International Norway!

The week began playing several rounds of Uno with my Airbnb host family’s 4-year-old daughter and ended with a Norwegian-style hike straight up Mt. Ulriken, to the Norway I fell in love with last summer.

And in between that? An international tour from Bergen. Here are the highlights.

Early in the week, I discovered that there is a beginner’s table at the Norwegian language library meet-ups. That made my life so much easier! I sat around a circular table with a Columbian, a Russian, and four Ukranians. We stammered through our language practice while our Norwegian host invited us into the world of animal vocabulary. “Jeg forstår ikke.” I don’t understand. “Hva betyr det?” What does that mean? These phrases, I know well! Later in the week, a Canadian whose husband, an archaeologist, now works at the university allowed me to feel what it was like to not be the newest Norwegian speaker at the table. There may be hope!

I went for a long walk with a Romanian who is married to a Norwegian and has lived in Norway for seven years. She told me about the ins and outs of her life in Norway.

I also enjoyed a hike and then coffee with a Dutch gal who lives in Bergen with her Dutch husband and son. We got into the world of the Norwegian education system and job opportunities, from her perspective.

I enjoyed two dates with a wonderful Aussie who has since returned to Sydney. 😥 At one point he asked me what the stereotypes of Australians are in the US. I embarrassed myself in a sushi restaurant by trying to say “Put another shrimp on the barbie!” with an Australian accent. He just shook his head and said, “First of all, we never say shrimp. It is prawns.” So, there you go, an important lesson to Americans.

I met up with an American who spent three years trying to convince Norway to green-light his visa request. His life story was one of the most remarkable I could ever imagine. I was completely captivated. More on his journey next week when I focus on the reality of trying to work in Norway as an American.

Hiking in Norway. The land of no switchbacks!

And finally, one of the joys of living in Bergen is that there are many hikes I can access from my front door! I have been eying Ulriken since I arrived. Every morning, while I look out my kitchen window waiting for the water to boil, I stare up at it in wonder. On Sunday, I finally made my way to the top. It took less than 90 minutes to arrive at this spectacular location, with views of Bergen in one direction and views of all-natural Norway in the other. It was the perfect endcap to one of the most fulfilling weeks of my life. Which of course followed one of the toughest weeks of my life.

Ahh…the wonder of travel. 🧡

Lessons from: International Norway!

In Bergen, it does not just rain a lot. It is the rainiest city in Europe with an average of over 88 inches (2250 mm) per year. That is double what Portland, OR receives.
The cheese slicer was invented in Norway!
Ulriken is one of the tallest of the seven mountains that surround Bergen.
98% of Norway’s electricity comes from hydro.

Something interesting: Yes, taxes are high, but what is the trade-off?

Americans tend to balk at what Europeans pay in taxes and to each their own but I can tell you what I have witnessed here.

Svana, my Icelandic Airbnb host is currently on 12 months of paid maternity leave.

My new Dutch friend Caroline has a son who is in daycare five days a week from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack are included. They spend the entire afternoon outside, no matter the weather. She pays $360/month for this.

Rob, my new American friend, is about to have knee surgery. He will have to pay $300 before the remainder is covered. And that will fulfill his deductible for the entire year. He has no monthly premiums.

All education is free in Norway through a master’s degree.

And what is most noticeable to me, there is a thriving middle class!

A look behind the curtain.

You may have noticed that I did not mention spending time with any Norwegians this week, aside from the host at the language meet-up, and there is a reason for that. I did not spend any time with Norwegians this week.

I have chatted with Norwegians on Facebook groups and my dating app, but they have not been the ones to engage with me in person, yet. I suppose this does not surprise me, as I already knew that Norwegians keep to themselves. It is cultural. It does not stem from rudeness. It is an insular society where people have their friend groups and they stick to those, careful to not intrude into others’ circles.

Yet I do find myself resisting this cultural practice most often because I forget and smile at a stranger. Mostly, I am met with only a blank expression, yet every so often I do get a smile back! And those return smiles mean a lot more here than they have anywhere else I have ever been.