Herräng

What’s Herräng, you might wonder. It has nothing to do with herring as far as I know. It is the name of the place where the biggest and with 30 years probably oldest swing dance camp of the world happens every summer for 5 weeks long. Every swing dancer of the world knows about it. I happen to be here this year, taking one week of “Authentic Jazz” (with 18 lessons in 6 days), and one week of Balboa.

I took a bunch of buses today to get here from Stockholm, a bit worried, because smart as I am I had searched and found the only negative camp review there is in the world wide web, with a lively description of accommodation, food and organization.

Having read this and keeping the advice of other Herräng-goers in mind my main concern was to find a good bed where I can breathe. General accommodations means classrooms and the gym of the local school packed with bunk-beds. I was lucky, I got a bed close by the window in a room that only holds maybe some 40 beds; and I already put up a germ shield that hopefully prevents me and my neighbor to the side from exchanging any diseases and maybe rolling over. Apparently, a diverse mix of viruses likes to spread at Herräng, the camp situation being the opposite of quarantine and more like a chicken pox party.

Quite happy with my choice I could relax a bit and took a stroll through the tiny village of Herräng with very friendly new acquaintances. We found the little grocery store, the marina and the beach. As it is the Baltic Sea and the water didn’t hurt my feet I decided to go swimming tomorrow morning. To make it easier to get in I am planning to run the one kilometer there.

I purchased a meal plan which will provide me with breakfast and dinner everyday, so I don’t have to take care of that. Dinner today was good already and I especially appreciated the choice of salads.

The only other thing I did today apart from registering, bed-hunting and socializing was attending the town meeting. Town meeting is every night, when the whole camp comes together for announcements, performances and just general entertainment and awesomeness.

It’s my first day here and I already picture my future self as one of those people whose eyes go all dreamy when asked about Herräng. And no, I haven’t even danced yet.