The landscape is spectacular, the food is delicious, and Anne, her family, and her friends are the sweetest.
We had breakfast as a family yesterday morning before we drove to downtown Sogndal for the festivities. I got to try brunost, Norwegian brown cheese. It has this fantastic sweet, caramel taste. It's my favorite Norwegian food so far.
For the national holiday, Norwegians dress in a bunad (see photos below.) The Norwegian flag is flown and waved everywhere.
Anne and I watched the parade with her friend Andrea. Each grade from the Sogndal school marched with their class. Anne pointed out her cousins and neighbors that were in the parade so it was neat to make that connection.
It's freezing cold in Norway...the high yesterday was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It's so crazy that just a week or so ago, I was wearing shorts in France and now I'm having to borrow coats and layers from Anne and her cousins!
Anyway, Anne, Andrea and I got cappuccinos in a cafe and then went to hang out near the elementary school with some other friends.
We had lunch at Anne's grandmother's house. I got to meet lots of cousins and aunts and uncles. It reminded me of being with my family on a holiday. I feel so welcome in Norway.
Anne's grandmother had catered meal so I got to try lots of traditional Norwegian foods.
Anne and I took her two little cousins, Hanna (6) and Kaia (3) to another parade downtown. Hanna and Kaia are so adorable...they remind me of Elaine and Charchar!
In this parade, the newly graduated high school students came behind the different sports clubs of the Sogndal schools. We joined the parade and marched to the football stadium to watch the main show. Andrea was the MC and several of Anne's friends performed solos.
We finished out the day back at Anne's house. Anne has her own apartment in the upstairs of their mountain home so we watched TLC and Desperate Housewives after our busy day.
It was still completely bright outside when we went to bed which was weird, but I was so exhausted that it didn't even matter.
I'm just relaxing at home today while Anne's at school but then tonight, we're getting together with her friends to go see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie! Even little tiny Sogndal has a 3D movie theater.
I know how to post a comment (!) and I want to know if that beautiful picture of blue sky was taken at NIGHT?
ReplyDeleteAnne (and her family) is so adorable! I love their beautiful traditional dresses!
ReplyDeleteHey Kara! The picture of the sky was taken very late in the afternoon...maybe 6pm. When it's 2am here, it looks like it's 9pm back home. It's so bizarre!
ReplyDeleteJennie- I know! They are so cute!
Hey, Sarah, It's me Rebekah Anne. I miss you with all my heart and tonight we're going to go to bed and tomorrow we're going to wake up and go camping. I miss you and I am so glad you are having a good time with Anne. I love you, Rebekah Anne.
ReplyDeleteHey, Rebekah Anne, it's me Sarah. I miss you too! With all of my heart! I hope you have fun camping...that sounds like it will be great! I know it is much warmer at home than in Norway. I will tell Anne that you said hey and when I get back, we're going to hang out! I promise.
ReplyDeleteI love you too! Love, Sarah O.