Bittersweet

Today has been filled with mixed emotions.  Part of me is ready to pack my bags and hop on my flight back to the comforts of home - and the other part of me is aching to stay for a few more weeks [or maybe even months/years!]  This month has been filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I will never forget.  I have been so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet the most amazing people and see Norway from an insider's perspective.  I have learned so much while in Norway...and am coming home with a sea of ideas & information.

We concluded our trip today with a visit to Umoe - yet another innovative Norwegian company that is reaching out globally to expand their client base.  Our visit included a tour of one of their ships [the Skjold] and it was really interesting.  It is clear that Norway has excelled in the Maritime industry.

Our afternoon was left open to do some last minute shopping and to begin the packing process....ugh.  I am just not ready to leave!  We have a 6:35am flight in Kristiansand [which is about 45 minutes away from Mandal - which if you have done the math you realize that we will be leaving Mandal @ 3:45am!]

[Harald, me, Vibeke, & Kari]

I am so sad to say good-bye to Harald & Kari.  They have made my last week in Norway so great that it is making it all the harder to leave.  However I am confident that when I board that plane [in 6 short hours] that I will not be leaving Norway for good.  I have built so many relationships & lasting bonds with people here that I can't imagine not seeing them again.  And now I must stop with the reflection as tears are swiftly approaching.  This won't be my last post however...I intend to share from a more broad perspective what I have learned, what I will miss, and of course about the Norwegian food!  I am also looking forward to October [yep I realize this is a ways off] when the Norwegian team will be visiting our area!  Can't wait to repay the hospitality that we have received while here.

Great way to spend my birthday :)

It's been a while!

I realize that I have been a bit of a slacker in the "blog" department these past few days.  Take that NOT as a sign of a lack of stuff to update about, but rather a sign of how much fun we are having.  Our last city visit has been packed full of some really great activities.  Our families have been wonderful and I am not quite ready for my time here to be over.  This post will be brief [as I am a bit tired and need to be well rested for our last day here] but I want to share what we have been doing since arriving in Mandal.

I'm not typically a fan of the bullet points but I think I will take it this way tonight:

• Carsolina, Jennifer, & I spent Thursday in Kristiansand at BI [the business school] This is actually one of the few private institutions and is a Business School.  The son of our current host family is actually attending this school right now.  
• We also visited the southern most point of Norway - Lindesnes Lighthouse.  It was absolutely stunning.  The day was quite windy and a little rainy - which actually turns out to be the best lighthouse weather.  The crashing waves were a sight to be seen.

[Lindesnes Lighthouse keeper's house]

[Lindesnes Lighthouse]

• Friday included a visit to Sjøsanden Næringshage - a place for entrepreneurs to come and receive guidance for their business venture.  This was followed by a very interesting tour of company that makes hoses - Mandals
• We went out to celebrate my birthday on Friday [since we will be leaving SOOOOOO early on Tuesday] and had an absolute blast!  
• If I have not mentioned this before...Norwegians LOVE the outdoors.  On Saturday we went for a "stroll"in Furulunden. Now when I say stroll - I actually mean walk in the rain...by the beach...where it was windy.  While the weather wasn't ideal, I have to say that it was a really beautiful place that I hope to experience again in the future - with the sun!  Later in the evening my host parents had everyone out to their summer cabin.  I was able to meet their daughter Vibeke who is so wonderful and funny.  The Skogøy family [ie: my current host family] are full of energy and laughs.  I feel so lucky to have gotten to know them over the past few days.  A really wonderful way to end my time here.
• Which leaves me with today.  Today was incredible.  Again, we didn't let the rain deter us from our plans.  We visited WWII bunkers [legit bunkers - built into the mountains] and a fjord [for which I am going to have to get the name of.]  The WWII bunkers were surreal.  Equipped with rain boots and flashlights we dared to enter.  The German army used Norwegian & Russian laborers to build 40 buildings within the mountains in Mandal.  [pictures soon to come]
• The fjord was breathtaking.  I would say that Norway may be best known for it's fjords.  A visit to Norway would not be complete without seeing one.  We drove about 1 1/2 hours through the very tiny & windy roads to see one.  When we arrived I was in awe.  I feel it is best to let the pictures do the talking [even though they cannot do the view justice]

[Fjord]

[Beautiful Fjord]

Ok.  So I recognize this is not one of my best posts - and I hope to revisit some of the activities in more depth later on but I wanted to provide a bit of an update.  Tomorrow will be our last day here in Norway - and it also happens to be my birthday!  I can't think of a better place to celebrate :)

It's a small world after all...

Weirdest thing happened today.  In the tiny town of Mandal [our final destination] I felt as if I had stepped into the smallest world ever.  We were all invited to the home of Sissel, one of the Rotary club members [who has actually participated in a GSE trip to Alabama - but that't not the crazy part] for dinner.  Over casual conversation I posed the seemingly normal question to my soon-to-be host father "Is your club hosting a Rotary high school exchange student?"  To which he replied "No, but we did last year.  We hosted a young boy from MN."

How cool!  The natural follow-up question was "Which city is he from?"  It took him a moment to respond with "New Ulm."  NEW ULM?!  I must have heard him incorrectly.  My New Ulm?  Population 13,000 New Ulm?  It couldn't be.  Oh but yes it was true!  A young man [Henry] studied in Mandal last year.  He is actually my brother's age - and in fact they played soccer together when they were younger!  [I just got off the phone with him and they may even be playing soccer together tonight]

I am still stunned that I travel across the world and find this connection.  From little New Ulm to little Mandal I was shown that the world can be one degree of separation away.  I never would have thought waking up this morning, that I would be staying in the same room that a fellow New Ulmer stayed in one short year ago.

This entire month I have been finding ways to connect with people here [it helps that I am originally from MN which is like "Little Norway" in the US.]  It is comforting to know that the relationships that I am building now will last.  This trip has shown me just how important relationships are.  I have learned that we all don't have to be so disconnected.  We can all work together to make this a better place - the world is not so big.  As I fall asleep tonight, all I can think is "Isn't life funny?"

Leaving Larvik

Today was our last day in lovely Larvik, Norway.  Although the weather has been a bit cold, windy, and rainy - we have not been deterred from enjoying our stay here!  In fact, I have rather enjoyed seeing Norway through a "misty" lens.  It provides an alternate perspective that is actually quite neat [I am afraid however, that I may be the only one who has these thoughts.]

Each week we have been scheduled a half-day to ourselves...this was our Sunday morning.  A late start was welcomed by all [including my host family!]  Early afternoon, we headed down the road to Stavern.  This little city is home to a series of art galleries that see over 200,000 visitors during the summer months!  It is quite the happening place June-August.

 [Stavern]

 [Stavern]

The rain rolled in and we dashed to the cars.  Luckily Mother Nature took a break from the downpour as we arrived at Mølen.  An absolutely spectacular experience.  The whipping wind mixed the light mist was strangely peaceful.  Here on this rocky beach, I was stricken with the sad realization that my time in Norway is nearing it's end.  I guess the weather was a fine match for my mood.  

[Mølen]

 [Mølen]

Monday - we visited the Arts & Culture school as well as the Farris Hotel & Spa & today the Sjøparken [Sea Park] development. This small city is working hard to redefine who it is. Changing from and old industrial town - to a young, vibrant, business-oriented city. Larvik has much to offer - and it is inspiring to see an entire city full of vision and pride in what they can offer. I have no doubt that when [not if!] I come back to visit, this place will be transformed.

On a personal note - it has been a REALLY great week!  I have been staying with a wonderful couple [Ståle & Elin] who have been so gracious and made me feel so comfortable & at home.  Elin even took the time to teach me how to make my favorite treat [knekkebrød...more on that in a later post!] All of our host families have taken turns hosting the whole group for dinner on different evenings - allowing us the opportunity to relax, laugh, and just enjoy each other.  

Natural Beauty

Every day I am stricken by the beauty of my surroundings here in Norway.  It seems that at any moment you feel you are in the most beautiful spot in the world - and then you walk around the corner and somehow it gets better!

On Friday, we were able to see one of the ways that a business is taking advantage of the natural beauty within the region.  Our visit to Lundhs  included a presentation as well as visit to one of their quarries.  It was fascinating to see the process they use to remove the stone.  Lundhs is a global company just as many other companies in Norway are.  Their finished product can be seen in projects around the globe.

[hauling stone at Lundhs Quarry]

[Lundhs quarry]

We continued with the trend of seeing Norway's natural beauty yesterday with a trip up to the mountains.  Although the drive was a little lengthy and the roads winding [those who know me are aware of my motion sickness and how that combination isn't pleasant :)] the view was worth it!

 

Our mountain excursion included a stop in the small town of Rjukan.  Nestled deep in the valley [so deep that for a few months during the winter the residents do not see sunlight] this city sets the scene for the 1943 sabotage efforts to prevent Germany from making an atomic bomb.  In order to get to the museum/hydro plant, we had to hike up the steep mountainside only to find, upon reaching the top, that the museum had just closed!  However we were not to be discouraged.  Jennifer approached the nice young staff working the front door and asked them to let us have a quick look around...and they did.  It was a fascinating museum that I will have to visit again on my next trip to Norway.

[Vemork hydroelectric power plant]

[mountainside in Rjukan]

As if the day were not good enough, I almost forgot to mention one of the best parts of the day!  On the drive up to the mountains we passed one of Norway's infamous Stave churches.  It was absolutely beautiful and amazing to see something that old preserved so well.  I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to see one [and actually the one we saw is the largest one in the country.]

[Heddal Stave Church]

Rain, rain go away...if you don't, we'll have fun anyway!

Our last day with the Faerder Rotary Club included separate vocation visits for each of us.  I returned to Vestfold University College - while the other ladies visited a private hospital, an audit firm, and a public relations firm.  I cannot speak on behalf of the others [as I was not with them] but I had a wonderful day!  I will spare you the nitty gritty details that only my colleagues back home will enjoy - but my day included conversations with the employees within  SiV, the student parliament, and the international student office.  I have come away from the day with some great information for my friends back home!

The Faerder Club planned a sailing trip on the historical Berentine ship...mother nature had different plans for us.  Unfortunately, the rain was quite intense so we were unable to sail.  We did however have a great time below deck!  There were about 40 of us onboard and it was a great way to end our time in Tonsberg. I don't have any photos but I know quite a few were taken so I will post them at a later time!

Venja had hot chocolate waiting for us when we got back.  I must admit, I shed several tears as we were wrapping up the night.  I have to say that I did not come to Norway expecting to make such powerful connections with people in such a short amount of time.

[Harald, myself, & Venja]

We said our farewells this morning and then drove to meet members of the Larvik Rotary Club.  Our first stop was the Thor Heyerdahl school.  All of us were so impressed with the facilities.  I mentioned in a previous post but I will take a moment to mention it again.  The Norwegian school system is a bit different than the US.  Students are able to choose whether they want to pursue traditional education or vocational studies.  As we toured the school today, I was met by students engaged in their studies and an environment that encourages creativity. 

[Thor Heyerdahl School]

The rest of the day included lunch and walking tour of Larvik which ended with us meeting our new host families!  Larvik is yet another BEAUTIFUL Norwegian town that I look forward to learning more about.

[The home of Colin Archer]

[Larvik]

[Larvik]

Syttende Mai

Oh what a day!  We have all been anticipating the 17th of May since before our departure and yesterday,  it was finally here!!  Syttende Mai is a day that is near and dear to my heart...a quick side-story before I continue on with accounts of the day.  Minnesota [my home state] had many Scandinavians settle throughout the area [I am sure it had something to do with them being the only ones who could tough out the COLD :)] Thus, with all of the settlers, the Scandinavian heritage was preserved - including Syttende Mai. When I was younger, I remember going to Hanska, MN to celebrate Syttende Mai - but not knowing really what I was celebrating.  I am happy to say though, that I now know!

Syttende Mai is a day filled with patriotism, family traditions, culture, and ice cream!  The day most closely resembles the 4th of July in the USA however there are MANY notable differences.  Throughout the day you will see a wide variety of national costumes - all from different parts of Norway.  Children are a main focus of the day, as opposed to the military [although there are some memorial remembrances throughout the day.]  The children from all of the area schools gather to march in the "Children's parade" where they wave flags, sing songs, and shout chants - each led by their school's "corp" playing traditional Norwegian songs.

[Tonsberg Children's Parade]

We began our day at the home of Harald & Venja's daughter.  Carsolina and I had the chance to meet their grandchildren and see them preparing for the day.  It was so special!  Afterwards, we went to the Tonsberg Children's Parade to watch their other grandchildren walk!  Followed by church and a WWII memorial at which Harald's brother-in-law Olav sang in the men's choir.  Olav has actually studied in Hibbing, MN of all places [my grandparents used to live there; it's a very small town in northern MN that not many have heard of.]  I am finding that the world is MUCH smaller than you think :)

[crowd gathered to watch the Tonsberg Children's Parade]

We went to another Rotary member's home for lunch and a quick nap.  Then off to Herman's [another Rotary member!] home where we all shared our stories from the day and then grilled out.  Our day rounded out with a trip back to downtown Tonsberg where we were given torches and walked through the street [I am sure you are all envisioning an angry mob resembling Beauty and the Beast] however this was not the case - it was quite peaceful. The walk ended down by the canal where there were fireworks & electronica music...a different combination than I am used to but I'll take it!

[Harald & Venja with their family]

I feel so lucky to have had the chance to celebrate Syttende Mai in Norway.  This was a day that I will never forget.