Hi there! It's been a while since I've posted anything, but this summer has been pretty amazing for me. One of the really cool things I've had the opportunity to do was go to Norway in June with my mom and my grandpa. We flew from Denver to Reykjavik, Iceland. Then from Iceland we flew to Bergen, which is the second largest city in Norway. My aunt and my grandma picked us up from the airport. We drove to the ferry, went inside and ate some ice cream, then we drove for quite a while to get to Bygstad, which is where my family lives.
Speaking of my family, it was definitely a full house. There were 13 of us altogether, and I really enjoyed that. I spend the vast majority of my time by myself which can get pretty lonely or boring at times, but in a house with 12 other people, there is always something going on or someone to talk to which is really nice. During the time we were all there we had quite a few parties/dinners where we got to eat lots of food and get to know more of my aunt's side of the family as well as some of their friends. On Sunday (we arrived on Saturday) my youngest cousin had a soccer tournament, so my mom, grandpa, aunt, two of my other cousins and I went to cheer him on and watch the games. That afternoon my aunt took all my cousins and I swimming, and it was so much fun. There is something so special about standing in the ocean or in a body of water, and it was so serene to look around and see the mountains on either side of where we were. <3 In the evening we went to a birthday party for Anita, who is my aunt's sister-in-law.
On Monday after the kids left for school, the rest of us went up to the cabin for the day. We had a really nice lunch on the porch, then I tried rowing a boat (which I'm really bad at) and on the way back I ended up catching two fish. (That's a story in itself, haha.) Later on, my aunt went to pick up my cousins from school, and they were at the cabin by the time I had returned from my excursion. The next day was probably one of my favorite days of the trip. The girls still had to go to school, but the boys were able to hang out with us. My youngest cousin had a doctor's appointment that morning, but afterwards we all went to a really amazing waterfall and then to a glacier. That was super cool. That evening my cousin Victoria had a concert with some of her classmates where she played the guitar, and I really enjoyed that as well. On the way home we all got some ice cream. (Båtis is my favorite, by the way.)
Anyway, on Wednesday we went to my aunt's parents' house for dinner, Friday we had a celebration for Heather and Julian, and then on Sunday we had a birthday party for my uncle that everyone was invited to. Throughout the week we also took a couple of trips to Førde to shop, and that was pretty fun as well. On the last day of our trip, my mom and I went with my aunt and Yosan to Florø because she needed to renew her permit to live in Norway with my family. <3 While we were there we decided to take a short walk to see the ocean which was nice. For lunch we ate a lot of delicious pizza, then we headed back home. Later that night my aunt and I went on a hike with Chessie (dog). I should probably clarify that during the time we were in Norway the sun didn't actually go down until midnight and rose again within a couple of hours. So, technically it wasn't night, but it was after 9 pm. It had been raining a lot the last few days, so I probably should have worn sturdier shoes considering the ground was wet, but I'm still very glad I went. I needed to enjoy the scenery and use my legs while I was still in this beautiful country and before I would be stuck sitting on a plane for hours on end. In the morning we all said our goodbyes and we went on our way. <3
Here are some pictures:
Reflection: After every trip I go on I like to look back and think about what I have learned from my experience. Going to Norway has brought me a deeper appreciation for my family and the natural world around me. These are things we so easily take for granted, but it's a very special thing to share life with others and to enjoy the nature that happens around us. There is so much beauty around us, and this trip has reminded me to take it all in while I still have that opportunity. We are alive now. Don't let it go to waste. <3
-Allie
