I spent eight weeks in Norway, six at the International Summer School at the University of Oslo with more than 500 students of different ages from 70 countries.

I spent eight weeks in Norway, six at the International Summer School at the University of

Oslo with more than 500 students of different ages from 70 countries. My then-girlfriend, Alice,

accompanied me.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-

mindedness.” Mark Twain

Pathway to Blindern Studenterhjem – dormitories. Blindern is location of

University.

Main University courtyard. “…Memories came back…Here I was going

to a Norwegian class at Blindern 22 years after I made the trip by trikk to

Blindern as an 11-year old to take Norwegian lessons with a University

student. I got a lump in my throat as I reflected on the memory.”

The steps outside main dormitory – the social gathering place.

A clear day outside Frognerseteren Restaurant gives you a view of Oslo

from the highest point overlooking the city.

The Oslo Folkmuseum is an open-air museum with buildings dating several centuries. You will find animals grazing.

A Sunday afternoon at the Folkmuseum means folkdance

exhibitions by men and women dressed in traditional

regional bunads.

We took the “Norway in a Nutshell” tour to Bergen. Train from Oslo to Myrdal; train on

four tiers of tracks to Flåm; boat around fjords to Gudvangen; bus

to Voss; train to Bergen.

The ride to Myrdal in July offered views of green and

snow.

On the Flåmbanen, the train stops so people can take pictures of Kjofossen, the largest waterfall in Norway.

The village of Flåm.

The ferry ride around the fjords to Gudvangen. You never know which way to look and what is coming

next.

The ferry came up close to the waterfall so people could take pictures. The next pictures tell

1,000 words.

From beauty to hair raising. At left, I am photographing the bus from our bus. Our bus driver said, “The back of the bus is now two meters lower than the front of the bus.” At

right, a view from the bus on road from Gudvangen to Voss.

Views from train from Voss to Bergen.

Reaching Bergen can be anti-climatic after the trip. It is a

charming city and has retained the look of the 15th-16th century when it was a member of the Hanseatic

League. Bergen is also the city between seven mountains.

The main attraction is the open air Fisketorget, Fish Market, which has grown from just selling fish off the boats to souvenirs, clothes and more.

A family friend allowed us to stay at her house even though she was away. This is a

view from the house.

Among the dramatic activities is taking a funicular up steep

tracks to Fløien for views overlooking Bergen.

.

From Fløien, there are hikes of varying difficulty. We hiked two hours uphill to

the top of the mountain.

The paths took us higher until we reached the top

where there is no view

of Bergen.

Seals and penguins are among the main attractions at the

Bergen Aquarium.

Later the following week I was in Lillehammer, where a wooden ski jump

had a countdown to the start of the 1994 Winter Olympics.

The following weekend, (July 25-26) we went on our excursion with the Summer School to Noresund. We visited the Ringnes Manor, which has been in the family since 1325. We walked through the house which was built in 1812 and had this view.

The next day we took an almost three-hour hike to the top of Høvegarde, 1,340 meters above sea level. We saw reindeer and sheep along the way.

People from 12 nations climbed together. If someone tired, people waited.

The following weekend we were in Rauland. Someone had come up with the idea of reenacting

the horse procession of the 19th century from Western Norway to Rauland. People would bring the horses to a market. The procession went by the end

of Torbjørn and Debbie’s street.

Ingrid leads the way. The procession ended at the site of the old market, where we were treated to fiddle music

on Hardanger fiddles.

The following week brought exams and the conclusion of the six weeks of the Summer School. There was a

farewell party, signing of yearbooks and tearful good-byes. Above, back, Kaare, who worked in the

administration office, Zivojin (Yugoslavia), the night watchman for 37 straight summers, my Norwegian

teacher, Audun; front, me, classmate Shayna (Miami), receptionists Kare and Inge.

Above left, Matthias and Astrid (Germany) and me;

above right, Sultan (Russia); bottom right, me with

classmates, Erica (Vancouver, BC) and Bea (Spain, who was

living in Norway with her American husband).

We would travel North above the Arctic Circle to Stamsund in the Lofoten Islands. Eight hours by train to Trondheim, stay overnight; 11 hours by

train to Bodø, stay overnight; four hours by boat. Above, on train from Trondheim to Bodø. Those

are clouds not fog.

We reached the Arctic Circle (pyramid marker) at 5:15 p.m. just as the conductor said.

Past the Arctic Circle.

View down street in Bodø, second largest city in Northern Norway

above Arctic Circle and gateway to the North.

“The Lofoten Islands is one of two places in the world people

should visit before they die.” Ragnhild Dalgard

Views of The Lofoten Wall, the islands and their mountains. There are 30-40 islands stretching 125 miles

into the Norwegian Sea; 10-12 are inhabited.

We stayed with friends of friends. Their house was perched on top of a cliff

overlooking the harbor. They had an outdoor pool. Guri and Nils were tremendous hosts.

From front of the house around 10 p.m.

All prepared for the day. Notice I’m wearing a Norwegian sweater and it is

August.

View from Stamsund.

We head home, south on two-day boat to Trondheim. View of Lofoten Wall from

boat around 10 p.m.

We pass the marker for the Arctic Circle by sea.

Return to excerpts page.