August 31, 2009

The Danish Wind.

I do not like the wind, in fact I dislike everything about it. The way it rips through my hair and face, it creates one of the most unpleasant weather types I know. And unfortunately, I live in one of the most windy parts of the world.

I have learned to accept the obvious fact; it is almost never wind still in Scandinavia. As with every rule, there are exceptions. A few days in the midst of the summer, noticeable for being unusually warm, the wind is absent. But, these days are few and far between.
The Danish wind is one of its kind. And the Danes have very early on realized that it holds power, which can be harboured and used to supply us with energy. A leading nation in both manufacturing and the use of wind mills, Denmark is world renowned for capturing the incredible power, which the moving air holds within.

But to live in a windy country is not at all pleasant. At least not unless one is born here. To the natives, the wind is good and welcomed. Often the Danes tell me how much they enjoy the way the wind moves the air around. They love the feeling of it against their face and skin when taking refreshing walks along the beach. When I then list all the things I hate about the wind, they will state the very obvious; there is no wrong weather, only wrong clothes.

I live on the east coast, facing across a narrow sound islands and land, which make up the eastern Scandinavia. Therefore, these parts are still relatively protected from the direct hits of autumn and winter storms. However, the west coast and the north of the peninsula I call home are exposed to the raging waters of the Atlantic. Those parts of Denmark experience strong hurricane force winds on regular bases.

There is however one advantage that the windy conditions provide at all times. The air quality. It is constantly superb and pristine. Anyone living in a large metropolis knows how the pollution can obscure the sun and the sky, giving rise to curfews and causing long term effects on the health of its population.
Such problem are unheard of here. We do not use any air quality indexes or codes as the air is always clean and clear, in cities or in the country side. This is a fact that I try very hard to remember every time I walk out of my door and feel my hair sticking to my lipstick, smearing my makeup and making me freeze as I yet again underestimated the Scandinavia weather and am wearing the wrong clothes.

The below is taken a couple of weeks ago. What some would consider being a storm in progress, is only an absolutely regular Sunday afternoon weather.


16 comments:

sujata sengupta said...

I am with you on this one..I absolutely hate the wind and what it does to my hair!! The video is super though and also the fact that the air where you stay is pristine..is a great thing!!

Lulda Casadaga said...

Some US states are more winder than others...when I lived in Oklahoma it was very windy...I guess that is why they have so many tornadoes. :D It's so flat there.

I enjoy the wind in small doses... the beach, or a real HOT day...and I also love to look up to the sky and see the puffy white clouds passing by...now, that's always a treat. This weekend we had some lovely white clouds passing by due to the remnants of a tropical storm.

But, I'm with you on the wind and hair on the lipstick! HATE THAT... I usually keep my car windows up for that reason! :P

Yes, Summer is slowly leaving us also...I've noticed here that some of the trees are already starting to shed!! :(

Diane said...

I love the wind as a rule. But when I read the title to this post, I laughed out loud, as Mel and I have a running joke about something called a 'lavender wind' (I'll have to tell you about it via email ;)

Claus said...

That much, that strong is common up there? Wow! Unless there's a hurricane coming, our "wind" is not as strong. It really must be an inconvenience for those new to it indeed! Never imagine such a thing in Denmark. Something new today! :-) Thanks for sharing.

Hilary said...

This surprises me. I find the wind comforting, invigorating and romantic. Sure it doesn't do much for our hair but we can tie it back. And yes it often brings goosebumps but we can add a layer. I absolutely love how it feels on my skin. I admit that's a fairly strong wind in your video and if it's like that all the time, it might become tiresome, but give me wind over snow any day!.. especially south winds. There's something magical about them.

Blogaire said...

Yep - looks very familiar to me PROTEGE, I was born on the west coast so we were always getting battered by Atlantic storms. I loved being tucked in in bed listening to the wind howling outside, but having to go out in it was so unpleasant. I still hate strong winds!

Holly said...

We get such strong winds here during the spring and the fall that some nights I lay in bed wondering if the house is going to blow over! But, I don't mind it so much because like you stated...it does keep the air cleaner.

Your trees are much prettier than ours are. I enjoyed the video.

Barbro Andersen said...

I wish I could live in Denmark!

Re:
Thank you, sweetie - that's so nice of you to say!

Baron's Life said...

Yes the wind of change is important...you get freh, pristine air as you say, but it could be very annoying also...parts of Canada are very very windy as well..I guess I need to move to warmer weathers

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Going with the wind... Kind regards. Philip

Phivos Nicolaides said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
steviewren said...

We don't have many days as windy as the one your video recorded. I like the wind, but then I've never been subjected to it in such strong doses day in and day out as you have.

Zuzana said...

=sujata,
glad to find a kindred spirit when it comes to wind.;)) Yes, I take the good with the bad when it comes to windy weather.;) Thank you so much for stopping by.;))

=Lulda,
I am with you all the way; a small dose of light wind that moves the corn in the summer fields, makes the ocean role and make the foliage in the trees rustle - nothing is more appealing.;)
It always makes me happy when yo stop by;)) xo

=Diane,
hehe, you crack me up! I so need to hear what lavender wind is, but I think I can guess.:P Once again, I wish for at least a day spend with you and Mel.;))

=Claudia,
yes, this is very common here. Of course, I manage to capture a "gust", although such gusts are here frequent.;)) But this gust turns into sustain wind on the west coast.;))
Your comments always make my day.;))
xoxo

=Hilary,
nope, hate when the wind is this strong. I like a gentle breeze that makes the nature come alive, but I dislike storms. But please enjoy it for me as well, dear friend.;)) xo

=Blogaire,
I so can imagine what you talk about as I believe the Danish west coast has similar weather to the Irish west coast. But then again, as the Irishman says, the Irish west coast truly ends in nothing; only a large body of water for thousands of kilometers. So the wind there must be out of this world.;))
So happy every time you stop by.:)

=Holly,
I recall the hot winds in the desert, they were pretty fierce even though I was there in July. It was as if having the hairdrier blowing right into my face, truly unreal;)) I think I can relate to the fear you feel during a stormy night, I feel it too. I have a large window facing west, into the direction of the common strong winds. During a storm, I can see it flexing in and out. This scares me out of my mind.;))
Always love your kind words.;)) xo

=Barbro,
I bet Norway is beautiful.;)) Thank yo so much for stopping by.;)) xo

=Baron's Life,
I guess we all feel like moving south when the autumn storm arrives. Sometimes I wish I had a retreat in the south of Europe, where I could spend the winters. Perhaps in my next life.;))

=Philip,
that is true, it makes it easier, doesn't it.;)))

=stevie,
yes, I also recall that the wind was non existent in North Carolina. I so miss the weather from there, it was perfect, just my kind.;))
Thank you for your always great comments.;)
xoxo

Keera Ann Fox said...

Ooh, I love the wind. Especially on crisp, clear days. One advantage we have in Norway that Denmark doesn't: Here, we have so many hills and mountains, we can always find some place to get out of the wind.

Zuzana said...

=Keera,
you are a true Scandinavian:;)) It must be incredibly beautiful with the mountains! Denmark is so flat and I was born in the mountains, so at times I miss the view of rolling hills and mountain ridges in the distance.
xo

Keera Ann Fox said...

I fell in love with the wind when I lived in the desert of southern California. Wind is the only weather there, and a brisk breeze on a clear, sunny day, hot or cold, reminds me of childhood.

As for mountains, I have never lived anywhere without, and I'm sure I'd miss them. I love how they make me feel small and empowered at the same time.

PS: I like your new layout!