 |
 
1. What was your reaction when you first learned you had been chosen to be a Viking?
We walked into the Viking shoot blind. We had absolutely no idea what lay before us. I had believed that we were simply to be extras for a fairly large-scale documentary. When we were told that this would actually be an up-close, in-your-face type of project, I'm sure we all had mixed emotions. The fact that we would get to learn the skills and lifestyle of the Vikings created instant anticipation and excitement. I couldn't wait to get started! On the other hand, that camera was going to be RIGHT THERE! None of us wanted to knock ourselves out with our own battle axe in front of the world in living color. But this was a chance to do something most people only read about. The eagerness to experience this firsthand far outweighed any nervousness I might have had.
2. What do you believe was your biggest triumph as a Viking?
Being taught to fight with the battle axe and shield was an incredible challenge. For the most part, we used blunted axes, but as there weren't enough to go around, we used real axes as well. The fact that we swung these weapons at each other and didn't lose any major body parts was outstanding. The producers let us keep our shields when the project was finished. Every now and then I look at that shield, and the damage that was inflicted upon it by the weapons we used, and think, "Wow! We really did it." The clashes of arms you hear and see on the program are real. We ended up bruised and a little bloody, but we all walked away intact.
3. What was your lowest moment as a Viking?
The first night was hard. We all slept in a small, smoky hut on crude
wooden benches. The temperature hovered just below freezing, with only a
small fire pit in the middle of the room and the other people's body heat to
keep warm. It's amazing, though, how fast the human body and spirit adjusts.
The second night was easy in comparison, and we all felt like we had
overcome one of the biggest challenges we'd faced. It's funny to think that
with all the new skills we were learning, something as simple as sleeping
could present such an obstacle.
4. Overall, how would you rate your performance as a Viking?
We all did great! We banded together to conquer the problems we faced,
and I couldn't help but think that this was the way any civilization or
group of people overcomes adversity -- by teaming their skills when times get
tough. Everybody pulled their own weight, and then some. Much like rowing
the Viking ship, we all did our part and made the way easier than if we had
tried to rely on our individual efforts alone.
5. If you had to choose between daily life as a soldier or as a Viking, which would you choose?
I would definitely choose my modern-day existence as compared to the lifestyle we lived as Vikings. The whole concept seems romantic and adventurous when viewed on television from the comfort of your favorite chair. In reality, these people had it tough! The weather was a constant adversary; travel was done either on foot or by rowing a boat; and, of course, unlike our dramatization, these people lived in a constant state of readiness against attack.
6. Has your experience as a Viking affected or changed any aspect of your career as a soldier?
Soldiers and policemen have the unique ability to confront a situation while standing next to other soldiers and policemen that they've never met, and cooperate like they've known each other all their lives. The Viking warriors, I'm sure, shared this ability. This experience reaffirmed my conviction that the profession of arms is best served when pursuing a single objective, as a united force. As Vikings, we put any differences we had aside, and worked together. This is a lesson that I will continue to remember and benefit from during my military career.
7. Did your experience as a Viking live up to your expectations?
It exceeded my expectations in every way. I went in thinking I'd be
lucky to get a taste of the Viking lifestyle -- I ended up getting the full
banquet! My knowledge of Viking history was sketchy at best when we began
the project. I really had a lot to learn. The producers of the show did
it right -- from the first day, we stepped back 900 years in history and stayed
there until the project was finished. There was no retiring to the hotel
at the end of the day, or taking rest breaks in a warm building. For that brief period, we lived as closely as possible to the lifestyle of the past times, including all the discomforts and inconveniences that our culture has been able to since overcome.
|
|
|
