Well, all I have to say is thank goodness for McDonalds offering free internet since school is not open on the weekend and I wont' have internet in my dorm room until the 16th.  Internet and Mcflurries- I might need my daily McDonalds fix for the next few weeks..... and so the journey beings.....

I made it!  After a few good nights of sleep, I finally feel human again.  I traveled on Thursday, August 5th with one 50 LB suitcase, a guitar and a backpack.  Fortunately the kind people of air travel handled the suitcase.  Most of my flying time was during west coast day time hours so my body just wouldn’t let me sleep.  My sweet Italian wing-mate put it best.  After a trip like that, I was ‘destroyed’.  Not only was I tired but after arriving in Bergen, I was off and running (with bags in tow) following Anna, NHH School representative, to the SiB to choose my dorm room, back to the bus station to get a monthly bus pass and finally to my dorm room.  Of course all of this is either by bus or by walking.  I couldn’t thank Anna enough for all of her guidance.  The thought of trying to do all of that on my own was painful.  I was a zombie.  My brain was not functioning.  My only thought was to keep checking my wallet and passport to make sure I wasn’t forgetting the two most important things.

After 20 hours of travel and running around Bergen with Anna

I had the best of intentions of being productive upon arrival... head off to IKEA to get some dorm room things, head to a grocery store to get food, etc.  Ha!  All I could muster was some coherent words to meet a few of my wing-mates in the shared kitchen before heading back to my room to finally lie down.  There are two nice young women from Italy close to Milan and a Norwegian girl.  I’m sooooo Southern Californian it’s awesome.  See, ‘awesome’ ‘cool’ ‘sweet’ ‘super’.... come out of my mouth and all of a sudden I’m very aware of where I’m from, like never before.  I don’t mind it.  Funny self observations.  That’s why I’m here, to learn from others and be a representative. 

I was able to nap for 3 hours stirring at about 6:30pm at which point I thought ‘I would really love to have a pillow for sleeping tonight.... a sheet or two wouldn’t hurt either’.  So, I stumbled out of bed and headed to the bus stop.  Mind you, it’s still nice and light at this time.  Oh!  And I feel very fortunate it didn’t rain the day I arrived!  Good fortune indeed!  Hopped on the number 90 bus scouring the upcoming skyline for the IKEA... desperate not to miss my stop!  Confirmed with the driver the appropriate stop and started on the 1/2 mile walk to the IKEA. 

Then, low and behold, anywhere you go in the world, IKEA is the same.  Praises be!  I couldn’t be more relieved.  I walked myself straight up to the restaurant and got me the Swedish Meatball dinner plate.  Ahhhhh.

Doing my best to mentally convert Norwegian Kroner prices to US Dollar (you know me, always doing my best to get the best price) I got together the basics remembering the 1/2 mile walk back to the bus. 

This leads me to one of my immediate observations- people do a lot more physical activity as a part of daily life here.  It’s pretty neat to see.  People of all ages walking all over the place.  People do have cars but no SUVs.  Sedans and some vans.  Also, bags aren’t free.  I was talking to my Italian wing mates and it’s the same in Italy.  Bag’s aren’t free so people bring their own or know they will be paying, fascinating.  Sure made me bring my IKEA bag back yesterday whey I went back for more room items.  

Ok, enough about my bus rides and IKEA trips (though I am proud of my speedy accomplishments... IKEA and I found the H&M) , down to the details- Bergen is BEAUTIFUL!  Landing was spectacular.  You come in over the coastline of a fjord.  It’s so green and there are sweet houses nestled all about with docks and boats.  The city is all very green and city center is wonderful with cobblestone streets and old buildings.  I did get a dorm room right across the street from campus.  It’s small (100 sq. ft) but everything I need and I DO have my own bathroom.  I have a ‘sea view’ as they call it or a view of the fjord as you can see by this picture from outside my window.  All dorms share a kitchen with about 5 other people and it seems very adequate.  The city is very safe.  Everyone speaks to me in Norwegian right off the bat even when I say ‘thanks’... and it is true that most people speak English which has been very helpful.

My 'sea view' and a sunny day

Hansiatic League Buildings

I’ve finally made it into city center today and it’s lovely.  While it is Sunday and everything in normal residential areas is closed, the touristy city center is open and thriving.  I even had a ‘fish burger’ for lunch at one of fish stands.

Right now the sun sets at about 10pm and dawn is about 5am.

Today is Sunday and I heard Church bells this morning.

A BIG thank you to everyone’s nice words and well wishes for this adventure.  I feel blessed to have wonderful family and friends in my life. 

All in all, things are great and I’m really looking forward to learning and living here.  

Fish Burger!

Crabs and the Wharf