Three weeks. That's how long we've been back stateside after our amazing 13 day European odyssey. So, what have I been doing? Besides neglecting my blog, that is. Well, to be quite honest, it's a bit of a blur.
The upshot is, we will close on our new home in Colorado Springs on October 11th. So, yes, we have been busy. More on that later.
When I last wrote we had just conquered jet lag. What followed were five unforgettable days in Norway.
We explored Oslo, or rather rediscovered it and revisited a few favorite spots (Frogner Park where the famous Vigeland Sculptures are and the Akershus Fortress to name a couple). The Norwegian Air Force was preparing to celebrate 100 years of flight so we were excited to see them setting up static displays including the Joint Strike Fighter or F-35. But for me, the highlight of the day was being interviewed, on camera, by Norwegian students, in English, about what I liked about Norway (I guess it was their homework, little did they realize I could have gone on for days with that question!)
We also drove the three hours to Geilo, a lovely mountain resort town, to spend a couple of days hiking and soaking in the beauty of the countryside. And in fact, we really did soak it in. Or rather it soaked into us in the form of liquid sunshine. But the rain didn't really deter us. We were, after all, in Norway and in Norway there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So, we donned our raingear and headed out onto the mountain for several miles of scrambling over rocks and through heather (there are a lot of similarities between the Norwegian and Scottish hills).
It had only been sprinkling when we started, but by the time we returned it was pouring and we all gratefully deposited our muddy shoes and dripping outerwear in the mudroom. Sipping strong coffee I curled up in an overstuffed leather chair in front of a blazing fire and enjoyed reading my book and dozing through the rest of the afternoon. As the sun began to descend (though it wouldn't really set until after 11pm) the sky cleared and Tom and I hiked up under the ski lifts to watch the moonrise.
Magic.
Being back in Norway, after nine years away, was truly bittersweet. The country and the people were as wonderful as I remembered and I enjoyed every moment.
-Meeting friends of friends, Norwegians, who truly appreciate America and who treated us like family.
-Speaking a little Norwegian, and recognizing words, phrases, foods, and a hundred tiny things that conjured treasured memories
-Gazing out over the hills or the fjords and realizing no postcard could do the views justice
-Brown cheese on the thick, grainy Norwegian bread
-Reindeer with lingonberries
It will not be nine years before I return to Norway again.
