August 16, 2008
Today was a relaxing day (for me) in Trysil. After I finally was up and had breakfast, we didn't have to watch the Olympics for long before Liv Marit began cooking lapper (thick pancakes, like American ones). We ate them with combinations fresh strawberry jam, brown cheese, sour cream, and butter.
Then, Else and I took the row boat out on the river. After watching the Norwegian rower, Olaf Tufte, get the gold medal in men's single sculls we were inspired. We are not, however, Olympic rowers, so we just paddled around in the calm bay where the boat was kept. We took pictures, enjoyed the weather, and did some boat tricks.
After dinner out at the local Chinese restaurant, we found ourselves at the closing concert of the Trysilutvandererstemne (Trysil Emigrant Gathering). It wasn't really surprising that we were there, Else, Peder, Inga, and Martin (her brother, sister, and uncle) were part of the program. Else played for dancing. Inga and Martin (yes, that Martin Myhr) danced. Peder got the high honor of dressing as the bear that got chased, shot, and then danced around; he was excellent. Martin also recited two poems that were really quite moving. There were also performances from the men's choir, the children at the music school, and other musicians. It was a great show.
In addition to the great show, there were speeches by the mayor and the head of the visiting American delegation. The mayor spoke in English and Norwegian, with some interesting omissions or additions depending on how you look at it. Then it was the American's turn. He had several gifts and kept turning away from the microphone to present them to the Norwegian members of the committee. This prompted calls from the audience. I'm not sure how many times we heard "MICROPHONE!" from the audience in a nice clear Minnesota accent. I do know that if I'd heard it one more time, I would have started laughing out loud and that can be difficult to stop.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Trysil II
August 15, 2008
When I arrived in Trysil Else's mother (Liv Marit) was waiting for me. Back at the house, Else asked if I wanted to come with her to Anne's house to watch a movie. Sure, why not? Off we went! We had a regular old girls' night. We watched Jane Austen's Emma, ate apple cake, and talked about boys and parents.
When we headed to Anne's house we walked up a steep path called kjærlighetsvei. At that time it was still light out. On the way back we used Else's muscle memory and my white shoes to guide us through the woods. Sadly, we didn't meet anyone going up or down the path.
When we got home we, and everyone else, were hungry. Else's brothers had prepared some bread and cheese that just needed to go in the oven; think crostini with a Norwegian twist. Everyone sat down at the kitchen table (seven of us total) and as soon as the cookie sheets were within reach, they were overcome by hungry hands. I had been warned to take what I wanted and eat if I was hungry. Any one who has eaten with a large family is familiar with the eat or go hungry atmosphere that can surround a table. I think everyone wound up with the same amount of food, but all I can say for sure is that I got enough to eat!
When I arrived in Trysil Else's mother (Liv Marit) was waiting for me. Back at the house, Else asked if I wanted to come with her to Anne's house to watch a movie. Sure, why not? Off we went! We had a regular old girls' night. We watched Jane Austen's Emma, ate apple cake, and talked about boys and parents.
When we headed to Anne's house we walked up a steep path called kjærlighetsvei. At that time it was still light out. On the way back we used Else's muscle memory and my white shoes to guide us through the woods. Sadly, we didn't meet anyone going up or down the path.
When we got home we, and everyone else, were hungry. Else's brothers had prepared some bread and cheese that just needed to go in the oven; think crostini with a Norwegian twist. Everyone sat down at the kitchen table (seven of us total) and as soon as the cookie sheets were within reach, they were overcome by hungry hands. I had been warned to take what I wanted and eat if I was hungry. Any one who has eaten with a large family is familiar with the eat or go hungry atmosphere that can surround a table. I think everyone wound up with the same amount of food, but all I can say for sure is that I got enough to eat!
Hamar III
August 15, 2008
Before returning the the Hedmark Museum, I stopped at an electronics store (El-kjøp) to check out cell phones. I'm still not quite ready to make the leap and purchase a phone, but it gave me the opportunity to read about the various plans. I now have a better idea of what it is I want, I think. It seems like I talk on the phone more than I send text messages, and that I talk on the phone a lot. So, it makes the most sense to me to get a slightly more expensive monthly plan with a less expensive rate by the minute. I'd welcome feedback on this topic.
I continued on my way to the Hedmark Museum and arrived just as Bjørn Sverre was pulling into the parking lot. We had lunch in his house, which is on the museum grounds, with another friend of his who was visiting from Oslo. She was also a fiddler and a dancer. She was also a jeweler and super sweet.
After lunch, Bjørn Sverre gave us a tour of the museum. The museum includes buildings from all periods of Hedmarks history from the ruins of the medieval church (ca. 1250) to early twentieth century buildings that aren't quite open yet. Bjørn Sverre had to go in and water the plants, so we got to see the house in the process of being staged.
Then he showed us the highlights from the 17th century exhibit, including a whiskey still, a mechanical thresher, and ornate sleighs. Before potatoes came to the area, many of the smaller households were dependant on the income the women of the families made working with the linen and wool textile industry. After the advent of potatoes, the fields that had been used for linen were used to grow potatoes and many families lost up to 46% procent of their textile based income. At least, that's what I think Bjørn Sverre was telling us.
In the end, he arranged a ride for me back into town. I'd done a lot of walking and was a little worried about coming back to Trysil. I got a ride with a lovely woman who dropped me off at the train station just in time to catch the train to Elverum. Of course, there were a couple guys getting on the train who had at least eight suitcases between them, so we were a little late leaving the station.
I should have had twenty minutes to walk to the bus station in Elverum, instead I had eleven. I hurried and arrived at the bus station at exactly 4:50 when the bus should have been leaving. But it was no where to be found. I went inside and it didn't appear to have arrived. I figured that I had time to risk heading to the pay phone to call Else and let her know I was coming. A half hour later, the bus showed up. Again, student price! I was on my way back to Trysil.
Before returning the the Hedmark Museum, I stopped at an electronics store (El-kjøp) to check out cell phones. I'm still not quite ready to make the leap and purchase a phone, but it gave me the opportunity to read about the various plans. I now have a better idea of what it is I want, I think. It seems like I talk on the phone more than I send text messages, and that I talk on the phone a lot. So, it makes the most sense to me to get a slightly more expensive monthly plan with a less expensive rate by the minute. I'd welcome feedback on this topic.
I continued on my way to the Hedmark Museum and arrived just as Bjørn Sverre was pulling into the parking lot. We had lunch in his house, which is on the museum grounds, with another friend of his who was visiting from Oslo. She was also a fiddler and a dancer. She was also a jeweler and super sweet.
After lunch, Bjørn Sverre gave us a tour of the museum. The museum includes buildings from all periods of Hedmarks history from the ruins of the medieval church (ca. 1250) to early twentieth century buildings that aren't quite open yet. Bjørn Sverre had to go in and water the plants, so we got to see the house in the process of being staged.
Then he showed us the highlights from the 17th century exhibit, including a whiskey still, a mechanical thresher, and ornate sleighs. Before potatoes came to the area, many of the smaller households were dependant on the income the women of the families made working with the linen and wool textile industry. After the advent of potatoes, the fields that had been used for linen were used to grow potatoes and many families lost up to 46% procent of their textile based income. At least, that's what I think Bjørn Sverre was telling us.
In the end, he arranged a ride for me back into town. I'd done a lot of walking and was a little worried about coming back to Trysil. I got a ride with a lovely woman who dropped me off at the train station just in time to catch the train to Elverum. Of course, there were a couple guys getting on the train who had at least eight suitcases between them, so we were a little late leaving the station.
I should have had twenty minutes to walk to the bus station in Elverum, instead I had eleven. I hurried and arrived at the bus station at exactly 4:50 when the bus should have been leaving. But it was no where to be found. I went inside and it didn't appear to have arrived. I figured that I had time to risk heading to the pay phone to call Else and let her know I was coming. A half hour later, the bus showed up. Again, student price! I was on my way back to Trysil.
Hamar II
August 14, 2008
We caught up while we waited for dinner to come out of the oven. Jan, is the current world champion in fly swatting, a sport we think should be in the Olympic Games in four years.
The last time I saw Jan and Alvhild, I was a vegetarian. Not knowing that I had gone back to my omnivorous habits, Alvhild had prepared a completely delicious Macaroni dish with vegetables, garlic, mushrooms, and, of course, cheese. We had home made black current juice to drink. Erling came home with exciting calculations of how many cans of beer he'd lifted today; his summer job has been loading bottled beverages at the local brewery, which is home to Norway's most popular beer, Ringnes.
We decided over dinner that next time I come to Norway, I need to have a helicopter and a helicopter pilot. This would solve so many problems. It would take less time to get where I needed to go. I wouldn't need to buy the tickets, and therefore wouldn't forget the dates I was arriving places. I could also go back and forth between areas of Norway much more easily. Perhaps I'll win the lottery, although I suppose it's difficult to win if you don't buy tickets!
We looked at photos. Photos from this trip, photos from the last time they were in Seattle, and a few videos they'd taken at the 2006 Stemne. There were lots of videos of the Ballard Locks' fish ladder. Finally we all gave in and went to sleep. I'll have to visit Hamar again, since they were all gone to work in the morning when I got up. Perhaps during the winter break I'll find time to return.
We caught up while we waited for dinner to come out of the oven. Jan, is the current world champion in fly swatting, a sport we think should be in the Olympic Games in four years.
The last time I saw Jan and Alvhild, I was a vegetarian. Not knowing that I had gone back to my omnivorous habits, Alvhild had prepared a completely delicious Macaroni dish with vegetables, garlic, mushrooms, and, of course, cheese. We had home made black current juice to drink. Erling came home with exciting calculations of how many cans of beer he'd lifted today; his summer job has been loading bottled beverages at the local brewery, which is home to Norway's most popular beer, Ringnes.
We decided over dinner that next time I come to Norway, I need to have a helicopter and a helicopter pilot. This would solve so many problems. It would take less time to get where I needed to go. I wouldn't need to buy the tickets, and therefore wouldn't forget the dates I was arriving places. I could also go back and forth between areas of Norway much more easily. Perhaps I'll win the lottery, although I suppose it's difficult to win if you don't buy tickets!
We looked at photos. Photos from this trip, photos from the last time they were in Seattle, and a few videos they'd taken at the 2006 Stemne. There were lots of videos of the Ballard Locks' fish ladder. Finally we all gave in and went to sleep. I'll have to visit Hamar again, since they were all gone to work in the morning when I got up. Perhaps during the winter break I'll find time to return.
Hamar I
August 14, 2008
I got up early and was delivered back to the bus station. The plan was take the bus (really two buses) to Hamar, visit the Hedmark Museum and Bjørn Sverre, spend the night with Jan and Alvhild and return to Trysil on Friday. Things went really well for the first stage of the plan. Once I got off the bus in Hamar, however, I had to start thinking on my feet.
First, I realized that I didn't really know where it was that I was going. Travel tip: The Hedmark Museum is a fabulous open air museum, but if you want to get there, look for Domkirkeodden on the map. I wound up going to Husfliden and asking them how to get there. They gave me excellent directions and said it would take 15-20 minutes to walk. Since it was drizzling and I didn't feel like pushing it, I took closer to 25 minutes. The rain stopped just as I arrived at the museum.
When I arrived at the museum, I asked at the gift shop if they could call Bjørn Sverre for me. I said I wasn't sure if he was expecting me, but that I thought he knew I was coming. They said he'd had a couple of other guests arrive shortly before and was I with them? No, but I was fairly certain that it was Alix and Roo, and I wouldn't mind joining them. So the girl at the desk tried his office and his cell phone. No answer. I wandered around the museum for a half an hour and we tried calling again with the same result.
I left my bag at the gift shop and took a detailed tour of the grounds. We tried calling again, but still no answer. So, I had an ice cream and a bottle of water, wrote a letter, and enjoyed the sunshine. As I was getting up, just before 3:00, I saw Bjørn Sverre, Alix, and Roo coming down the path from the restaurant! Naturally, they had been there for an hour and a half and I hadn't gone back in to check after my first short tour. Bjørn Sverre was encouraging us to attend the miniconcert in the cathedral ruins (covered by an acoustically resonant glass protective structure), but he had to hurry to make it to his mother's birthday party. We agreed that I would return tomorrow for lunch.
The concert was splendid and brief. Roo, Alix, and I took a short tour to the outdoor, permanent wooden dance stage. We looked at the older farm buildings that were the earliest part of the museum. Then, they needed to look at the gift shop and I needed to get back to the entrance. I was scheduled to meet Jan and Alvhild at 4:00.
I got up early and was delivered back to the bus station. The plan was take the bus (really two buses) to Hamar, visit the Hedmark Museum and Bjørn Sverre, spend the night with Jan and Alvhild and return to Trysil on Friday. Things went really well for the first stage of the plan. Once I got off the bus in Hamar, however, I had to start thinking on my feet.
First, I realized that I didn't really know where it was that I was going. Travel tip: The Hedmark Museum is a fabulous open air museum, but if you want to get there, look for Domkirkeodden on the map. I wound up going to Husfliden and asking them how to get there. They gave me excellent directions and said it would take 15-20 minutes to walk. Since it was drizzling and I didn't feel like pushing it, I took closer to 25 minutes. The rain stopped just as I arrived at the museum.
When I arrived at the museum, I asked at the gift shop if they could call Bjørn Sverre for me. I said I wasn't sure if he was expecting me, but that I thought he knew I was coming. They said he'd had a couple of other guests arrive shortly before and was I with them? No, but I was fairly certain that it was Alix and Roo, and I wouldn't mind joining them. So the girl at the desk tried his office and his cell phone. No answer. I wandered around the museum for a half an hour and we tried calling again with the same result.
I left my bag at the gift shop and took a detailed tour of the grounds. We tried calling again, but still no answer. So, I had an ice cream and a bottle of water, wrote a letter, and enjoyed the sunshine. As I was getting up, just before 3:00, I saw Bjørn Sverre, Alix, and Roo coming down the path from the restaurant! Naturally, they had been there for an hour and a half and I hadn't gone back in to check after my first short tour. Bjørn Sverre was encouraging us to attend the miniconcert in the cathedral ruins (covered by an acoustically resonant glass protective structure), but he had to hurry to make it to his mother's birthday party. We agreed that I would return tomorrow for lunch.
The concert was splendid and brief. Roo, Alix, and I took a short tour to the outdoor, permanent wooden dance stage. We looked at the older farm buildings that were the earliest part of the museum. Then, they needed to look at the gift shop and I needed to get back to the entrance. I was scheduled to meet Jan and Alvhild at 4:00.
Trysil I
August 13, 2008
The train from Trondheim was relatively uneventful. It arrived late in Elverum after traveling at about 45km/hr for roughly an hour due to signal problems. When I got off the train, I still had to get to my friend's house in Trysil and I had no clue how to do that. So I called her.
When Else didn't answer her phone, I called her parents. When they didn't answer, I called Tom not stopping to think that it was 7:30 in the morning and there was no way he'd be awake. Then I called my sister and Anna. They didn't answer either, so I called Else again. This time, she answered right away, and gave me directions to the bus station.
The bus station was a reasonable walk from the train station (not my design, but better than Seattle), but I had a half an hour so I wasn't in a hurry. When the bus arrived, the driver very kindly gave me the student discount, even though I don't have a student ID yet. It's a 50% discount in a country where everything is expensive, so I was very appreciative.
After an hour and twenty minutes' ride, Else's mother met me at the bus station in Trysil. She took me to their house, helped me get my laundry in the wash, and instructed me to wear one of Else's rain jackets. She also helped me realize what day it was. I had managed to lose a day in my travelling and ticket purchasing. I figured things would all work out, since I didn't have any hard and fast plans.
Before long we were back in the car to pick up Else from work. From the hospital, where both of Else's parents are nurses and Else works in the kitchen when she is on holiday, Else and I headed to one of the local restaurants. We met a couple of her childhood friends (Anne and Kari) who were also back in town for their summer holiday and enjoyed a pizza and a beverage.
Back at Else's house, I met her aunt and uncle and their son who will be moving into the apartment downstairs while he goes to school next year. Of Else's three siblings, two of the other's were home and the oldest was expected to arrive any time. Inga, the younger sister, was giving up her bed for me, and I gratefully passed out.
The train from Trondheim was relatively uneventful. It arrived late in Elverum after traveling at about 45km/hr for roughly an hour due to signal problems. When I got off the train, I still had to get to my friend's house in Trysil and I had no clue how to do that. So I called her.
When Else didn't answer her phone, I called her parents. When they didn't answer, I called Tom not stopping to think that it was 7:30 in the morning and there was no way he'd be awake. Then I called my sister and Anna. They didn't answer either, so I called Else again. This time, she answered right away, and gave me directions to the bus station.
The bus station was a reasonable walk from the train station (not my design, but better than Seattle), but I had a half an hour so I wasn't in a hurry. When the bus arrived, the driver very kindly gave me the student discount, even though I don't have a student ID yet. It's a 50% discount in a country where everything is expensive, so I was very appreciative.
After an hour and twenty minutes' ride, Else's mother met me at the bus station in Trysil. She took me to their house, helped me get my laundry in the wash, and instructed me to wear one of Else's rain jackets. She also helped me realize what day it was. I had managed to lose a day in my travelling and ticket purchasing. I figured things would all work out, since I didn't have any hard and fast plans.
Before long we were back in the car to pick up Else from work. From the hospital, where both of Else's parents are nurses and Else works in the kitchen when she is on holiday, Else and I headed to one of the local restaurants. We met a couple of her childhood friends (Anne and Kari) who were also back in town for their summer holiday and enjoyed a pizza and a beverage.
Back at Else's house, I met her aunt and uncle and their son who will be moving into the apartment downstairs while he goes to school next year. Of Else's three siblings, two of the other's were home and the oldest was expected to arrive any time. Inga, the younger sister, was giving up her bed for me, and I gratefully passed out.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Farvel til Nord-Norge
August 12, 2008
After breakfast, I packed my bags again, so they would be ready in the afternoon. Before the day was over we had accomplished more than just a large pile of freshly split logs and packed suitcases, however. Anne made skoleboller to go with coffee while splitting logs. I was completely impressed. I played some more fiddle music in the beautiful afternoon weather. After coffee, Johan started pulling off one of the walls of the stabbur - it's next on the repair list.
Since the bus into town left the bus stop a half hour drive away at 6:30, we had to get started on dinner pretty much immediately after afternoon coffee. We headed to the store and bought some additional kjøttkaker, as well as tomatost! Dinner was kjøttkaker with brown sauce, ertestuing, carrots and new potatoes - typical Norwegian food. While Anne made dinner, I made sandwiches to take on my journey. We listened to the Jonssonslinje CD I gave them; It made me think of home.
It was hard to leave Steinviknesset, but I made it in the car. Anne is a fabulous conversationalist and she managed to keep my mind on all of the exciting things that are coming in my future and didn't let me dwell on how much I would miss her and Johan and how much I already miss all of you in Seattle. At least Sonya's coming soon!
The bus ride took almost no time. There was a little excitement when the bus driver started to drive off before I had gotten my suitcase out of the bus, but he only got a few meters. At the Bodø train station I talked to my dad and Tom on the payphone, before I made my way out of the smelly waiting area and onto the uncomfortable train. I did manage to sleep, but I'm sure glad I'm not taking any exams today. I woke up outside of Trondheim, uncertain if I was more excited to get off the train or onto the internet.
After breakfast, I packed my bags again, so they would be ready in the afternoon. Before the day was over we had accomplished more than just a large pile of freshly split logs and packed suitcases, however. Anne made skoleboller to go with coffee while splitting logs. I was completely impressed. I played some more fiddle music in the beautiful afternoon weather. After coffee, Johan started pulling off one of the walls of the stabbur - it's next on the repair list.
Since the bus into town left the bus stop a half hour drive away at 6:30, we had to get started on dinner pretty much immediately after afternoon coffee. We headed to the store and bought some additional kjøttkaker, as well as tomatost! Dinner was kjøttkaker with brown sauce, ertestuing, carrots and new potatoes - typical Norwegian food. While Anne made dinner, I made sandwiches to take on my journey. We listened to the Jonssonslinje CD I gave them; It made me think of home.
It was hard to leave Steinviknesset, but I made it in the car. Anne is a fabulous conversationalist and she managed to keep my mind on all of the exciting things that are coming in my future and didn't let me dwell on how much I would miss her and Johan and how much I already miss all of you in Seattle. At least Sonya's coming soon!
The bus ride took almost no time. There was a little excitement when the bus driver started to drive off before I had gotten my suitcase out of the bus, but he only got a few meters. At the Bodø train station I talked to my dad and Tom on the payphone, before I made my way out of the smelly waiting area and onto the uncomfortable train. I did manage to sleep, but I'm sure glad I'm not taking any exams today. I woke up outside of Trondheim, uncertain if I was more excited to get off the train or onto the internet.
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