Apr 22 2009
The Easter weekend
I hope everyone had a restful and happy Easter.
On Thursday, 9 May I hopped on a bus to join Anne and her family in Risør. I’ve delayed putting up this post because I don’t have the photos from Anne’s camera and I didn’t bring mine. However, to not lose my audience and bore you guys, I’m going to post now and then update when I get the photos up.
The bus ride was pleasant, the bus was spacious and had wireless internet onboard, and a three and a half hour ride cost 35 bucks, which isn’t so bad even compared to Canadian fares.
I spent from Thursday to Monday in Risør, hiking the hills and enjoying the outdoors. The weather was fantastic and that allowed for a number of day trips. We went to see Norway’s largest glacial pothole (there shall be photos). As well we also climbed a peak and left our names in a logbook at the top. We also spent some time at Anne’s cabin which is some 15 minutes outside of Risør in the surrounding hills. I had plenty of time to be told about the local, tangled family histories. Anne’s mother’s side of the family originates in the Risør area so they know just about everyone there, it’s a little strange to me, an immigrant child who doesn’t know anyone.
I returned home with the Solheims so there was no bus ride on the way back. Since that time I’ve only gone to Hovedøya (same place as my first set of photos). I went with three friends, all internationals. It was a nice time and I overtanned my bald head *sigh*. It wasn’t burned but it was tender.
My Norwegian taxes have come in already, there were quite a few zeros on it. No income of course, the tutoring I do is on a private basis. The nice thing is of course I don’t have to do anything with my taxes, just jump on the web and confirm that the tax info they sent me is correct.
I want to mention something I found very strange about Norway. They put their blinds on the outside of buildings. At least they do at the public and commercial buildings. So the gym I go to, my school, the government buildings, all have large, automated blinds on the outside of their windows. It looks ridiculous and seems entirely pointless to me. How do you clean the blinds and the windows? What happens if something breaks? I will have some photos of this for you guys as well.
Thanks for reading and I will have photos up soon.