Day 21, Trondhiem, Norway

We haven't fallen off the earth!. We have been very busy with family, and experiencing the beautiful landscapes of Norway.

When we landed in Oslo, we were suprised and rather disappointed to learn that the airport was not actually in the city. It was about two hours southeast of Oslo, so after a 45 minute wait for the bus we drove 5 minutes and caught a train to Oslo.

Two hours later we were in Oslo and in search of our hotel in moderately heavy rain. When we made it to the Best Western we were suprised to find out that they were not expecting us. We had been contacting one of Andy's cousins (Sigrid, who works at the Best Western), through Kelsey, in order to book a room for the night. Talking with Petter, the very helpful receptionist, we learned that the hotel was full, so after he called and talked to Sigrid (it was already 22:00) he offered us a conference room for the night... It was great! They pulled a couple of roll away beds into the room, gave us a key to a private bathroom across the hall, a key to a private shower, and didn't charge us for the night. What had promised to be one of our most expensive nights was all of a sudden free!

Norway, especially Oslo, is very expensive (another traveler we met claimed that it is the most expensive in the world). After moving in to our room we went out to find some food, not having eaten for the previous 14 hours, to our utter dissapointment and amazement the cheapest meal we could find at a resturant was a bowl of chicken alfredo pasta for 180 Norwegian Krona, about $30. Deciding against that we both ate at a convienence store for a great deal, $20.

The next morning we met Sigrid in person (Sigrid if you are reading this thank you again for helping us with the room) and she helped us get a good deal on a real room for the next night. Going out in the pouring rain we walked down to the waterfront, the nicest big city water front in Europe so far, visited the fortress, the royal palace, and the big sculpture park. On the way out of the sculpture park Simon found 500 Kroners on the ground (about 80 dollars). It was very helpful in the most expensive country.

We then went back to the hotel to relax for a little bit. Then since we were given the gift of 80 extra dollars we went to enjoy a beer down by the water. Two beers were about 22 dollars. The sun even came out so it turned out to be a great evening.

The next morning we had our best breakfast yet and it was included in the hotel. They had everything from eggs to salmon, to homemade bread. At that point we didn't know how much great food was ahead of us. We then caught the 8:07 train to Otta, which arrived around 11:30. Evy and her daughter Rebecka, (My cousins) came and picked us up and took us to there home, which was about 4 more hours. The drive was beautiful through the mountains and in and out of Fjords. The thing that stood out most was the very long tunnels, which were about 3 miles long. When we arrived in Åheim, Evy's mother had dinner prepared for us. At dinner it was Berit, Asbjørn, Susann, Sunniva, Evy, Rebecka, and us two.

The next day we had breakfast, which is a little different then at home; bread, homemade blueberry jam, butter, liver spread, caviar spread, shrimp cheese, brown cheese, salami, white cheese, and homemade juice. We then headed over to Truda's house (one of Berit's daughters).
We then headed back to Berit's house, where she had another wonderful dinner prepared, it was a fish sufflet. Very good! Tonight Truda's family and Berit's sons family was also there for dinner. It was great that soo many relatives were able to come over. We talked about going fishing and crabing today in the ocean but it ended up raining all afternoon. After dinner we went back to Evy's she had a few friends over that were from Lithuania. Had a few drinks and enjoyed the evening comparing cultures.

The next morning Truda and Evy took us to the coast, about and hour drive but yet the whole drive is along the water because they live on one of the many fjords. When we got there it was amazing view. We looked out over many fjords. They area through there they call a ship grave yard because there have been many hips that have gone down there because of the rough waters. It was very windy. Next stop was to an area where many people go surfing, I guess it is very common for people from Australlia to come visit here. We then got back for once again another great dinner. Tonight Berit served a vegatable soap. Berit's sister Solveig was even able to take to bus to come join us. Another great day!

Sunday, another day of rain. Still were not able to go fishing (fisky) too much rain. Today we went to Berit's because people were leaving and going home. It was time for us to say our goodbyes. Evy cooked us dinner tonight at her house. I think it was the first time that I had lamb. It was very good. It was then time for us to really say goodbye, Susann and Truda took us to catch the bus, which took us back to Otta. Then we caught the train to Trondheim. To all the Norwegian relatives reading this, we would love to say thank you again. It was an amazing experince for us. One we will never forget.

Rita, Berit's oldest daughter, lives in Trondheim with her family. Her and her daughter, Ingrid, picked us up at the train. We were very tired after traveling all night it was great to have a couple beds already waiting for us, to take a couple hour nap. We were then refreshed. Once the children were done with school and her husband was off work they took us into Trondheim, they live in a town about 10 miles away. Her husband, Ole, knew everywhere to go, it was great. We saw the cathedral, muliple lookouts over the city, kings house, fortress, old fishing ships, skiing long jump ramp (In 1997 Nationals were held here.) We then went to dinner in a tower that looks like a mini space needle. They had a rotating restaraunt at the top of the tower. We shared a few pizzas for dinner.

It is now September, can't believe we are already three weeks in. Tonight we had a very elaing morning. We went to the grocery store with Rita, it is very interesting to compare the prices, it is soooo expensive here. I then helped Rita do some cooking, it is fun trying to figure out what the ingrediants are some we have and others are new to me. Tonight we get to go fishing, rain or shine!

Simon and Kaylee