Hei :) So moving on through September….
I
heard about a trip a couple friends were taking, and plainly asked if I could
come along. So myself, Jana (Canada) and Felix (Germany) boarded a plane
Thursday night, September 13. We took it to Oslo, where we immediately got on a
train to take us to the city centre (the airport is about a half hour from the
city) We explored a little of the center but the weather was not making it
easy, it was quite rainy. However, it was neat because I saw some of the places
that Ali saw. (my best friend who had studied abroad in Oslo this past spring)
It made me real happy. It started pouring and we made our way back to the train
station where we camped out until 1:30am. Security went around telling the few
people in the station that we had to wait by the bus terminal. We left
reluctantly through the pouring rain, but we tried our luck at the nearest
hotel (the bus stop did not seem very safe, I was exposed to some of the
craziest people that night and was extremely grateful that I had people with
me) So we stopped in the Radisson, a hotel also very popular throughout Norway
as well as the States and asked if we could bunk for a few hours in their
lobby. They agreed but only if none of us fell asleep. It was warm, and cozy,
and very difficult to stay awake but we were thankful. 4am we headed back to
the train station, where we got on our train at 6:30a.
Because
of staying up the entire night, I fell asleep immediately—being in and out of
sleep the first two hours. It was bummer, because this train ride from Oslo to
Bergen was supposedly the most beautiful in Norway. Although I have not been on
the train anywhere else in Norway, I could not agree more. It was so pretty,
the entirety of the eight hours. I was getting very excited approaching Bergen,
hearing only good things about the Norwegian city. Bergen was friendlier than
Oslo and once again we found another Radisson so we could freshen up. After
feeling ready to take on the city, we began exploring! Pictures do not do
justice, but I can say that Bergen is the most beautiful city I have ever been
in. I would love to go back someday. The three of us walked through the fish market,
tried caviar and headed towards the infamous Bergen Bryggen. It was just
darling. I loved it. It is an old merchant quarter, a preserved business
district from the Hanseatic Period. Just so pretty, we stopped in a little café
where Felix and Jana got coffee and a roll while I treated myself to a $9
caramel mocha, it was worth it:) Our friend Kai (Australia) joined us at the
café after he took a flight from Tromsø to Bergen that day. It was nice to have
the four of us together.  |
| Bryggen:) |
Friday
night we embarked on the Hurtigruten to begin our three-day trip on a Northern
route along the western Norwegian Coast! The boat was so big, I felt like we
were on a mini Titanic. The majority of the guests were of the older
generation, apparently a lot of Germans. Saturday morning we approached Ålesund
for a quick port, then went back south to begin our four-hour journey through
Storfjorden and Geiranger. All I can say is, the entire four hours were
breathtaking. Geiranger is one of the most famous, natural attractions in
Norway; the four of us were on the deck, shivering, the whole time taking
pictures because it was so pretty. The entire ship went through a rainbow at
one point, it was so cool! We made our way back to Ålesund where we only had 40
minutes to find some food; it took awhile to locate the grocery store so we had
to hustle back to the ship.
 |
| Geiranger, seriously so pretty. |
Overnight,
we would sleep on the couches that were in the upper viewing deck. It sounds a
lot worse than it was. I was up by six each morning because that was when the
cleaner would come around with the vacuum cleaner, but I did not mind being up
that early:) On Sunday, the Hurtigruten approached the city of Trondheim, also
a cute Norwegian city with incessant charm. It was a Sunday, so close to
nothing was open and not many people were out, but it was still nice. From
blocks away, we saw the arch of the famous Niadorasdomen and the closer we got,
the more I fell in love with the magnificent cathedral. It was seriously
incredible, the intricate design. Everything about it was just so pretty, which
led to lots of pictures:) I hope to be visiting a friend who lives in Trondheim
later in the semester so I am hoping that then I will be able to view inside.
We just walked around the quiet city and it was very relaxing. We came across a
red track and I instantly thought of the team back home, and how much I missed
running with them. Back on the boat, I had found a book Safe Haven by Nicolas
Sparks the previous night, and finished it that Sunday night. It was so
calming, reading and then looking up to see a gorgeous sunset on the beautiful
Norwegian coastline in front of me. Sidenote:: The 16th was also my
9th month anniversary with Matthew:) and
I have never been so happy although I am missing that boy every day.
 |
| Niadorasdomen |
Monday,
we approached Bodø, and I can say that this was the one and only distasteful
city I had been in while being in Norway. It wasn’t that big, but it just seemed
more industrialized than the others without the charm. The boys got Burger
King, while Jana and I treated ourselves to Subway. After Felix and Jana made
their way back to the ship, they were hoping to continue on to Tromsø the
following day, Kai and I went on our own way to find the airport so that we
could catch our flight back to Tromsø that evening. It was a long wait, but a
quick flight. And it was crazy how excited I was being back in Tromsø. I felt a
surge of immediate relief and was so excited to be back. I thought I would be
glad, but I was very thrilled. I was quite anxious having my computer so I
could catch up with my family and Matt via Skype.
It
was a beautiful wonderful weekend. Highlights: the Bergen Bryggen, Geiranger,
and Niadorasdomen. The next day I met up with Rudi, Ashley, and Holly and
showed them pictures while having a tasty waffle from Café Bodega:) I also came
home to package #2 form home! I am so blessed. I believe my favorite items
inside, were my grey jacket, one that my father used to wear but now I have
claimed it as mine, and a stack full of pictures from home. The pictures are
now scattered throughout my room, constantly reminding me of the amazing people
in my life. I also received a package that Brittney had sent me too! Full of
goodies and especially, The Lion King DVD.
Wednesday,
the 19th I attended class, ran, and then met up with Karolina
(Canada) Holly, and Ashley to enjoy an Asian dish, it was delicious and good
company too, of course:) That night I started packing again!
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