Norway - Oslo and Veierland
We have been home (in the US) for several weeks. I have procrastinated the last few Germany blogs because I feel like writing them will be the real end of our life in Germany.
Before we left Germany, we had the opportunity to visit with the family of one of our exchange students in Norway.
There are several ways to get to Norway from Germany, it really isn't very far. We opted for the most entertaining mode of transportation - the Color Line Ferry. From the ferry, we had an excellent view of the Fjords as we travelled up the coast.
In Oslo, Siri met us at the ferry and brought us home to a traditional dinner. Two items on the menu really stuck out. First was caviar in a tube. It does not look like caviar in the fish egg sense, but rather like a pale salmon colored paste squeezed out of a toothpaste like tube. Sound appetizing? I took a piece of bread, perhaps with a bit of mustard, added a slice of boiled egg and topped it off with a line or two of caviar. I would never have tried it on my own, but it was delicious.The second item on the table I will never forget was the brown cheese, or Brunost. This goat cheese is processed in a way that the natural sugars in the goat milk caramelize. If sunshine was cheese, this is what it would taste like. We ate it on bread with sliced strawberries.
The next morning we went to downtown Oslo for the grand tour. We met up with Magnus and Jade at the Opera house. It is meant to represent an Iceberg rising from the sea.
After walking around town a bit we stopped at a church where a memorial was being made for all of the people who were killed in the terror attack that happened in July of 2011. We were in Oslo just before the anniversary.
Many people don't realize the deep effect this had on the people of Norway. This is a very small country with a population that is equally small. Most people in Norway were related to someone or knew someone affected in the bombing or shooting.
Most of the offices that were bombed survived because the bomber did not know that the underground parking garage would absorb most of the blast. The buildings have not yet been completely repaired.
We continued walking around Oslo and came across this fun sculpture.
The next day we visited the Viking Museum. This is an actual viking ship that was unearthed by a farmer in the early 19th century (I think). Three viking burials were found, so the museum was also filled with various viking paraphernalia.
Just down the road from the Viking Museum is the Folks Museum of Oslo. It was surprising and interesting to see how rich the history of Norway is.
Later we made our way to Frogner Park which houses the Vigeland Sculpture Arrangement. Here my son is recreating the famous Crying Baby statue.
Just as the clouds were about to to burst, we made it to the Obelisk.
The next day, after a few hours drive and a short ride on a ferry to Veierland Island, we arrived at our friends summer cabin. Cars and other motor vehicles are not allowed on the island. It was paradise on the North Sea. We all spent hours rowing boats, fishing for crabs, hiking and spending time together.
Paton is making my viking ancestors proud by braving the frigid waters of the North Sea.
Before oil was discovered, much of Norway's economy was based on Whaling and fishing. This fountain/monument commemorates the dangerous life of the Whalers.
Too soon it was time embark again on the ferry and return to Germany. This time, we were able to snag seats at the music show.
Being able to spend some time with our friends in Norway was a highlight of our year in Europe. I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to visit with them. It is truly amazing see the boy that lived with us for a year as a high school student grow into such a wonderful young man.
