Tackling Trondheim & the GRE

It's now Monday and my Sunday went by so quick, just like my trip to Trondheim. I can't believe it's almost November! Anyways, my trip to Trondheim was absolutely amazing even if it was a little quiet as I was by myself. I was a little nervous as I was packing on Thursday night. I love traveling and don't mind going alone, but heading out at night by myself has always intimidated me a little. But after the girls walked me to the bus stop, I had a pretty good feeling of excitement and adventure as I headed off on the #13 Route to downtown. I hopped off at the bank, one of very few remaining on the bus, and walked around the backside of the Glasshuset down to the train station. It was only a short walk, but just to be safe, I pulled out my phone and made a call during the walk. The sky was absolutely gorgeous as there were no clouds and the stars shown brightly in the sky. I stood outside of the train station and continued to talk to my mother for a bit, just enjoying the fresh air and the stars.

At around 8:40pm, I got onto the train and got all settled into my seat for the overnight ride to Trondheim. A blond girl ended up asking me to switch seats with her so she could sit by her friend so I moved one back only to be placed by this weird lady that kept fidgeting and twitching. Eventually, she got up and started pacing all over the train. It was a little creepy. Our train took off around 9:10pm and luckily at the second stop, a young blond woman took the seat next to me and so I was able to sleep without thinking about the creepy lady.

I didn't sleep too well on the train, not sure why. Just kept having weird dreams and waking up in my seat. We arrived in Trondheim around 7:40am and my eyes were barely open. I ended up getting breakfast but Norwegian breakfasts usually consist of untoasted bread, slices of ham, cheese, jellies, and small waffles. I opted for the egg sandwich and a hardboiled egg, but it ended up having a soft center so I just ditched all of it and sipped my orange juice. I ended up passing out on a bench for a bit and woke up when my back was a little numb. After a nice stretch, a stop in the bathroom (which you have to pay 10kroner to get into) to brush my teeth, and grabbing a map from the info station, I headed off to explore Trondheim.

Trondheim (translated as "A good home") is a city with a very rich Viking history and has about 120,000 people. It was founded by King Olav Tryggvason in 997. It actually used to be the capital of Norway until 1217 so now all the kings receive their new ceremonial blessings there. It had a rich Catholic history until the Lutheran Protestantism took over in the 1500s. Like most cities in Norway, it was also occupied by the Nazi gestapo during World War II. My first stop was just outside the train station as I took a picture of the waterfront. My Norwegian language professor would be so proud as I read "Den Grønne Brygge" and instantly recognized the "e" you have to add to the adjective green (grønn) when using the definitive form. I know -- geek! =) But I'm learning my Norwegian vocabulary. I kept walking up the streets and just admired the beautiful buildings, the European architecture, the smell of Fall in the air, and the beautiful sunshine.

I ended up at the one thing I was hoping to see, the Nidarosdomen (Nidaros Cathedral) which is the most beautiful building I have ever seen. It was in the book that my mom got me about Norway so it was my only intended destination besides taking the GRE. And I fell completely in love with it, taking lots of pictures. It was actually started in 1070 and built over the grave of St. Olav who founded Trondheim. It wasn't finished until around 1300 and tt just amazed me how intricate and elaborate it was when it was built over 700 years ago. I saw some people hurrying inside so I went in even though I don't think I was supposed to. There was a midday service going on and the place was full of beautiful candles, hundreds of children, and some of the most beautiful stained glass windows I've ever seen. Sadly, you couldn't take pictures or video so didn't get to snap any shots. The inside was about 1000 times more stunning than the outside as there were two long corridors and one large branched off area. The ceilings on all of the sides were different. On the right was a huge organ that echoed through the chambers and above it was the most intricate stained glass arrangement I've ever seen. And on the left was a giant altar and several attributes to Jesus Christ. I stayed for an hour and listened to the service but only understood a few words here and there. But my Norwegian language professor would've been proud again as someone said "Det er fomt" and I thought of how you add the "t" to the ending when you use "det er..." because it's a neutral word expression. Haha, I know I know...the geekiness continues. My Norwegian language final is coming up in about 5 weeks so I have to get as much practice in adjectives as possible.

Anyways, the service was very nice as the children probably between 6-9 years old were all incorporated into the service. And at one point, they even started talking about our president, Barack Obama and how he is coming to Oslo in December to accept his Nobel Peace Prize. And then they sang, "You Got a Friend in Me" in Engish. It was pretty cool and brought a smile to my face. Well I stayed for the whole service and ended up walking out with all of the people after, none of them knowing that I didn't belong. I wandered over to the Archbishop's Palace and snapped some pictures. I opted out of the museum, wanting to be outside more, and walked behind it to a small park by the waterfront. The trees were just gorgeous and I snapped away, enjoying the fresh Fall air.

After a bit, I walked across the bridge and by the Studentersamfundet, the round red house that is the student center for the NTNU campus. Up the street a couple blocks was the NTNU campus, Gløshaugen, and the gray brick Administration building. A bit ago I had contacted the NTNU International student office and asked for some advice about where to go to take the GRE. They had told me to look for the giant brick castle-looking building, couldn't miss it. And they were right. It looked like a castle and just stood all on top of the hill. I went in to get an idea of where to go the next day and made a short stop in the library to check my email and pass some time. After a little bit of studying, I headed down to grab some dinner and went to check-in at St. Olav's Hotell. This hotel was definitely an old hospital they had converted. It only made sense as it was situated next to the current hospital. It had a very eerie feel to it, but it was clean, cozy, and there were emergency call buttons everywhere so very safe. I stayed in, showered, studied, watched some TV, and went to sleep early.

I didn't sleep too well again though as I was worried about oversleeping. At around 8am, I checked out and headed out into the chilly world, the sun still not up so it was very gray but not black out. I walked back by the giant oak trees where their brilliant yellow and orange colors and saw some drunk guy stumbling around in the park. I made my way back to the "castle" and followed the GRE signs to the third floor. The lecture hall was pretty big, cascading upward and there were about 20 students that took the exam with me. It went by extremely quick. I know I rocked my essays but the rest...well, who knows. It was so quick that I didn't have a chance to second guess myself or even think. I think at one point I was even holding my breath and had to remind myself to breath normally. I guess we'll know in six weeks.

After the excruciation was over, I walked out of the doors of the admin building and saw the beautiful sunshine and blue sky and felt a sort of freedom and elation. It was a new day and no more studying for that damn test. I headed off past the oak trees again and back across the bridge to my favorite spot in Trondheim, the Nidaros Cathedral. I didn't actually mean to end up there, but everything else was closing so I went there and looked at the map for anything else to go see. Almost everything was closed or closing soon as Norwegian stores and shops only stay open until about 2-3pm on Saturdays. I went and got something to eat at the Cathedral kaffé (cafe), my new favorite tea Four Red Fruits and an overpriced wrap. Then headed out and just walked around. I made some more stops at the bookstore, a tourist stand, and the library and even watched some guys playing Ricky Martin songs in the street with a drum and a guitar. But since everything was closing and it was starting to get chilly, I headed over to the train station and tried to find ways to entertain myself.

Somehow, the hours at the train station went by kind of quick which was nice. At one point, I took a step outside once it had gotten dark and just listened to the music from the bars up the street, saw the lights from the houses across the hillside, and listened as the water splashed around in the waterfront. And as the wind blew, I just thought, "Wow, I'm in Europe." Whoever would've thought that I would end up here. My life has taken me a lot of places in my short time on Earth and I've been pretty lucky. There was a feeling of hope in the air as I took a deep breath and headed back inside. And around 11:30pm, the train pulled out of the station and after getting my ticket checked by the guy on the train, I passed out in my seat and didn't wake again until 4a.m. when I noticed we were stopped. And once we pulled into Bodø, I felt kind of happy to be back but more excited to head off again, to travel some more. And I made it safely back to my flat, but instantly started thinking of my next destination...Poland. Only 7 more days.

So now with a cup of really good strawberry vanilla tea, my first solo trip behind me, and a birthday party to attend tonight, I better start off this Monday being studious. But more pictures and stories to come!! =)

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