Blogs from Norway, Europe - page 238

THIS ENTRY IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. This weekend, Bethany and I were joined by two couples on a trip to Oslo. While I will expand on this entry over the next few days, I just wish to point out here some quick tips: 1.) Oslo is expensive! We thought that the 6 to 1 ratio of Kroner (NOK) to dollars would work in our favor, but we were wrong! I'm sure you can do Oslo on a shoestring--albeit a fat one--but our comfort level for travel cost some moolah. One way to defray the cost: 1a.) The Oslo Pass. A two day pass was 285 NOK (about $50), but it covers all public transport (between $1.50 and 3$ per trip) and most of the museums that you'd want to see. They also have a 1-day ticket, in ... read more

Before going to Oslo for Christmas, I spent a few days in Frankfurt. I met up with friends who had a long layover on their way back to America and we ate and then slept in the airport. It was interesting to wake up every three hours and watch the clock hands change positions. It was also strange to be surrounded by different people at your feet every time you wake up. The next night I stayed with a German friend who fed me soup and let me have my first real bath in three and 1/2 months. Frankfurt is very industrial and not my favorite city. The flight to Oslo was uneventful, except for the gorgeous sunset and the applause that accompanied the landing. Apparently, some Europeans like to clap at the end of a ... read more

First a farming comment...on the way to Trondheim we swaw a combine working...and we are seeing fall planting, some even germinated. Talked to a man from Sydney Australia, as we were leaving the internet cafe in the Oslo train station. It was raining so much that we didn#t go to see the village. This man had been sitting beside us and commenting that I typed much faster than he...wished he could type faster. It was the third time in 2 days that we had been at that internet (same attendant) and Georgina asked him have you ever seen grey haired ladies with back packs...no he hadn't. ... read more

Got to Trondheim about 8pm on Sat. Ingvild met us at the station...great lady. She has a very nice house with view of the ocean(fjiord) with lots of nice Ikea furniture...blue her favorite color. We had a wonderful supper with her, visited a while, phoned Gerd, and then to bed for the best sleep in a week. Up just before 730, the sppointed time, a nice breakfast and then off to Aure and the island Roto to see land of ancestors. First stop was Lutheran church service...a special one as two babies were being baptised. Many of the congregation were dressed in National costume for the occassion. Georgina got several pictures of the costumes. Outside the church we gathered as our family and took pictures. My second cousin Oddvar and his 'new' wife (about 5 years, ... read more

A few pictures from cross country skiing in Nordseter, near Lillehammer, Norway... read more