolis = I would be, you would be, (s)he would be, we would be, you would be, they would be
- Solekko tulla = come along (welcome)
- Sole poka mikhään! = No worries or let’s take it easy
- Ajjaa siutti = to pass, drive by
- Havilinen = free to use, perfectly extra
- Heti = (literally: immediately) soon
- Kläppi = a child
- Kävellä/mennä pahki = to bump into
- Käet = (literally: cuckoos) hands
- Lähteä völhjyyn = to come with
- Vasittu = particular
- Veitti ja kahveli = knife and fork
Poronkusema?
Poronkusema = ‘a reindeer’s piss’ is an old distance measurement used in Lapland. Poronkusema is the distance a reindeer can run in one go without peeing. While running, a reindeer cannot pee. Poronkusema can be up to 7.5 kilometres.
We’ll make some coffee
Having coffee is important. You may want to take some antacids with you unless you are a heavy duty coffee drinker.
