Next Stop, Norway!

To Vinterbro, Norway -- Day 1

Having now spent a couple weeks in Sweden, I finally feel like I'm starting to get the hang of the language again. I had a few brief exchanges in Swedish with Kerstin and Åke last night. As I recalled, I always spoke a lot better (or at least thought so) after a drink or two. Åke helped me remember the small town in the Darlarna region (Malung) where I had first come in June of 1986 to learn Swedish.

It was super, super nice to be at Kerstin and Åke’s house. The meal last night was awesome, and the breakfast table was set and ready when we came down this morning. They were so kind. We were a bit hurried, however, knowing we needed to get back into Stockholm to catch our train to Oslo.

As we left the house at 8:30, waving our goodbyes (and heydås) and heading down the small hill towards the train station, we were all excited for the next part of the journey -- Norway here we come.

Before we knew it, we were back in Stockholm and onto the next train. It was super nice -- quiet, comfortable, fast WiFi -- and took only a couple hours to get to our one stop in the little town of Hallsberg. Unfortunately, we are morons and handily turned our one hour stop into six by walking right past our train and over the walkway to the platform to greet the train arriving from Oslo, just as our train departed to Oslo. (Life's hard, but it's harder when you're dumb).

Train FROM Oslo -- NOT our train

Oh well, despite the short lived frustration, there really was little harm done. We have nothing but time, so pulled out our phones and 20 minutes later had bought new tickets leaving now at 17:28 instead of 12:28. The worst of it was a slight reduction in our bank account and the fact that Cam would have to meet us in Oslo at 21:04 instead of 16:04.

Five hours later -- Our train TO Oslo

True to its reputation, the rain soon started as we continued west into Norway.  The scenery was mostly forest and farmland. Dex couldn't stop jumping up and down when he saw a moose standing off in the distance on the edge of a wheat field. We passed the time playing cards -- Rummy and a game the kids taught me, Karma.

Cam met us at the train station as promised and helped us navigate tickets and the bus out of the city. It was so great to see him after 16 years. I'm embarrassed to say, I'm still trying to remember the details of our last visit in 2000, though I definitely remember the hiking and fun we had when he visited in 1998.

Cam and I originally met hiking in the Everest region of Nepal in November, 1996. Cam, a native Australian, was with his friends, Helen and Andrew, while I was with friends April, Bruce and Kristina. We all hit it off at one of the many lodges along the trail. When I eventually made it to Australia many months later, I was warmly welcomed and have kept in touch ever since.

An hour later, we had arrived and walked up the long hill in the light rain to his and partner Jan’s little hillside house. Many of the houses in this rural area are used as summer homes, though Cam and Jan are here full time. Luckily for us, the neighbors had just left the day before heading back to their permanent residence and were willing to let us stay at their place next door. The little house is rustic and quaint with tiny kitchen, wood burning stove, no running water, sheep skin coverings on the furniture and a novel (for us) compost toilet in the small “annex” out back.

Cam and Jan's place

Neighbor's place, and our abode

Neighbor's annex

Despite the late hour, Cam went to fetch a fantastic, homemade apple cake, of which I had no fewer than three pieces. The kids were super excited to see the collection of coloring books, rubber bands, Pearler beads and yarn. Not only that, the welcome note on the table instructed us to eat at least one piece of candy from the jar every day. Clearly, tomorrow would be another good day.