The time passed quickly, and we were in December, approaching 2014. I had made plans to visit my friends in Viborg to celebrate New Year's Eve together. I was so excited I could barely wait.
That December was bitterly cold. It didn't snow heavily yet, but a sharp, biting wind and freezing rain cut straight to the bone. You could hear the gale howling outside, making the old roof strain and groan against the pressure. I can still vividly remember the sound of it.
Imagine waking up early when it is so nice and warm beneath your blankets, but you have to force yourself out into the freezing wind and rain. It is pitch black, bone-chilling, and utterly unpleasant—yet the moment you start moving, it begins to feel better. I didn’t have to wake up early every single day, but on the mornings when I helped with the milking, our day started promptly at 5:00 AM.
Because of that, staying indoors felt like a true luxury. Building a fire in the hearth, brewing hot cocoa or tea, making a warm cheese sandwich, and curling up deeply on the sofa right next to the flames was pure heaven. Enjoying that weather from inside an old, cozy house tucked away in the forest—while the wind and rain lashed at the windows—was unmatched.
Danish people actually have a specific word for this exact feeling: hygge. I learned what it meant much later, realizing I had been living and breathing it back then without even knowing the term.
Hygge is a Danish concept defined by creating a warm, cozy atmosphere that promotes a feeling of contentment and well-being. It is all about enjoying the simple, comforting pleasures of life, such as sharing good food and warm drinks by a fire with loved ones or relaxing alone in a peaceful environment. Ultimately, it is a deliberate mindset of slowing down to appreciate a sense of safety, togetherness, and everyday coziness.
Living out there was undeniably cool; there was a genuine magic to that place. Between the tall trees, rolling hills, the heavy carpet of moss, and the crisp smell of the woods, it felt enchanting. Sometimes, while wandering through the trees, I would imagine hordes of Viking warriors passing through this exact same forest centuries ago, marching toward the ocean to prepare for their voyages. They might never have walked those specific paths, but thinking about it was incredible. Combined with memories of classic Danish fairy tales in my head, it brought an extra layer of wonder to the surroundings.
I loved walking through and around the forest. There was never anyone else around. It was remarkably quiet and peaceful, and for some reason, I never felt lonely or bored. Perhaps it was simply because I never had the time; it felt like I was on a special retreat governed by its own unique rules. Even when Taissa went away on a three-week vacation, I genuinely enjoyed that quiet stretch. I listened to audiobooks, explored the woods, kept things simple, and fell into a peaceful routine of work, rest, learning, reading, and repeating.
Meanwhile, I tried to explore the surrounding areas as much as possible. Without a car, getting far on a bicycle or foot was tough, so I had to master the local bus schedule.
*Video of me wondering around Randers*The closest tiny village was Enslev. Buses were rare there, but one ran in the morning and could bring me back at night. From Gjerlev, the transit options were much better, but getting there required a bike ride or a long walk—which took real effort in the winter wind and rain. Because of that, I preferred using the Enslev bus. You had to be there right on time because it left exactly at 10:27 AM. I remember it as clearly as if it were today, always arriving right on schedule.
Figuring out the public transit system gave me a wonderful sense of freedom to explore the region. I started traveling to Randers more and more. It is a small town, but very charming, exceptionally clean, filled with friendly people, and lined with quaint old streets. I loved just walking around and taking in the sights.
I still remember my first day in Randers, and I bought a hot dog. It was completely different from what I was used to: it had a very long sausage, a tiny bun, and just a bit of mustard-style sauce. It even felt strange to hold :)
Later on, I even brought Taissa along with me. She had never been to Randers and rarely ventured out on her own. We browsed a couple of boutiques and even visited the local zoo—known as Randers Regnskov (Randers Tropical Zoo), an incredible indoor rainforest right in the middle of town.
Time was coming to my trip New Year trip.
