Sun!

Good morning! 

I woke up early this morning because the sun was beaming through my window. The first time I have seen sun at the cabin!!!! I am sitting outside on a big rock reading my book and sipping on coffee. The birds are chirping and sheep are bahing in the distance with their bells rattling as they move around. This is absolutely wonderful! 

 

Oh, the simple life.

Here is a quick recap of the day:

Brunch at noon

Lazy day (this is my room at the cabin. Notice the picture above my head? That is Kerry, Nancy, and Emily. Maren had the picture in her room and put it in my room for the weekend. So sweet)

Started to feel adventurous  

Thank goodness for Hilde and Arvid's motivation to go out hiking or Maren and I would have sat around being lazy all day

A little picnic on the mountain top  

Bathing in the crick. Super duper cold but very refreshing.  

Yummy dinner with the whole fam

A wonderful evening spent with the whole Børve family! Many great laughs around the table.  I am glad the bros came up for dinner tonight so I could hang out with them one last time before they left for their holiday in Greece. (I told them to not be surprised if I show up at their hotel in Greece :) ). 

Another relaxing day spent at the cabin with tasty food, amazing company, and the fresh mountain air. 

I have quotes/sayings saved in my phone that I have felt connected to when I come across them.   I love the power of quotes and want to start writing a quote in my blog that defines each day. 

My quote for the day is...

"Sometimes you need to step outside, get some fresh air and remind yourself of who you are and who you want to be."

Many deep conversations over coffee with Hilde is the reason I am tossing and turning in bed as I write this.  

Wonderfully lost

"Put down that map and get wonderfully lost"

This is a great picture of their cabin! i love this quote and it is exactly what we did during our hike on Wednesday and now today. When hiking through the mountains in Norway there are no trails to hike on. We walked on rocks, thick grass, and wet land and through mud, bushes and waterfalls. It is a true adventure with no destination in sight. 

On Wednesday, hiking up the mountain it was inevitable that our feet were going to get wet. The snow is melting and the land is very wet. We got to the top of the mountain and there were puddles in our shoes. YOLO, as Even would say. 

However, today we were not feeling the sporty spice energy that we were feeling on Wednesday. We packed our bag and just headed out for an unplanned hike. We stopped at the waterfall and filled up our water bottles, tiptoeing around all the mud puddles, trying very hard not to get wet. We walked past Maren's aunt and uncles place which is over the hill about a 20 minute hike. We stopped and ate bananas, nectarines, and chocolate for a snack on a big rock outside  of their cabin. 

Suddenly,  dark rain clouds started moving in on us fast.  We went under their little porch to finish our snack. We got out our seat pads to get comfy and started reading, waiting for the rain to pass. 

After about 10 minutes of being freezing cold, we looked at each other and knew the rain was not going to pass. I took off my sweaties, since they are the only ones I have at the cabin and put on my shorts. 

Maren kept telling me I needed to stop frolicking around because my feet were just gettig more wet than they needed to be and I was getting my legs wet. Two minutes later we both started running for home. Well so much for not getting our shoes wet. We got home and my bare legs were wet and cold and our shoes were puddles again and muddy. But we sure had a lot of energy. It felt good because we both have been sick these past two days. It was an adrenaline rush that is for sure. Norwegian Vikings!

We warmed up by the fire and thought about starting dinner.  Last night when we had soup, Maren was disgusted with me that I took the bowl from the table and wanted to just serve the soup from the oven. That is a big NO NO here in the Børve household.  I am finally learning the Norwegian ways so I heated up soup and boiled water for our tea. I set the table with all of the food and we ate by the fire. 

I went to put on my sweaties that were in my backpack from the hike. They were gone. My backpack had opened up as we were running in the rain through the mountains. Eff! So much for dry pants now. We put on our rain gear and headed out trying incredibly hard to retrace our exact steps which is near impossible. But we FOUND THEM :) déjà vu from last weekend right Maggie? ;)

Afterwards, I laid on the couch with the intentions to read and just fell asleep for about an hour. NO WORRIES IN THE WORLD. 

Maren and I were laughing that the only worry we had today was making sure we took a good picture. 

Arvid and Hilde joined us at the cabin around 10:30 pm. Time is like non existent here because it is always light out. It is a bizarre feeling. Hilde brought me cream cheese and salami from the store because I told her it was delicious. We sat down ate our snack, drank a glass of red wine, and I learned the history of Hilde and how she met Cyndi's family andKerry. What an amazing story that was. 

A very relaxing and wonderful day. I am praying for sunshine tomorrow because Arvid told me he would hike to the Hardangerfjord with me in the morning if it is a nice day. 

Miss you all in the states. It is crazy to think about what you all are doing as I go to bed at 1:30 am. 

Goodnight!

Beauty in the mountains of Norway

Currently I am laying on a couch next to candle light (yes, very romantic) with Maren in Hamlagrø at her cozy cabin (45 minutes from Voss). Honestly, words and pictures cannot express how beautiful of a place it is. 

Let me go into a little more detail. It is up in the mountains away from Voss.  Only a few cabins around us. We parked our car about 100 feet away from the cabin and walked the rest of the way. The land is very hilly with a lot of stones so we walked with our bags and groceries and water to the cabin. Very rustic!! There is no electricity or water so there are about 12 candles being burned right now along with a fire. 

The cabin is absolutely adorable. Hilde does an incredible job of making her home cozy and welcoming to all.  It is a special place. (Cozy and special are my new two favorite words because Maren and Hilde use them ALL the time which describes to a T what amazing people they are). We arrived here and I got the full tour :) of course, right when I walked in Hilde was boiling water and offering me tea or coffee. I love it that coffee and tea is brewing every hour of the day and served for every meal. Very cozy :) 

Hilde, Maren, and I sat outside at their table drinking tea and snacking on bread, jam, and cheese. We sat there just chatting about life for the longest time, enjoying the food and nature and each others company. It was wonderful. I love all of their cozy (ha) accessories at their home in voss and their cabin. They have these knitted pads that are the size of a placemat and just sit on your seat for extra cushion and just make the room bright. They also have little blankets in baskets sitting around making it so easy to Access. It is so great.  

Today was so peaceful and relaxing. Hilde headed home to go to work tonorrow. Maren and I started making dinner at 930 pm and didn't finish cleaning up until almost midnight. We just cut up fruit and chicken and chatted and listened to music. We made a chicken soup for supper and it was delish. Maren and I just have such great conversations. You all know me. Well she is exactly the same so we go from crying to laughing our asses off all in the same story. It is pretty awesome. 

It is so sweet. Maren and Hilde keep saying that they really have only known me for 3 days but I'd feels like they have known me for years. That is only because they know my aunt Kerry so well. Hilde keeps showing me pictures of when she was in the states when she and Kerry were in their 20s and how I look exactly like Kerry!! Also, I will be telling a story and Maren will suddenly start freaking out because she thinks me and Emily are so much a like. She thinks we look a like. Which we don't at all but I can see how we have similar mannerisms when we talk and our gestures. 

Enough of me now.. Here are some pictures of the day. 

Maren and I  (Nice shoes Maren)

Reading our books in the cabin

My norwegian mamma (Hilde)

Our cozy candle lit dinner

Maren hangin out

Time for bed. It is 2 am. Xoxo

Sporty spices

This is Maren writing Allie's blog for the day. Let's start from the beginning. These are my versions of events. Be prepared: this is going to be a detailed blog post about our day, but I will also try to include many pictures for you. That way it's easier for you (whoever you are) to visualize how we spent our day. 

Last night when we were partying, we were kinda ambitious about getting up early in the morning making the most of our day. Well, that didn't happen as you probably guessed. At least we woke up before noon. The weather was nicer today, so during our breakfast we were planning our day. Finally we decided to go hiking over a mountain straight above my house. Allie and I made sandwiches, filled our water bottles and brought some norwegian chocolate which we put in our backpack. My brother Christian, who also was kind of hungover (am I allowed to write that here?) decided to come with us. We drove for about three minutes up to the downhill skiing slopes, which is called Voss Resort. We parked our car and started our hike. There was a bike race, so we got to see some bikers going down the difficult trails. Allison is the sweetest - she's so exited about everything!!! Christian had to stop and wait for us cause we were stopping taking pictures all the time. We made him take pictures of Allie and I. I think it was too much for my brother when we were saying "can you please take one more" (just one is never just one). He decided to go back to the car, but the girls (the sporty spices) kept going! Our shoes are made for walking...

 

The hiking trails are steep so we definitely needed our water. We took a break eating our lunch when we had walked for about two hours. And we didn't sit down just anywhere... The chair lifts are standing still in the summertime, so we jumped on one and ate our lunch. Comfy seats!

I made us go outside of the trails so we got our feet wet, whoops. Sorry about that Allie. We were feeling really adventurous and talking about how we're gonna have so many good memories, even though Allie though her tour guide (me) didn't know where we were going. She was so worried, because we were supposed to be back at my house in like one hour. So Allison told me how we would never make it back in time (we had to get ready for a BBQ with my family) but I told her she should have more faith in both her tour guide and also the clock. When I'm stresses out my mom always tells me "the time will come to you". 

I could see the frustration in Allison's eyes. She was so worried that we would be late for the BBQ. It's a good thing though to have respect for the time and getting on time. When we finally got to the top of the mountain, her faith in me eventually came back. 

Are you getting tired of reading yet? FYI we're like half way through my story. Let's keep going. 

We're at the top of the mountain looking down on my house on one side and the town of Voss on the other side. Allison is stoked about it, going crazy with her new camera (which btw I'm stealing all the time - Canon takes great pictures). (Now I'm suddenly writing in present time, which is kind of weird compared to what I did before). --> I call my mom saying that we will probably be running a little late, but she tells me not to stress. Don't worry, be happy. This made Allie feel better, that my mom wasn't upset. We start our hike down on the other side of the mountain, going toward the town. The trail is really steep going down. We're running for about 20 min to make the street car before it stops going for the day at 5pm. There's a restaurant at Hanguren, which is 660 meters (2,165 feet) above sea lever. From the top on Hanguren you get a panoramic view of the centre of Voss. That's a great way to get a sense of direction, because I pointed out all the places I had shown Allison so far. 

We actually met a woman from Allies home town in Milwaukee. (She lived in Brookfield for 30 years and now Madison.) That was so funny, cause we asked her to take our picture and then Allie asked her where she was from. Obviously we could tell that she was American. From the top of the mountain we could also see a lot of hang gliders jumping off the mountain cliff, which was fun for Allison to see. It's also kinda scary - imagine doing that! 

However, we finally got back home, taking the street car from Hanguren back down to town. My mom picked us up. We showered real quick before leaving for my uncle's BBQ. Allie met my big family. 

     The cousins

I think it was fun for her to spend time with my cousins as well. We ate delicious food, jumped on the trampoline, played with the two dogs and played soccer. At 9pm Allison, myself and my two girl cousins Kari and Thea left my uncles house. 

We drove back to town to go in the festival tent ("Ekstremsportveko"=extreme sport week) to watch today's video. It was so cool to think that we actually saw some of the extreme sport today (the downhill bikers and the para gliders). When we got home we face timed Carolyn and later Nancy. I also played the piano and sang for Allison . We just relaxed and hung out the rest of the evening putting pictures on my computer, looking at old photos in the albums with my mom and two brothers (Even and Christian) from when my family went to the states. 

So that was literally what we did all day. I think I covered it all. Hopefully Allison will approve of this. Maybe she'll freak out about how much I actually wrote. Whatever. We're going to my cabin tomorrow. Allison will write more later - to be continued. 

One last thing: thank you Allie for taking the time to help me expand my vocabulary and explaining to me words and expressions that I don't understand.  

- Maren, Wednesday 26th of June. 

Top 10 insights from 6/25/13

1. I had many interesting conversations with Norwegians I just had met last night. Berit (Marens good friend) told me that Norwegians think that Americans are fake because we are too over the top and we come across as fake. She said Norwegians are (most of the time) very very reserved until they get to know someone well. She said if an American and Norwegian would meet half way it would be perfect. She gave two examples... One was that Americans shake hands and say "hello, it is nice to meet you". She just thought that was so weird because I could be shaking hands with a serial killer.  How do you know it is nice to meet that person until you actually get to know them? She also told me that Norwegians would never tell a person they just met that they look pretty. Americans could shake hands with someone and tell them they look nice today. That is on too much of a personal level she said. 

Maren also said Norwegians can come across cold to Americans but most of the time it is because they don't feel comfortable speaking English so they are embarrassed. (But they made a point to say they are much better at English when they are drunk so everyone was my friend last night)

2. Always wear close toed shoes to festivals-even if it is ugly. Norwegian boys don't look at your shoes. 

3. Norway has the best chocolate and candies I have ever eaten. 

4. Maren's drunken thoughts about the beauty of Norway at 3 am, "there is always something positive to look for in life. Even if you don't know what that is sometimes, you just have to find it." Thanks Maren. Ha

5. Partying with Norwegians at the Bula beanie boogie who sing and dance to american music (music that i don't even know) is a great time. 

6. A 6 pack of beer is 177 NOK (norwegian kroner) which converts to $29. Minimum wage is about 122 NOK which is $20 an hour. Crazy!

7. Jeg heter Allison. I am learning Norwegian :)

8. Maren and I still have fun exploring together even on rainy days. 

9. It doesn't get dark!! I can't get over how beautiful it is at 3 am

10. Voss is the most absolute beautiful place I have ever been. 

AND... Hilde and Arvid make delicious food!!

3 am

It is 3 am and not even dark. Unbelievable! ! I will write tomorrow. Maren is making me go to sleep. We had an amazing night at the festival with Maren's friends and brothers. Goodnight!!

But a fun one!

Having fun at Bordalsgjelet  (the popular waterfall in Voss)

A very rainy day...

Good morning from Voss, Norway

Goodmorning from Hilde's and Maren's home in the mountains where I am staying for about 2 weeks! 

Made it to beautiful Bergen!

I arrived in Norway finally! It was a pretty long day. I had a layover in Oslo but since we left 2 hours later than planned from JFK I only had 45 min in Oslo to get off the plane, grab my baggage, go through security, and get on my plane. It was a bit frantic. I was just so thirsty the whole trip because on the Norwegian flight they didn't give you water or pop unless you paid for it. It was kind of a money scam I felt like. Then I got to Oslo and I didn't have time to grab anything. I arrived and Maren came walking in with a Norwegian flag and American flag! So cute!! We went to pick up Hilde (Maren's mom) from her work in Bergen. 

Bergen is an hour and a half from home in Voss, Norway where I am staying. 

My aunt Kerry went to Norway after college and worked at a hotel and stayed with Hilde's family (that is my connection to their family). The hotel is in Bergen where we were so Hilde and Maren took me to the hotel called Terminus Hotel. The characteristics of the hotel were so beautiful and it was really neat to see where Kerry stayed and worked for the summer! I can't wait to show her pictures. 

Then we headed to ikea because they never make it to Bergen with a car so we they bought some fun things for their home. We are dinner there. I got Swedish meatballs with this really yummy sauce and potatoes and both Hilde and Maren got this popular Norwegian dish called Raspeballer. To me it looked like fluffy potatoes in a ball, a bratwurst, lamb, and bits of bacon on top. Which is exactly what it was :) it was amazing and Hilde said she would make it for me sometime. 

I ran into a man at Ikea on accident and I said I was sorry in a friendly manner, you know... And he was pretty standoffish back to me. I made a whopps face to Maren and she said "you know, people aren't as friendly here as they are in the US. People help put your groceries in a bag and genuinely say have a nice day. Here in Norway everyone has their own agendas and space and look at you like you are crazy if you are a stranger trying to talk to them."  I thought that was interesting because on my flight from Oslo to Bergen I tried to chat with the two girls next to me and they weren't feeling it at all. Haha. Guess I need to calm down a little. 

After the beautiful drive to Voss (which I tried to hard not to sleep through but I did a little), we arrived to their house. Thanks to Even (Maren's older brother) I have my own room! Their house is so cozy and beautiful. Hilde is so sweet and made us nordlandslefser which is like a thick and yummy flat bread that you put butter and sugar on or brunost (brown goat cheese)  I am trying everything possible. The cheese looked a little funny but it was delicious and Hilde said it is an everyday staple in their household. 

Their family has been extremely welcoming and has made me feel so comfortable to make myself at home. 

Going to bed and it is midnight and still light out. Here is the view from their family room at midnight! Goodnight

On my way from Oslo to Bergen!

And I'm off..

Well here I sit at the JFK airport in New York City still in disbelief that I am actually doing this! Go me! 

I started off this trip to Europe in Chicago. I spent the weekend at Brads place and woke up to mom and dad calling at 7:15 am to tell me they are almost there to pick me up. I probably shouldn't have gone to bed at 4 am. I was a bit groggy this morning (sorry mom and dad). I saw a lot of great friends this weekend in Chicago and it was a great way to start off my adventure. 

I took off from Chicago at 1030 am and arrived at JFK at 130. I had the middle seat and slept the entire way. I am currently texting and calling everyone I can to get it all in before Its more challenging to do when I am abroad. 

Thank you everyone for being so supportive of  my travels. I would never have been able to make this happen if it weren't for my whole family and Patti and Jess Patton. I love you all and will miss you. I PROMISE I will keep this blog updated unlike my Africa blog. 

I have received so much advice from everyone including strangers I take taxis with in Chicago. It has been so great learning the ins and outs so I can look like a pro when I am there. My favorite piece of advice was from Ben. "Go over there and spend as much money as you possibly can. Just go in debt. Why not" 

It goes along with one of my favorite quotes...

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer"

Next stop... Bergen, Norway