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!
Monday, May 30, 2011
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!
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.
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.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Harastølen
I have officially been a part of two trespassing endeavors in Europe. I can go ahead and check that off my bucket list.
Yesterday, Anne, Kristin, Kaia, and I took a road trip to Harastølen, a town on Sognefjord. We drove for an hour or so on the curvy roads and in the long tunnels through the mountains. We made several stops along the way...some for a photo op, some for the view, some for the food...and sometimes the stop was all three.
The reason we travelled to Harastølen was more out of curiosity than anything else. And to say that we "went there." You see, from the late 1800s to the 1980s, Harastølen was home to hundreds of tuberculosis victims, mentally ill patients, and quarantined immigrants. It was a place for people who were deemed harmful to the rest of the society. Anne and her friends have heard stories and rumors about this town. Before we went, they told me it's like a ghost town. Everything is still intact; all of the furniture, the clothes, even the medical files are still there.
I'm not one to be scared of ghosts or to be creeped out by old buildings, but everyone was making this place sound freaky. Really freaky.
When we made the turn to Harastolen, we started to make the steep climb to the top of the mountain. The zig-zagging road was enough to make anyone carsick...especially me. Just as we were all starting to get apprehensive, the car stopped. Just stopped. On the side of the mountain. Luckily all it needed was more oil but as Kristin was getting the VW ready to drive again, a big dog just appeared out of no where. Kaia screamed, then Kristin screamed, which made Anne screamed and so I screamed too...because everyone else was screaming. It was just like a scene out of a badly made horror film geared for preteens.
We all laughed it off then started driving again. The road was bumpy and there were hardly signs of civilization. I will never say I live in the middle of nowehere ever again, because after living in Norway for two weeks, I know what "the middle of no where" is like.
At the top of the mountain, we made the final turn and this huge white structure filled the entire spectrum of our view. The building, the insane asylum and tuberculosis sanitarium, is certainly one of the eeriest buildings I've ever seen. And definitely the eeriest one I've ever been inside.
We parked the car and quietly walked around the building, peering into windows and sneaking across the grass and shards of glass. In the first room, I saw wooden weaving looms and bolts of dusty fabric. The next room must have been the boiler room or something...it was full of pipes, wires, dials, and a big metal tank. The third room was the spookiest. It was lined with tile from the floor to the ceiling and facing the window was a metal chair. I think it must have been a dentist chair but it was so morbid looking that it could've passed for a torture device. So creepy.
Our group of four kept exploring. The outside of the old building appeared to be the scene of a few teenage parties, lot of truth or dare games and several trash can fires. There was evidence all around.
As we circled the building, I saw a door. I didn't think it would open but of course, with my luck, it did and then it was pretty much a given that I had to go inside. The others weren't as eager. Kaia told us how there's a groundskeeper who roams around, kicking trespassers like me off of the property. I walked in anyway and Kristin followed. Kaia and Anne watched the door so they could warn us if the groundskeeper (who looks like Filch in my mind) appeared. So nerve-racking.
Kristin and I walked up the spiral staircase to the second level. This particular corridor was fairly undisturbed. Chairs lined the walls...it seemed like it might have been a waiting area. I was too busy taking pictures to notice the smaller details, but Krisitn got my attention and we both looked to the floor. In the corner there was a pair of tiny baby slipper. So eerie.
On the third floor, we saw pretty much the same thing. Old books, some clothes, and old furniture strewn about across the hallway. So bizarre.
While walking back down the staircase, I stepped on a piece of plastic, sliding and making a terrible scratching sound. It's really ridiculous how something so silly can make four perfectly intelligent females scream bloody murder.
Kristin and I switched places with Anne and Kaia and kept watch so they could venture up the sinister stairs.
I would've loved to stay and explore a little bit longer. As creepy and morbid as it is, the entire concept and history of the building fascinates me. But, unfortunately, we left so before we (ahem, Kaia) got too freaked out.
I won't be able to shake the creepy feeling Harastølen gave me anytime soon. When we got back to Anne's and I googled the old building and the purposes it served, there's hardly anything at all online. And that makes Harastølen that much more disturbing.
Yesterday, Anne, Kristin, Kaia, and I took a road trip to Harastølen, a town on Sognefjord. We drove for an hour or so on the curvy roads and in the long tunnels through the mountains. We made several stops along the way...some for a photo op, some for the view, some for the food...and sometimes the stop was all three.
The reason we travelled to Harastølen was more out of curiosity than anything else. And to say that we "went there." You see, from the late 1800s to the 1980s, Harastølen was home to hundreds of tuberculosis victims, mentally ill patients, and quarantined immigrants. It was a place for people who were deemed harmful to the rest of the society. Anne and her friends have heard stories and rumors about this town. Before we went, they told me it's like a ghost town. Everything is still intact; all of the furniture, the clothes, even the medical files are still there.
I'm not one to be scared of ghosts or to be creeped out by old buildings, but everyone was making this place sound freaky. Really freaky.
When we made the turn to Harastolen, we started to make the steep climb to the top of the mountain. The zig-zagging road was enough to make anyone carsick...especially me. Just as we were all starting to get apprehensive, the car stopped. Just stopped. On the side of the mountain. Luckily all it needed was more oil but as Kristin was getting the VW ready to drive again, a big dog just appeared out of no where. Kaia screamed, then Kristin screamed, which made Anne screamed and so I screamed too...because everyone else was screaming. It was just like a scene out of a badly made horror film geared for preteens.
We all laughed it off then started driving again. The road was bumpy and there were hardly signs of civilization. I will never say I live in the middle of nowehere ever again, because after living in Norway for two weeks, I know what "the middle of no where" is like.
At the top of the mountain, we made the final turn and this huge white structure filled the entire spectrum of our view. The building, the insane asylum and tuberculosis sanitarium, is certainly one of the eeriest buildings I've ever seen. And definitely the eeriest one I've ever been inside.
We parked the car and quietly walked around the building, peering into windows and sneaking across the grass and shards of glass. In the first room, I saw wooden weaving looms and bolts of dusty fabric. The next room must have been the boiler room or something...it was full of pipes, wires, dials, and a big metal tank. The third room was the spookiest. It was lined with tile from the floor to the ceiling and facing the window was a metal chair. I think it must have been a dentist chair but it was so morbid looking that it could've passed for a torture device. So creepy.
Our group of four kept exploring. The outside of the old building appeared to be the scene of a few teenage parties, lot of truth or dare games and several trash can fires. There was evidence all around.As we circled the building, I saw a door. I didn't think it would open but of course, with my luck, it did and then it was pretty much a given that I had to go inside. The others weren't as eager. Kaia told us how there's a groundskeeper who roams around, kicking trespassers like me off of the property. I walked in anyway and Kristin followed. Kaia and Anne watched the door so they could warn us if the groundskeeper (who looks like Filch in my mind) appeared. So nerve-racking.
Kristin and I walked up the spiral staircase to the second level. This particular corridor was fairly undisturbed. Chairs lined the walls...it seemed like it might have been a waiting area. I was too busy taking pictures to notice the smaller details, but Krisitn got my attention and we both looked to the floor. In the corner there was a pair of tiny baby slipper. So eerie.
On the third floor, we saw pretty much the same thing. Old books, some clothes, and old furniture strewn about across the hallway. So bizarre.
While walking back down the staircase, I stepped on a piece of plastic, sliding and making a terrible scratching sound. It's really ridiculous how something so silly can make four perfectly intelligent females scream bloody murder.
Kristin and I switched places with Anne and Kaia and kept watch so they could venture up the sinister stairs.
I would've loved to stay and explore a little bit longer. As creepy and morbid as it is, the entire concept and history of the building fascinates me. But, unfortunately, we left so before we (ahem, Kaia) got too freaked out.
I won't be able to shake the creepy feeling Harastølen gave me anytime soon. When we got back to Anne's and I googled the old building and the purposes it served, there's hardly anything at all online. And that makes Harastølen that much more disturbing.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Pictures, pictures, pictures
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
One Week in Norway!
When I woke up this morning, this is what I saw...
I cannot believe I've been in Norway for one whole week! This time one week ago, I was just arriving at Anne's house. It's crazy to think about everything that has happened in one week. Anne and I were listing all of the things we've done...
-Seventeenth of May parade + celebration
-Pre-seventeenth of May celebration
-Soccer Game
-China House!
-School x 3
-Gammalost Festival
-Pirates of the Caribbean premier
This list goes on and on. I'm having so much fun and I have been welcomed so warmly by Anne and her family and friends... but, I have to admit that I really miss North Carolina. I hope everyone back home is soaking up the warm weather and attending Saturdays in Saxapahaw for me!
Anyway, here's what I've been up to today.
I went to school with Anne again. It's really fun to go with her because I have gotten to know all of her friends and I'm able to hang out with them and share inside jokes. Kaia, if you read this, I just want you to know that "you're so blessed!" :-)
In English class, we discussed stereotypes and generalizations made by different cultures. It's so interesting to see what others think about America. We're not all addicted to McDonald's and La-z-boy recliners.
After school, I went home with Kaia while Anne went to work at the cafe.
The cafe where Anne works is the cutest place ever. It's right in the center of Sogndal and if you walk by it, you can typically see kids flipping and doing all kinds of tricks on the trampoline outside. Inside the cafe it's bright and cheerful. Local artists can display their work on the walls and in the windows so there's plenty to look at.
Kaia and I made some great pasta at her house and discussed all kinds of intelligent things...like the cultural differences between the U.S. and Norway.
Back at Anne's house, we went out to the dairy barn and I got to milk a cow! I even drank the milk that I milked! Anne's dad and younger brother were in the barn working and it was neat to see how a Norwegian dairy farm works. Like you already know, the Rygg family has sheep, too! The lambs are so adorable!
Anne's like brother, Ole Kristian, found a tiny kitten in the barn. It was even cuter than the calves and the lambs! I carried it around inside of my coveralls while Anne and Ole Kristian mucked out the calf stalls.
I like this picture because the lamb and I are making the same expression!
I'm still loving Norway tremendously and I'm looking forward to another week in this beautiful country with all of my beautiful new friends!
I cannot believe I've been in Norway for one whole week! This time one week ago, I was just arriving at Anne's house. It's crazy to think about everything that has happened in one week. Anne and I were listing all of the things we've done...
-Seventeenth of May parade + celebration
-Pre-seventeenth of May celebration
-Soccer Game
-China House!
-School x 3
-Gammalost Festival
-Pirates of the Caribbean premier
This list goes on and on. I'm having so much fun and I have been welcomed so warmly by Anne and her family and friends... but, I have to admit that I really miss North Carolina. I hope everyone back home is soaking up the warm weather and attending Saturdays in Saxapahaw for me!
Anyway, here's what I've been up to today.
I went to school with Anne again. It's really fun to go with her because I have gotten to know all of her friends and I'm able to hang out with them and share inside jokes. Kaia, if you read this, I just want you to know that "you're so blessed!" :-)
In English class, we discussed stereotypes and generalizations made by different cultures. It's so interesting to see what others think about America. We're not all addicted to McDonald's and La-z-boy recliners.
After school, I went home with Kaia while Anne went to work at the cafe.
The cafe where Anne works is the cutest place ever. It's right in the center of Sogndal and if you walk by it, you can typically see kids flipping and doing all kinds of tricks on the trampoline outside. Inside the cafe it's bright and cheerful. Local artists can display their work on the walls and in the windows so there's plenty to look at.
Kaia and I made some great pasta at her house and discussed all kinds of intelligent things...like the cultural differences between the U.S. and Norway.
Back at Anne's house, we went out to the dairy barn and I got to milk a cow! I even drank the milk that I milked! Anne's dad and younger brother were in the barn working and it was neat to see how a Norwegian dairy farm works. Like you already know, the Rygg family has sheep, too! The lambs are so adorable!
Anne's like brother, Ole Kristian, found a tiny kitten in the barn. It was even cuter than the calves and the lambs! I carried it around inside of my coveralls while Anne and Ole Kristian mucked out the calf stalls.
I like this picture because the lamb and I are making the same expression!
I'm still loving Norway tremendously and I'm looking forward to another week in this beautiful country with all of my beautiful new friends!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)