Deep in Lapland Forest...

We planned to meet up with Jessica at McDonald's, a common spot for Americans to rendez-vous in a foreign land, as not only easy to spot but also having free wi-fi let's us connect and contact while waiting. She arrives right on time, and we realized how nice and comforting to see a friend while far away from everything.

While strolling around town and having lunch, we asked her about filming, and she expressed the difficulty of shooting for this project. Not only having a language barrier, apparently Finnish people especially men, are reserved by nature and so she rarely receives any explanation, or a lending hand. They are warm-hearted people at heart, she added, they just do not express it the same way and same gesture we do. Then, she asked us if we wanted to come stay in her cabin, whether or not being able to see the herding. Without a pause, we nodded with unhidden, excited expression.

Her cabin, located about 2 hours north of Rovaniemi, is on an outskirt of a small town. Our conversation continued to never have a pause on the drive there; it seems we all missed the game of verbal ping-pong. The cabin was large enough to have us, and the sauna outside added an extra treat to this visit. We have been told by many that Finns are fond of sauna but never had a chance to take one during our 2-week stay,  even though there is a sauna for every three people in the country. Not only they steam inside, they wash their body, and in winter people take a dip into a frozen lake to cool off. Since the herders had no luck finding a herd that night, we cooked, wined, talked, steamed, and relaxed into the bright night.

Jessica received a message in late afternoon of the following day, that herders have spotted a group, possibly big enough for a shoot. Herders also okayed Sahe and I to come along, so we packed sandwiches and headed for the site. There are many caravans situated at the camp, but most herders were still out. After waiting for a couple of hours, a dozen of leather-jacketed, tanned men on mud-covered ATVs arrive for a break. Apparently, they have rounded up a small herd of about 100 reindeers, and will be chasing them into the fenced area to later match calves with mothers.

After a break, we were allowed to come along with herders to go around the forest behind the herd, to chase them into the fence. Reindeers, usually running around freely with least barriers, are easily frightened by any noise or movement. Chasing the herd is done in a primitive style, with a group of people including families of herders, spread out waving and making sound until reindeers are forced into smaller area.

This experience, having a chance to peek into the lifestyle of people, living side by side with the great nature of Lapland under extreme climate conditions, was nothing like we have seen, done, nor expected. For our journey of northern Europe, began a month and a half ago with a volcano eruption and an end-of-May blizzard, this was such a special, and perfect moment to cap off the first chapter.

For more information about Jessica's film, please click here