Monday, August 31, 2009
Week 13 & 14
August 17-30, Norway:
We are having a great time in Norway, enjoying the extended stay to visit with Lisa's family. I will try and get her to share thoughts on the blog before we head on to Asia.
At this point I think we have managed to visit most of the Gjerde/Theisen family, participated in several family dinners/breakfasts, watched part of Alexander's soccer game, took a few bike rides, shopping, hung out with Annie & Nina (cousins), and attended church with both Grandmothers.
We also took a day trip to Hønefoss with Anne-stine(cousin) to visit Frederick (cousin) and Tone.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Week 11 continued & Week 12
Norway:
August 7-9:
Our first weekend in Norway Lisa was busy attending the wedding festivities of her cousin, Linda. Meanwhile, I was being educated on the local history of the logging industry at a museum in Fetsund. I also ate Norwegian waffles with Granny and Aunt Mona at the first house in Lillestrøm.
August 10-16:
We traveled to Oslo and took a walk by the ocean on a pier, Akerbrygge. Uncle Leif took us to see the new Harry Potter movie at the Colosseum, the largest cinema in Northern Europe and the largest equipped with THX in the world. He also took us on a tour of the university and some local sites including Vige-Land park.
Lisa's Uncle Paul & Aunt Mona took us to the mountains. The mountains here are beautiful and covered with reindeer moss.
On the way we came upon two Moose, rather Meese, in the road, they were huge! I was so excited to see them, after many trips to Maine and Canada without site of one.
We took a morning walk into the mountain to observe Paul training his dog, Aiko, whom Lisa and I have spoiled. He is such a sweet dog. We visited the town of Røros, which was once famous for its copper production. We walked around the downtown looking at traditional houses, shops, and various pieces of art. I was very excited to find a great deal on a Norwegian sweater and I tried another Norwegian tradition, rømme grøt(porridge). In fact, I have also eaten reindeer, moose, goat, and horse. I have heard of blood pudding but I'm trying to steer clear of it.
Our next adventure took us by train to Trondheim to visit Lisa's cousin, Matias. He and his roommates were very kind and cooked for us several times. We took in the local sites and Matias gave us a tour of the University where Lisa's parents met. He also took us to the mountains and I was introduced to yet another Norwegian tradition of wild berry picking. I think the final collection was around 8 liters of blueberries.
August 7-9:
Our first weekend in Norway Lisa was busy attending the wedding festivities of her cousin, Linda. Meanwhile, I was being educated on the local history of the logging industry at a museum in Fetsund. I also ate Norwegian waffles with Granny and Aunt Mona at the first house in Lillestrøm.
August 10-16:
We traveled to Oslo and took a walk by the ocean on a pier, Akerbrygge. Uncle Leif took us to see the new Harry Potter movie at the Colosseum, the largest cinema in Northern Europe and the largest equipped with THX in the world. He also took us on a tour of the university and some local sites including Vige-Land park.
Lisa's Uncle Paul & Aunt Mona took us to the mountains. The mountains here are beautiful and covered with reindeer moss.
On the way we came upon two Moose, rather Meese, in the road, they were huge! I was so excited to see them, after many trips to Maine and Canada without site of one.
We took a morning walk into the mountain to observe Paul training his dog, Aiko, whom Lisa and I have spoiled. He is such a sweet dog. We visited the town of Røros, which was once famous for its copper production. We walked around the downtown looking at traditional houses, shops, and various pieces of art. I was very excited to find a great deal on a Norwegian sweater and I tried another Norwegian tradition, rømme grøt(porridge). In fact, I have also eaten reindeer, moose, goat, and horse. I have heard of blood pudding but I'm trying to steer clear of it.
Our next adventure took us by train to Trondheim to visit Lisa's cousin, Matias. He and his roommates were very kind and cooked for us several times. We took in the local sites and Matias gave us a tour of the University where Lisa's parents met. He also took us to the mountains and I was introduced to yet another Norwegian tradition of wild berry picking. I think the final collection was around 8 liters of blueberries.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Week 11
August 3-6: Ireland
I was continually amazed at the beauty of Ireland.
Before I continue I should add that I am not a Japanese expert, nor fluent in the language, just an admirer.
There is a word in Japanese, wabisabi, which to the best of my understanding is defined as finding beauty in simplicity. This describes well my feeling about Ireland, nothing too majestic in the people or the land but a beauty in both that was inescapable.
August 7-9: Norway
I was continually amazed at the beauty of Ireland.
Before I continue I should add that I am not a Japanese expert, nor fluent in the language, just an admirer.
There is a word in Japanese, wabisabi, which to the best of my understanding is defined as finding beauty in simplicity. This describes well my feeling about Ireland, nothing too majestic in the people or the land but a beauty in both that was inescapable.
August 7-9: Norway
Sunday, August 2, 2009
July 26-August 2
Ireland:
The past week I have been around the west coast of Ireland. The people here are very talkative and willing to help. I have been to the Cliffs of Moher, Oughterard, Galway, Dingle Peninsula, Tralee, and Cork.
I am worried that I will not have great pictures. I didn't bring my camera and picked up a disposable, not sure it can do justice to what I have seen.
I also found the city from which my Grandmother's relatives might have come, I will have to do some research.
It has rained almost everday at some point but a nice change from the hot humid weather in the rest of Europe.
I continue to meet folks from around the world including Cleveland, TN. You just never know who you will run into. The last few days I got to spend time with some girls from France who were also traveling alone, they didn't know each other beforehand. We decided to hear some traditional Irish music and within a few minutes an Italian couple, a guy from NY, and a mother/daughter from London had joined us. It was entertaining to listen to everyone's story.
My last day in Tralee the hostel owner's family introduced me to Irish football, a mix between soccer, football, and rugby.
The past week I have been around the west coast of Ireland. The people here are very talkative and willing to help. I have been to the Cliffs of Moher, Oughterard, Galway, Dingle Peninsula, Tralee, and Cork.
I am worried that I will not have great pictures. I didn't bring my camera and picked up a disposable, not sure it can do justice to what I have seen.
I also found the city from which my Grandmother's relatives might have come, I will have to do some research.
It has rained almost everday at some point but a nice change from the hot humid weather in the rest of Europe.
I continue to meet folks from around the world including Cleveland, TN. You just never know who you will run into. The last few days I got to spend time with some girls from France who were also traveling alone, they didn't know each other beforehand. We decided to hear some traditional Irish music and within a few minutes an Italian couple, a guy from NY, and a mother/daughter from London had joined us. It was entertaining to listen to everyone's story.
My last day in Tralee the hostel owner's family introduced me to Irish football, a mix between soccer, football, and rugby.
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