[This post is also published over at www.blogs.denmark.dk – the official website of
Denmark run by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
My sweetie friend H held a girly birthday dinner bash at her flat on Saturday night. After the main course, she got down to the serious business of unwrapping her gifts. One by one. Slowly. Giving everyone at the table the opportunity to observe and admire – as is the way in Denmark. Note to non-Danes: don’t thrust your gift into the arms of the host when you arrive. Instead ask, “Hvor er gavebordet hen?” (Where’s the gift table?) No matter where you are, be it a private home, church hall or posh hotel, there will always be an assigned tablewhere you can place your parcel.
Well, we oo-ed and aah-ed our way through the packages but this gift turned out to be the highlight of the evening…
A giant tube of kopattesalve. Or “cow tit ointment” 😉 Not the most attractive name, I grant you. But it’s a Wonder Product. The only cream which will protect your skin against the current arctic temperatures (which finally reached Denmark last week, along with a few snow flurries, after an amazingly mild winter).
Yes, this cream is used by Danish farmers to treat sore and infected udders. But also by breastfeeding mums, eczema sufferers and anyone who needs an extra rich moisturizing cream.
I’m choosing to believe the hype and am off to the chemist. Because I’ll be skinny dipping (vinterbadning) in the (partially frozen) Danish sea tomorrow morning and – with a windchill on the beach of minus 20c (minus 4f) – I’m looking for all the help I can get…
Have a wonderful Wednesday! 🙂