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