Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Top 10 Things things YOU need to know about the trip!
If you know me, you won't be surprised that I'm making a list. It's what I do. Enjoy my ramblings!
Top 10 Things YOU Need to Know About The Trip:
1. Last year when our entire family went to Japan for three weeks, my Mom instated the best travel rule ever: Everyone is allowed to have one melt down. It's all right to be upset, frustrated, irritated, and downright exasperated. It's all right to express these feelings but once you're finished pitching a tiny fit, pick yourself up and move on. Go eat a Nutella crepe and move on with your life.
2. If you ever go to Europe (or travel anywhere, for that matter), try as many things as you can and eat as much as possible. Especially if you're in Paris. The croissants are heavenly. In my opinion, they're even better than crepes. If you can find the croissants filled with apricots and custard, those are the very best. Although, now that thinking about it, the basic chocolate ones are amazing too.
Macaroons are also incredible. They're expensive for being so small, but if you go to the Louvre, the cafe there has larger ones so you get the divine taste for a better deal. The lemon ones are best. Well, the salted caramel ones are great too. Wait, no, definitely get the pistachio. Or the orange blossom. Okay, just buy a whole box and don't share.
As for other food, Brunost (brown cheese) from Norway is fantastic, Belgian chocolate is deservedly legendary, Belgian waffles are outstanding (especially if you buy them from Wally in Amsterdam), and goat cheese anything is always the absolute perfect thing to order for a main course. As you probably already figured, London is not known for impressive cuisine. But if you're into baby food peas and fried fish, the British metropolis has some pretty good food, too.
I could seriously go on and on for hours about the food. It was so good. For some of it, like the apricot custard croissants, I barely have words. Promise me that if you ever go to Europe, you will embrace and taste anything that comes from a patesserie, brasserie, pub, cafe, bakkerij, chocolate shop, crepe vendor, or waffle stand. You will never ever, in a million years, regret it.
3. Airbnb is fantastic. It's so much better than staying in a hotel. You can get the real feel of a city by staying in an actual person's authentic house/apartment. In Paris, I felt like I was staying in a girl friend's apartment. In Amsterdam, our room was twice as big as a hotel room would have been and the location couldn't have been better. Airbnb is one of the best travel tips I could ever give.
4. It's a huge timesaver if you order tickets ahead of time. We were spared from a two hour wait at the Anne Frank House and zipped ahead of a huge crowd of people at the Van Gogh Museum all because Mom was smart and booked our tickets before the trip.
5. Each major city that I visited can be summed up in one word. Here goes:
Paris-Grand
Amsterdam-Eclectic
London-Regal
Luxembourg City-Cute
Brussels-Delicious
Sogndal-Relaxed
6. If you only have limited time in Europe, definitely visit Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. These cities are fairly close to each other and the combination of all three is perfect. The grandiose, impressive, and stunning architecture and sites of Paris blended with the chocolates, frites, moules, waffles, and beer of Brussels and the laid-back atmosphere of Amsterdam makes for a perfect European vacation.
7. Talk to the person sitting next to you. While traveling, you're inevitably going to be seated next to someone, be it on a plane, train, or double decker bus. Strike up a conversation. Learn something new. Make a friend.
8. Traveling solo is not as glamourous as I thought it would be. I definitely envisioned myself finding a cozy spot next to my gate in the Oslo airport and waking up before the crowds to get coffee and greet the day as a well-rested and well-seasoned traveller. This was not the case. Airports are noisy at all hours of the night and if you ever meet someone who is well-rested after spending the night in an airport, introduce me to them. When traveling solo, there's no one to watch your belongings. There's no one to reassure you that there really is light at the end of the tunnel. Or in my case, morning after a night sleeping upright.
9. Pictures and journals are the best souvenirs. Europe is expensive so it's not always possible to buy every single awesome dress, box of chocolates, and set of Luxembourg Royal Family figurines. Take lots of pictures and videos and keep a journal. Keep tickets and brochures, collect flower petals and random things found on the ground (a Heineken bottle cap from outside the brewery in Amsterdam and a pick from the guitarist in Vik). I realize that the dress I bought in Paris probably won't fit years from now and the red pumps I got in Norway will lose their shine, but I will always have the pictures I took and the stories I wrote to remind me of one of the best times in my life.
Paris-Grand
Amsterdam-Eclectic
London-Regal
Luxembourg City-Cute
Brussels-Delicious
Sogndal-Relaxed
6. If you only have limited time in Europe, definitely visit Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. These cities are fairly close to each other and the combination of all three is perfect. The grandiose, impressive, and stunning architecture and sites of Paris blended with the chocolates, frites, moules, waffles, and beer of Brussels and the laid-back atmosphere of Amsterdam makes for a perfect European vacation.
7. Talk to the person sitting next to you. While traveling, you're inevitably going to be seated next to someone, be it on a plane, train, or double decker bus. Strike up a conversation. Learn something new. Make a friend.
8. Traveling solo is not as glamourous as I thought it would be. I definitely envisioned myself finding a cozy spot next to my gate in the Oslo airport and waking up before the crowds to get coffee and greet the day as a well-rested and well-seasoned traveller. This was not the case. Airports are noisy at all hours of the night and if you ever meet someone who is well-rested after spending the night in an airport, introduce me to them. When traveling solo, there's no one to watch your belongings. There's no one to reassure you that there really is light at the end of the tunnel. Or in my case, morning after a night sleeping upright.
9. Pictures and journals are the best souvenirs. Europe is expensive so it's not always possible to buy every single awesome dress, box of chocolates, and set of Luxembourg Royal Family figurines. Take lots of pictures and videos and keep a journal. Keep tickets and brochures, collect flower petals and random things found on the ground (a Heineken bottle cap from outside the brewery in Amsterdam and a pick from the guitarist in Vik). I realize that the dress I bought in Paris probably won't fit years from now and the red pumps I got in Norway will lose their shine, but I will always have the pictures I took and the stories I wrote to remind me of one of the best times in my life.
10. Do one thing every day that scares you. Eleanor Roosevelt was a wise lady...she was right. I can't say that I exactly "scare" myself every day, but I attempt to challenge and test my personal limits. I was nervous as I approached Owen Wilson in Shakespeare and Company and I was apprehensive about making six flights all alone. Riding draft horses along a curvy mountain road with tractors and trucks so close they nearly grazed my leg was scary and exploring an old insane asylum was even more so. Watching my father illegally enter a cemetery in Luxembourg was nerve-wracking. Oh, and keeping up with a bunch of tipsy teenagers was certainly a task. But the truth is, all of these experiences, the good, the bad, and the awkward, have made me a better person and I am thankful. I am immensely thankful. Home at last
Home at last! I'm back in North Carolina where it's about fifty degrees warmer and darker four hours earlier.
I am so glad to be home!
My trip back home was tiring. Between the four flights, spending the night hiding in the restaurant, multiple customs and immigration checks, and the mother who yelled at her children the whole way to Philadelphia, I could not wait to get home.
In Philadelphia, I sat next to an older woman while waiting for the flight. We started talking and I knew immediately that she was from the South. She talked to me like she'd known me for years, sharing her life story and everything else I never knew I needed to know. I love Southerners.
I couldn't wait to off of the plane in Greensboro, knowing that I'd see one of my favorite people and be back at home so soon. Little did I know, John wasn't the only one waiting at the airport. I got a great surprise as we descended the escalators. My parents and grandparents were waiting in baggage claim! I'm a lucky girl.
At home, I gave out gifts and souvenirs. I really hope Will doesn't hurt himself with the knife I got him in Flam. And I hope Dad decides to share the raspberry juice I brought him from Sogndal.
I am so grateful to be home. It's somewhat unbelievable how life can change in a month but it is remarkably comforting to know that some things stay the same. The weather is warmer, the garden is denser, and my inbox is full with unread messages of summer commitments and plans that lie ahead. Daniel is still questioning and philosophizing, Will's hair is still growing into an afro, my horses still race to me from across the pond, and my parents are just as endearing as ever.
It is so good to be back home. I am loving the warm weather and the fact that I went out to the garden to get my breakfast, lunch, and supper. I love home, but I miss the times I had on the Europe trip. I miss exploring cities and countrysides with my parents, spending time with Jennifer and Nick and doing crafts at 7am with my sweet little cousin, laughing and celebrating with Anne and her friends, and knowing each morning that every day would be an adventure. The trip was more than I could have ever imagined.
If I had to pick one lesson to take away from the experience, it is that time goes by very quickly, therefore, it's important to make each day last. Life is about living with a purpose and making every moment matter. Because of this trip, I am challenging myself to wake up in the morning with a purpose, a goal, and a vision. I may not be traveling the globe all of the time, but I have the capability to create adventures wherever I find myself. Everyone has this choice and this capability.
Thank you for reading and thank you for humoring my late night ramblings, random thoughts, and long-winded narratives.
I appreciate it and I appreciate you!
I am so glad to be home!
My trip back home was tiring. Between the four flights, spending the night hiding in the restaurant, multiple customs and immigration checks, and the mother who yelled at her children the whole way to Philadelphia, I could not wait to get home.
In Philadelphia, I sat next to an older woman while waiting for the flight. We started talking and I knew immediately that she was from the South. She talked to me like she'd known me for years, sharing her life story and everything else I never knew I needed to know. I love Southerners.
I couldn't wait to off of the plane in Greensboro, knowing that I'd see one of my favorite people and be back at home so soon. Little did I know, John wasn't the only one waiting at the airport. I got a great surprise as we descended the escalators. My parents and grandparents were waiting in baggage claim! I'm a lucky girl.
At home, I gave out gifts and souvenirs. I really hope Will doesn't hurt himself with the knife I got him in Flam. And I hope Dad decides to share the raspberry juice I brought him from Sogndal.
I am so grateful to be home. It's somewhat unbelievable how life can change in a month but it is remarkably comforting to know that some things stay the same. The weather is warmer, the garden is denser, and my inbox is full with unread messages of summer commitments and plans that lie ahead. Daniel is still questioning and philosophizing, Will's hair is still growing into an afro, my horses still race to me from across the pond, and my parents are just as endearing as ever.
It is so good to be back home. I am loving the warm weather and the fact that I went out to the garden to get my breakfast, lunch, and supper. I love home, but I miss the times I had on the Europe trip. I miss exploring cities and countrysides with my parents, spending time with Jennifer and Nick and doing crafts at 7am with my sweet little cousin, laughing and celebrating with Anne and her friends, and knowing each morning that every day would be an adventure. The trip was more than I could have ever imagined.
If I had to pick one lesson to take away from the experience, it is that time goes by very quickly, therefore, it's important to make each day last. Life is about living with a purpose and making every moment matter. Because of this trip, I am challenging myself to wake up in the morning with a purpose, a goal, and a vision. I may not be traveling the globe all of the time, but I have the capability to create adventures wherever I find myself. Everyone has this choice and this capability.
Thank you for reading and thank you for humoring my late night ramblings, random thoughts, and long-winded narratives.
I appreciate it and I appreciate you!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Last night...
I hope I never have to spend the night in an airport again but I've decided that I might as well get used to it... it's just a part of the traveling experience.
Last night was the most uncomfortable sleep I've ever had in my life. And I've slept in some pretty uncomfortable places.
When the restaurant cleared out around 12am, I found a big chair and tried sleeping upright with my legs over my suitcase.
Around 2am, I woke up surrounded by people who were crashed in the other chairs. When I woke up again at 4am, the other people had already left and I was just about fed up with tossing and re-positioning myself every five minutes. I got up, grabbed two chairs and pulled them towards each other (making a ridiculously loud scraping sound) and climbed in the middle.
I slept decently that way until 5am when it was time to get up and get the day started!
Besides spending my first night in an airport, another first happened today! I got my first random check in security. Lovely. It was awkward and weird. I'm so glad that's over with.
I'm now sitting waiting for my flight to Munich. I realize this is just about the most mundane blog post you will ever read and I'm sorry. I'm bored. And broke. Sadly I can't go shopping like all of the Norwegians here. Most everyone is going crazy over the "cheap" prices at the duty free shop.
Thanks for reading, everyone. I heard from my sources (i.e., my parents) that people are actually reading the blog! That makes my day. Tusen takk! A thousand thanks!
Last night was the most uncomfortable sleep I've ever had in my life. And I've slept in some pretty uncomfortable places.
When the restaurant cleared out around 12am, I found a big chair and tried sleeping upright with my legs over my suitcase.
Around 2am, I woke up surrounded by people who were crashed in the other chairs. When I woke up again at 4am, the other people had already left and I was just about fed up with tossing and re-positioning myself every five minutes. I got up, grabbed two chairs and pulled them towards each other (making a ridiculously loud scraping sound) and climbed in the middle.
I slept decently that way until 5am when it was time to get up and get the day started!
Besides spending my first night in an airport, another first happened today! I got my first random check in security. Lovely. It was awkward and weird. I'm so glad that's over with.
I'm now sitting waiting for my flight to Munich. I realize this is just about the most mundane blog post you will ever read and I'm sorry. I'm bored. And broke. Sadly I can't go shopping like all of the Norwegians here. Most everyone is going crazy over the "cheap" prices at the duty free shop.
Thanks for reading, everyone. I heard from my sources (i.e., my parents) that people are actually reading the blog! That makes my day. Tusen takk! A thousand thanks!
Saying goodbye
I left Sogndal today after a fun day at school with Andrea, last minute shopping with Anne (I found some great vintage finds at a second hand shop!) and sweet rice porridge for supper.
Anne, Andrea, and Anne's mom Randi all came to the airport to see me on my way. Anne and Andrea surprised me with a gift-a Norwegian troll figurine. It's going to look so great on my nightstand at Peace... :-) Tusen takk, AK and Andrea!
Anne Kjersti, even though your second name is hard to pronounce and you drop things a lot, I love you so much and I am so glad we are friends. It's crazy to think that just two years ago, I didn't even know who you were! I can't wait for you and your mom to come to North Carolina. It's going to be fantastic!
Even though I nearly froze to death at times, Norway is a lovely place to visit. Everyone is so kind and helpful and if you like bread and cheese, you will love the cuisine. I'm sure that spring is the most beautiful time to visit, but I'm hoping I'll get to go back in the summer. I have this vision that someday I'll swim in a fjord.
Saying goodbye to Sogndal was sad. I have a friend who has lived her whole life in the mountains and now she goes to college in Raleigh. She misses the mountains because they're a part of who she is. For the first time, I feel like I can understand where she's coming from. I'll always love the mountains of Sogndal. Even though they gave me bruises on my legs, a tear in my jacket, and mud on my shoes, I'll still love the Sogndal and her mountains.
I'm currently sitting where I'll probably be sitting for the next ten hours. I snuck into a restaurant, snagged a couch in the back corner, and planted all of my belongings around me. After lots of confusion and a mini panic attack, I have been informed that I can't check in until 6am tomorrow morning. I was also informed that the free WiFi only lasts an hour, so don't be expecting anything else from me for a while.
My home for the night:
I've got a long night and an even longer trip ahead of me but the thought of warm, pond-swimming, horseback riding weather, my mom's cooking, surprising my brothers with their epic souvenirs, and a certain person waiting for me in Greensboro are thoughts that keeping me moving forwards.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Fjærland and Jostedalsbreen
Fjaerland is a town of about three hundred people and thousands and thousands of books. Yes, it's really cool.
We drove to Fjaerland today and had a nice visit with Anne's great aunt and uncle. After driving to see where Anne's grandmother grew up and went to school, Anne and I explored the many book stores of Fjaerland.
The bookstores have tons of second hand books and most of them operate on an honesty basis... customers just leave the money in a box or are instructed to go to the ferry dock to pay.
We didn't see many people in Fjaerland, just a tremendous amount of books. All kinds of books in many languages. Barns and houses have been converted into the shops. The buildings are drafty and cold and have that infectious old book smell. Scouring the shelves and piles of novels, encyclopedias and journals was kind of like exploring an old attic. The booktown was a neat part of Norway to experience and I highly suggest seeking out booktowns when you travel.
After the booktown, we went to the Bre Museum.
Okay, so there's a little story that goes along with this...
When Anne first told me about her plans for my trip, she said we'd be going to a "Bree Museum." I assumed she meant "Brie Museum" and I got really excited because I love cheese and I thought we'd be tasting all kind of delicious samples. Turns out, "Bre" means "glacier" in Norwegian. Oh well.
But the Bre Museum was interesting! The largest glacier in continental Europe is partially in Fjaerland. Jostefalsbreen has a fresh water equivalent of three hundred thousand millions bathtubs of water. Crazy, right?
The museum also taught us about "The Iceman" who was found in 1991 and how he was preserved by glaciers, wooly mammoths and other prehistoric animals, and the human effect on glaciers. There was a whole exhibit on climate change and energy use. It was clear on all of the charts, plaques, and brochures that the United States is the leader in energy consumption. Regardless of how you feel about global warming, the fact that the United States only makes up 5% of the world's population but consumes 20% of the energy is staggering (Population Reference Bureau; 2007 World Population Data Sheet.)
Anne's uncle drove us out to the see part of the actual glacier. It's huge! As we approached it, the air got colder and colder.
On the way home, we had salted chocolate popsicles (surprisingly delicious!)
We got back home, had supper, then Andrea and Kaia came over to hang out one last time before I leave. Anne made smoothies (she needs to be a chef!) and Norwegian style waffles with raspberry jam and brown cheese. I'm going to miss my new friends and having brown cheese at every meal!
I'm almost finished packing. I'm trying to psyche myself up for extremely long trip back home, but I can't seem to make spending thirteen hours in the Oslo airport sound fun at all. At least there's free WiFi!
We drove to Fjaerland today and had a nice visit with Anne's great aunt and uncle. After driving to see where Anne's grandmother grew up and went to school, Anne and I explored the many book stores of Fjaerland.
The bookstores have tons of second hand books and most of them operate on an honesty basis... customers just leave the money in a box or are instructed to go to the ferry dock to pay.
We didn't see many people in Fjaerland, just a tremendous amount of books. All kinds of books in many languages. Barns and houses have been converted into the shops. The buildings are drafty and cold and have that infectious old book smell. Scouring the shelves and piles of novels, encyclopedias and journals was kind of like exploring an old attic. The booktown was a neat part of Norway to experience and I highly suggest seeking out booktowns when you travel.
After the booktown, we went to the Bre Museum.
Okay, so there's a little story that goes along with this...
When Anne first told me about her plans for my trip, she said we'd be going to a "Bree Museum." I assumed she meant "Brie Museum" and I got really excited because I love cheese and I thought we'd be tasting all kind of delicious samples. Turns out, "Bre" means "glacier" in Norwegian. Oh well.
But the Bre Museum was interesting! The largest glacier in continental Europe is partially in Fjaerland. Jostefalsbreen has a fresh water equivalent of three hundred thousand millions bathtubs of water. Crazy, right?
The museum also taught us about "The Iceman" who was found in 1991 and how he was preserved by glaciers, wooly mammoths and other prehistoric animals, and the human effect on glaciers. There was a whole exhibit on climate change and energy use. It was clear on all of the charts, plaques, and brochures that the United States is the leader in energy consumption. Regardless of how you feel about global warming, the fact that the United States only makes up 5% of the world's population but consumes 20% of the energy is staggering (Population Reference Bureau; 2007 World Population Data Sheet.)
Anne's uncle drove us out to the see part of the actual glacier. It's huge! As we approached it, the air got colder and colder.
On the way home, we had salted chocolate popsicles (surprisingly delicious!)
We got back home, had supper, then Andrea and Kaia came over to hang out one last time before I leave. Anne made smoothies (she needs to be a chef!) and Norwegian style waffles with raspberry jam and brown cheese. I'm going to miss my new friends and having brown cheese at every meal!
I'm almost finished packing. I'm trying to psyche myself up for extremely long trip back home, but I can't seem to make spending thirteen hours in the Oslo airport sound fun at all. At least there's free WiFi!
Flåm
Yesterday, we went on a boat ride through Aurlandsfjord to Flåm.
Anne's aunt and uncle have a very nice boat and we all enjoyed the two hour ride.
On the way, we played games with Anne's cousins, Hanna and Kaia. They're so cute!
Anne's uncle pointed out houses in the mountains where people actually live. It seems crazy to me that someone would live that far away from civilization. The only way you can get to these places is by boat. In addition to the houses, we also mountain goats standing on cliffs. eating moss and grass. It was like something off of the discovery channel!
Once we made it to Flåm, we met up with Torgier, a friend of Anne's from school. He works at "FjordSafari"...apparently you can ride on a little boat through the Fjord and get an up close view of the wildlife and the waterfalls.
We had lunch in Flam and enjoyed walking around (even though it was freezing cold!), visiting the shops, and looking at the cruise ships.
Anne's mom and grandmother picked us up and we rode home through the mountains with them. On the way back to Sogndal, we went through the world's longest road tunnel-Laerdal Tunnel . It's 24.5 km long and it took us about twenty minutes to get through the whole thing! There are stops with big blue lights along the way so drivers will "wake up," according to Anne's mom.
Anne and I ended the day curled up on the couch with a good movie and good Norwegian chocolate.
We have another neat adventure today...can't wait to experience it then write about it for you!
Anne's aunt and uncle have a very nice boat and we all enjoyed the two hour ride.
On the way, we played games with Anne's cousins, Hanna and Kaia. They're so cute!
Anne's uncle pointed out houses in the mountains where people actually live. It seems crazy to me that someone would live that far away from civilization. The only way you can get to these places is by boat. In addition to the houses, we also mountain goats standing on cliffs. eating moss and grass. It was like something off of the discovery channel!
Once we made it to Flåm, we met up with Torgier, a friend of Anne's from school. He works at "FjordSafari"...apparently you can ride on a little boat through the Fjord and get an up close view of the wildlife and the waterfalls.
We had lunch in Flam and enjoyed walking around (even though it was freezing cold!), visiting the shops, and looking at the cruise ships.
Anne's mom and grandmother picked us up and we rode home through the mountains with them. On the way back to Sogndal, we went through the world's longest road tunnel-Laerdal Tunnel . It's 24.5 km long and it took us about twenty minutes to get through the whole thing! There are stops with big blue lights along the way so drivers will "wake up," according to Anne's mom.
Anne and I ended the day curled up on the couch with a good movie and good Norwegian chocolate.
We have another neat adventure today...can't wait to experience it then write about it for you!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Hiking mountains and playing in snow
There's nothing like hiking through snow when it's nearly June.
Yesterday, Anne and I made the trek up to the family cabin which is a tremendously steep hike up the mountain above Anne's house. We took Mary and Kira with us.
Anne drove us to our drop-off point and did a really great job! I'm proud of you, AK!
The view from our drop-off point:
The hike was steep and we covered all sorts of terrain. We crossed areas of rocky paths, mossy trails, thick groves of evergreens, and snow that was at least a foot deep!
About halfway up, there was snow all around but I had already
taken off both of my jackets. This entire trip I've been freezing and I should have been yesterday, too! I'm thankful for the great exercise because it allowed me to enjoy a warn Norway!
Halfway point:
Yesterday, Anne and I made the trek up to the family cabin which is a tremendously steep hike up the mountain above Anne's house. We took Mary and Kira with us.
Anne drove us to our drop-off point and did a really great job! I'm proud of you, AK!
The view from our drop-off point:
The hike was steep and we covered all sorts of terrain. We crossed areas of rocky paths, mossy trails, thick groves of evergreens, and snow that was at least a foot deep!
About halfway up, there was snow all around but I had already
taken off both of my jackets. This entire trip I've been freezing and I should have been yesterday, too! I'm thankful for the great exercise because it allowed me to enjoy a warn Norway!
Halfway point:
We made it to the cabin!
It was so peaceful when we reached the zenith. We couldn't hear a sound except for the quiet trickle of melting snow, few birds twittering in the greenery, and wind. The silence was even more breathtaking than the view.
Time for a rest and a snack:
At Anne's house, there are pictures on the wall of her and her two brothers sitting on this rock as babies. I decided I had to get a picture too...even if I'm eighteen.
On the hike back down, we saw a pool of water created by the melting snow. It was filled with frog eggs!
As we got closer to civilization, we had to put the dogs on a leash. Mary and Kira would rather pay attention to the sheep than listen to us. We walked through sheep pastures and trudged in a zig-zagging pattern all of the way back to the house.
Climbing the mountain was an accomplishment. I was tired and sweaty and little bit sunburned, but it was worth it. Nothing else parallels the feeling of your lungs filling with cold mountain air and your legs bringing you closer and closer to the finish line on top of a snow covered mountain. It was inspiring and tremendously empowering.
BFF!
It was so peaceful when we reached the zenith. We couldn't hear a sound except for the quiet trickle of melting snow, few birds twittering in the greenery, and wind. The silence was even more breathtaking than the view.
Time for a rest and a snack:
At Anne's house, there are pictures on the wall of her and her two brothers sitting on this rock as babies. I decided I had to get a picture too...even if I'm eighteen.
On the hike back down, we saw a pool of water created by the melting snow. It was filled with frog eggs!
As we got closer to civilization, we had to put the dogs on a leash. Mary and Kira would rather pay attention to the sheep than listen to us. We walked through sheep pastures and trudged in a zig-zagging pattern all of the way back to the house.
Climbing the mountain was an accomplishment. I was tired and sweaty and little bit sunburned, but it was worth it. Nothing else parallels the feeling of your lungs filling with cold mountain air and your legs bringing you closer and closer to the finish line on top of a snow covered mountain. It was inspiring and tremendously empowering.
BFF!
In my element
Yesterday was my kind of day. It was an ice cream day, a school day, a shopping day, a hazelnut latte day, a laughing day, a scooter day, a lambing day, and most notably, a horseback riding day.
Anne and I woke up early, got ready for school, and met the bus at the road. Because of exams, we were moved to a different classroom that also functions as a VIP box during football matches. In English class we discussed the power of advertising and how English is essential for someone who hopes to be successful in the global economy. The time I've spent in Norway has given me a complete understanding of the importance of being fluent in a second language (or third or fourth!) It is possible to learn another language. You must be diligent and passionate. I'm not saying this with experience, but with observation. I have decided to become more diligent in learning Japanese and hopefully, with time, I will be able to carry on complete conversations!
Anyway, school was great and while Anne was preparing for her written exam (it's on Monday and I would say to wish her luck but I know Anne won't need any) Kaia, Andrea and I had some ice cream. And we brought some back for Anne of course!
Like I said in a previous post, the eating schedule in Norway is fairly different from that of America.
Here's how it normally works...for me anyways:
Breakfast at 7am- Two slices of homemade bread with honey and brown cheese
Lunch at 11:30am-Two slices of bread or crackers with...honey and brown cheese
Supper at 3:30pm-Fish, potatoes, bread
The Unofficial Meal @ whenever we get hungry - bread with honey and brown cheese
I'm sure you noticed a trend here! I do adore honey and brown cheese and in Norway, the locals adore routine. We have a fairly set schedule but we seem to eat all of the time here. I'm not complaining! Sure I'll have waffles with jam and sour cream. Of course I'll have focaccia and cauliflower soup just because I feel like it. Norway is so amazing.
Not to bore you with my ramblings on Norwegian food and habit, but I've made one other interesting observation...
Pretty much all of the food I've tasted in Norway has been...bland. I really hesitate to use that word because to me, bland is a connotation for dull. But that's certainly not true of Norwegian cuisine! The food is fantastic even though there's not a lot of range in the flavor. Nothing too sweet, nothing too salty, and definitely not anything too spicy.
Ok, moving on...
Anne, Andrea and I had a little after school treat at the cafe. I got to sample a few of the cafe's most popular desserts-the apple cake, walnut brownie, and raspberry cheesecake. Mmmm.
While waiting for the bus, Anne's dad and younger drove by so we were able to hitch a ride with them (and the two Border Collies) back home. Randi, Anne's mom, made a "fish gratin," whole boiled potatoes, and carrots for supper. I watched everyone else as they prepared their meal and I followed suit. We mashed our potatoes and gratin together and poured melted butter on top. Julia Child would've been proud.
After we finished the delicious meal, Anne and I left the house for another adventure... one that I've had on my bucket list for a while. Kristin needed to move her horses to another pasture so Anne and I got to ride them up the mountain! My horse, Blesa (it means "blaze" in Norwegian), was so well behaved! We passed cars, tractors, sheep, and cows and she barely flinched. She let me trot a little as well. After riding her, I think I'll have to own a Døle horse someday, just like Blesa.
We helped Krisitin get her horses situated then we went back to Anne's to bundle up for the second adventure of the day. We rode on Anne’s scooter and that was fun. ..especially when we had to lean forwards to make it up the hills!
Anne's dad arranged a visit for us at their neighbor's farm where they train Icelandic horses. I was introduced to Guro and her mom Hilde and then we got to fetch our ponies to ride! Guro let me ride her "competition horse" Glaður. Glaður means glad in Icelandic. Guro, who is only sixteen and one of the best riders I’ve ever met, has ridden Glaður in several international competitions.
Technically speaking, Icelandic horses are really ponies. They are small but they are strong and known for their sure-footedness. The Icelandic horse can perform five gaits (the Icelandic Horse registry recognizes the canter and gallop as one gait) including a fast, four-beat, lateral gait called the tölt.
We brushed, saddled, and got to know our horses. I learned about a traditional Icelandic bridle and a special saddle pad that’s made of gel so it won’t slip while riding across the steep terrain of Norway.
After walking our horses down the road a little ways, we mounted and started our ride. Guro asked me if I wanted to try to try the tölt. Of course I did! Hilde went down the road a little ways so she could stop us if the horses got a little carried away. It took a little practice for us to learn the cues for asking our horses to tölt but when when Anne and I got it, it was so much fun! It was faster than trotting and so much smoother.
We got to tölt and I even got to canter. So much fun!
On the ride back up the mountain, Guro instructed us that the horses are barn sour and they love to run back to the barn. If we wanted, we could let them run and just hold on. Anne and I agreed we would do that.
Hilde stopped to talk to a neighbor. Anne and I were just sitting comfortably on our horses. I heard Hilde say something in Norwegian and before I knew it, the horses took off up the mountain. Glaður was galloping...something I hadn’t expected at all. At first I was scared to death but then I got into it, leaned forward and just went with it.
When Anne and our horses were next to each other, we were both laughing so hard we could barely breathe.
One second we’re standing and chatting and the next we’re galloping. I had no idea that was going to happen but I loved it. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. I was in my element!
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Back at the barn, I caught my breath and started untacking Glaður. It was such a fantastic ride and Glaður is one of the most well-trained horses I’ve ridden. She turned and stopped at the slightest shift in weight and to ask her to move forward, I just pointed by hands forwards the tiniest bit. Amazing.
As we were untacking our horses, Guro got our attention. A sheep was giving birth! Gura and Hilde’s family owns over one hundred sheep and this ewe was one of the last two to give birth this season.
Hilde examined the sheep and found out that one of the lamb’s legs was pointed in the wrong direction. She had to reach in and fix it.
Anne, Gura, and I watched intently. After Hilde’s help, the sheep didn’t have much trouble. An hour or so later, an adorable lamb was resting in the pen with its mother. We were so lucky that we came on the right night to see the lamb being born! Absolutely incredible.
Anne and I had a spectacular day. It was jam-packed with fun times and memorable experiences. I loved it. I was in my element.
Anne and I woke up early, got ready for school, and met the bus at the road. Because of exams, we were moved to a different classroom that also functions as a VIP box during football matches. In English class we discussed the power of advertising and how English is essential for someone who hopes to be successful in the global economy. The time I've spent in Norway has given me a complete understanding of the importance of being fluent in a second language (or third or fourth!) It is possible to learn another language. You must be diligent and passionate. I'm not saying this with experience, but with observation. I have decided to become more diligent in learning Japanese and hopefully, with time, I will be able to carry on complete conversations!
Anyway, school was great and while Anne was preparing for her written exam (it's on Monday and I would say to wish her luck but I know Anne won't need any) Kaia, Andrea and I had some ice cream. And we brought some back for Anne of course!
Like I said in a previous post, the eating schedule in Norway is fairly different from that of America.
Here's how it normally works...for me anyways:
Breakfast at 7am- Two slices of homemade bread with honey and brown cheese
Lunch at 11:30am-Two slices of bread or crackers with...honey and brown cheese
Supper at 3:30pm-Fish, potatoes, bread
The Unofficial Meal @ whenever we get hungry - bread with honey and brown cheese
I'm sure you noticed a trend here! I do adore honey and brown cheese and in Norway, the locals adore routine. We have a fairly set schedule but we seem to eat all of the time here. I'm not complaining! Sure I'll have waffles with jam and sour cream. Of course I'll have focaccia and cauliflower soup just because I feel like it. Norway is so amazing.
Not to bore you with my ramblings on Norwegian food and habit, but I've made one other interesting observation...
Pretty much all of the food I've tasted in Norway has been...bland. I really hesitate to use that word because to me, bland is a connotation for dull. But that's certainly not true of Norwegian cuisine! The food is fantastic even though there's not a lot of range in the flavor. Nothing too sweet, nothing too salty, and definitely not anything too spicy.
Ok, moving on...
Anne, Andrea and I had a little after school treat at the cafe. I got to sample a few of the cafe's most popular desserts-the apple cake, walnut brownie, and raspberry cheesecake. Mmmm.
While waiting for the bus, Anne's dad and younger drove by so we were able to hitch a ride with them (and the two Border Collies) back home. Randi, Anne's mom, made a "fish gratin," whole boiled potatoes, and carrots for supper. I watched everyone else as they prepared their meal and I followed suit. We mashed our potatoes and gratin together and poured melted butter on top. Julia Child would've been proud.
After we finished the delicious meal, Anne and I left the house for another adventure... one that I've had on my bucket list for a while. Kristin needed to move her horses to another pasture so Anne and I got to ride them up the mountain! My horse, Blesa (it means "blaze" in Norwegian), was so well behaved! We passed cars, tractors, sheep, and cows and she barely flinched. She let me trot a little as well. After riding her, I think I'll have to own a Døle horse someday, just like Blesa.
We helped Krisitin get her horses situated then we went back to Anne's to bundle up for the second adventure of the day. We rode on Anne’s scooter and that was fun. ..especially when we had to lean forwards to make it up the hills!
Anne's dad arranged a visit for us at their neighbor's farm where they train Icelandic horses. I was introduced to Guro and her mom Hilde and then we got to fetch our ponies to ride! Guro let me ride her "competition horse" Glaður. Glaður means glad in Icelandic. Guro, who is only sixteen and one of the best riders I’ve ever met, has ridden Glaður in several international competitions.
Technically speaking, Icelandic horses are really ponies. They are small but they are strong and known for their sure-footedness. The Icelandic horse can perform five gaits (the Icelandic Horse registry recognizes the canter and gallop as one gait) including a fast, four-beat, lateral gait called the tölt.
We brushed, saddled, and got to know our horses. I learned about a traditional Icelandic bridle and a special saddle pad that’s made of gel so it won’t slip while riding across the steep terrain of Norway.
After walking our horses down the road a little ways, we mounted and started our ride. Guro asked me if I wanted to try to try the tölt. Of course I did! Hilde went down the road a little ways so she could stop us if the horses got a little carried away. It took a little practice for us to learn the cues for asking our horses to tölt but when when Anne and I got it, it was so much fun! It was faster than trotting and so much smoother.
We got to tölt and I even got to canter. So much fun!
On the ride back up the mountain, Guro instructed us that the horses are barn sour and they love to run back to the barn. If we wanted, we could let them run and just hold on. Anne and I agreed we would do that.
Hilde stopped to talk to a neighbor. Anne and I were just sitting comfortably on our horses. I heard Hilde say something in Norwegian and before I knew it, the horses took off up the mountain. Glaður was galloping...something I hadn’t expected at all. At first I was scared to death but then I got into it, leaned forward and just went with it.
When Anne and our horses were next to each other, we were both laughing so hard we could barely breathe.
One second we’re standing and chatting and the next we’re galloping. I had no idea that was going to happen but I loved it. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. I was in my element!
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611389066509703826" />
Back at the barn, I caught my breath and started untacking Glaður. It was such a fantastic ride and Glaður is one of the most well-trained horses I’ve ridden. She turned and stopped at the slightest shift in weight and to ask her to move forward, I just pointed by hands forwards the tiniest bit. Amazing.
As we were untacking our horses, Guro got our attention. A sheep was giving birth! Gura and Hilde’s family owns over one hundred sheep and this ewe was one of the last two to give birth this season.
Hilde examined the sheep and found out that one of the lamb’s legs was pointed in the wrong direction. She had to reach in and fix it.
Anne, Gura, and I watched intently. After Hilde’s help, the sheep didn’t have much trouble. An hour or so later, an adorable lamb was resting in the pen with its mother. We were so lucky that we came on the right night to see the lamb being born! Absolutely incredible.
Anne and I had a spectacular day. It was jam-packed with fun times and memorable experiences. I loved it. I was in my element.
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