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Published: July 11th 2007
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The most common phrase that I do say while I'm here is in the title. Translated it means, "I am from Canada. Do you speak English?" The Canada thing is important b/c americans are a little iffy up here as well. (are there any places in the world for an American to travel anymore!?!?!) Anyway, like I said before, they all generally speak english so that usually works. Last night I thought I would take in a movie at the local Kristiansand cinema. I decided on 'Transformers', which I wanted to see anyway...(Geek I know, but it was quite good!!!) The movie is presented in English with Norwegian subtitles on the bottom. The great thing about this movie theatre, however, is that you get to pick you seats...much like during concerts or sporting events. There is NO concern of saving seats...the BAIN of my existance when going to the movies. I picked my seat...sat down in a digital theatre (don't even have those in Canada yet that I've seen) The theatre held roughly 60 people...and the movie was presented in High Definition with unreal sound. Again, I'm quite spoiled for any other type of movie theatre now.
This
morning I took a little bus ride to the Vest Augder Museum, which has relocated a number of farm yards from their original spots just north of the city and paid homage to Southern Norways farming past. This is right up my alley, since this is the type of farm that my ancestors had and which still stands along the Byglandsfjord in the area of Araksbø. My tour guide was a woman who dressed in authentic clothing, spoke great english and toured me in and out of the houses, even sang me a traditional lullaby inside the living quarters of a 17th century farm. She did tell me about how woman would often DIE to have thick calves. SO much so that they had 'padded' socks in which they could 'stuff' their calves. In other parts of the country, a womans typical dress went down to her ankle, but in Satesdahl the womans skirts went to the knees in order to show off their calves! Remember, I said CALVES not CANKLES...those are always unfashionable! She also spoke of typical life in which the local boys would often play hijinks on the girls their own age who slept with the other
children in the loft of the barn. She said it in such an odd way...that I finally had to ask her if she was aluding to something else...and she begrudingly talked about the prevalance of pre-marital 'relations' that went on across the farm yard away from their parents prying eyes. She cracked me up quite a bit throughout the whole tour actually. However, it was the Irons that gave the most interesting story.
You see, wood work was always treasured by Norwegians. A man was known for how well he could create things. If a boy fancied a girl, he would begin by making her an iron. This served the purpose since woman were in charge of the house and all domestic work. The iron would often be quite ornate, depending on the abilities of the man. The woman ironed sheets by leaving the sheets damp and running the long wooden iron over the sheets to flatten them, so it was a VERY important tool, hence why it was considered a engagement gift. If the girl did not particularly like the boy, she would hand him the iron back. (talk about rejection!) She showed me two types of
irons, one which was quite big and ornate, while the other was quite plain and worn. She made some crack about how the bigger iron must have been compensating for something he lacked. Even in Norway a womans forked tongue can emit a 'penis' joke of good quality. She was very funny and even made a comment about how the 'bachelors' utensil was quite worn down and used. She stated, "It seems the married mans 'tool' is barely worn out, but the single man's 'tool' is almost completely worn down". I laughed and said, "I have a brother who would completely agree with you!" Sorry Dean, but just cause i'm in Norway doesn't mean I won't make fun of you to complete strangers. There were other stories and anecdotes that she told, too many to add. The highlight was her lullaby in the 17th century living quarters. I recorded it on tape and sadly have NO idea how to put it on here. With that we moved to the farm yard.
Before the christian missionaries came to Norway, the norwegians took daily trips to their own saunas to bath, sweat it out and relax. However, thanks to Christian
priests who came, they were made to now BATH which happened a few times a month. (hmm, which was a cleaner alternative!?) Near the end of the Satesdal farm exhibit was a sauna, which was roughly about 200 years old and from the Araksbø area. Could it be from the Segberg farm or a neighboring area...who knows but was definately interesting to see 17th to 19th century farm life being recreated. One more added bonus, got to see a 200 year old Lefse griddle and 100 year old lefse stick.
Speaking of lefse, they sell it in the local gas stations as a treat. Not quite as good as the homemade stuff, however, was still a treat nonetheless. Now, as I get ready to leave the internet house, I have to remember to return. The lady who owns and runs it has sorta welcomed me with open arms and offered to bring me a plethora of local treats if I come back at 5pm local time. Brown cheese, Komper (Kom-bas to us) and possibly some Lefse...nothing like hacking a little free food when you can get the chance. By the way, 4 channels usually is quite good at
night when I'm back in my room.
As for tomorrow, I will be renting a vehicle and driving up the Byglandsfjord towards Satesdahlen and the Segberg farm.
From here I will bid you all a happy......... 'Ha det!'
Don
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Mom (Johanna)
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Melting in Canada!
You should be glad you are over in Norway. Right now it's 34*C and it doesn't cool down much at night. Kels and the girls are sitting at 1-1 they have two games on Saturday and it's going to be that hot and more. Have fun and say hi to our Norwegian friends. Love from Canada; mom, dad, Jacob.