September 27th is World Tourism Day, a United Nations holiday encouraging travel. As we local Wisconsin Dells residents know, tourism is big business. According to a United Nations website, https://bit.ly/3MD9G14, “tourism is one of the world’s most important economic sectors. It employs one in every ten people on Earth.”
Travel helps countries’ economies, but on a personal level, it allows us to experience other lifestyles or cultures, connect with others, and build lasting memories.
In 2015, my husband and I experienced all those things when we traveled to Norway. Even though it was nine years ago, I think of it often. We met with a distant cousin of mine, Per Moen, who spends half the year in Massachusetts and half the year in his beloved, native Norway. He and his wife joined us aboard the Hurtigruten, a Norwegian working ship. We shared meals, a trip to see the family cemetery, and personal stories such as how Per’s family had a tradition of taking a hike every Sunday.
That trip also taught me about the indigenous Nordic people, the Sámi. We traveled on crude roads with signs in both Norwegian and the Sámi language. Our van had to pause to wait for a herd of free-roaming reindeer to cross the road, a moment in time that’s etched in my memory bank. Reindeer herding is still an important way of life for many Sámi. We travelers learned a fascinating fact. The Sámi herders and reindeer were free to roam wherever they chose, including crossing the Russian border. We also learned that a foolish tourist wanting just the right picture crossed into Russia and was detained for several months and fined.
The reindeer finished crossing and we resumed our journey to the Sámi camp. An older man dressed in traditional Sámi folk dress invited us inside his lavvu, a tepee-like structure made of reindeer hides. A fragrant wood fire in the center of the room provided warmth and light. After we’d found a seat on a hide-covered bench, he offered us a cup of reindeer broth. I admit I hesitated for a second. But the fun of travel is experiencing new things. I sipped the broth. It was surprisingly delicious!
As we soaked in the ambiance, the herder told us about the reindeer people. Their clothing is unique to them and identifies their hometown. We also learned how, in the spring, Sámi follow tradition by cutting their family symbol into the ear of reindeer calves to help identify their stock. After butchering the reindeer, they freeze, smoke or dry the meat. The hides are scraped, soaked, dried,and stretched before making them into bags or clothing or coverings. We got to hear joik (yoik is the anglicized version of the word) which is a traditional form of song in Sámi culture.
World Tourism Day is a good reminder to connect and experience new cultures. In other words, to taste the reindeer broth. Consider planning a trip or keeping it local. Our area offers experiences such as the Dells’ Parson Indian Trading Post ,where we can learn about the Ho-Chunk. Old World Wisconsin, with its costumed re-enactors and authentically restored historic homes, is a fascinating living museum in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Or you might want to explore Norskedalen (which means the Norwegian Valley), a nature and Norwegian heritage center in southwest Wisconsin.
You might choose to celebrate World Tourism Day abroad or close to home. Either way, drink a toast to the fascinating diversity in our world. Enjoy tasting the reindeer broth.