Christmas in Norway

After my visit with Turid and Johan in Oslo, we took the train around the southern tip of Norway to a town called Bryne, which is south of Stavanger, on the western coast of Norway. We stayed with Turid's parents, whose house is technically outside of the town, but within easy walking distance. We have since spent the christmas holidays eating traditional norwegian food, doing day hikes to show me the land as well as to demonstrate the Norwegian obsession with outdoor activities, and other christmas traditions!

Below is a picture of Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock. It is located 604 meters above the fjord below. Of course, it was so foggy that we couldn't actually see the water next to us, so I have also included a picuture of what it is actually supposed to look at. The hike was fantastic too, because as it was December 21, there was hardly any people on the trail.






Below is a picture of Myself, Turid and Johan at the beach near Turid's Parents' house. Because of the jet stream it usually does not snow in this area in the winter, but apparently this christmas has been unseasonably warm! I am thankful, but somewhat sad that I didn't get to do any skiing in the hills north of where we were staying. I still haven't seen any snow, so I guess I will have to wait until I get back to Canada for that.



I have been trying mostly all new foods while I have been here: Gome (boiled milk pudding) sour cream porridge, rice porridge (warm), rice cream (cold), fish balls, Norwegian meat balls, salted and steamed lamb chops, Gløgg, sweet buns (with custard in the middle), komle (potato balls), and assorted yummy christmas cookies. Also, new traditions, such as the 'regular' norwegian breakfast, which consists of (usually) brown bread, topped with an assortment of things: margerine, brunost, other cheese, cold sausage, cold cured lamb, egg... whatever you like.

The christmas excitements started on the eve of christmas eve, when we set up the Christmas tree, and had a group of family members over for desserts and coffee. I don't speak Norwegian, but it was entertaining, and I also had some knitting to keep me entertained. The next morning, we got up, had a regular breakfast, and watched a norwegian tv tradition of the cinderella story performed in czech, yet narrated in norwegian. Nobody seemed to be able to explain this strange tradition. I then got to be creative when making a marzipan pig which was the prize for the next event: Rice pudding, creamy and hot, served with cinnamon, raisins, and sugar as you like. The catch was that an almond was placed at the bottom of the bowl before the pudding was put in, so whomever discovered the almond, won the pig! Turid's father, Arvid, won it.



By this point it was about 3pm and we got ready to go to the christmas eve church service. The service was in norwegian, but I understood the gist of what was going on, aided by whispered translations. We then returned home and were joined by Turid's grandfather and uncle for a full turkey dinner. Okay, the turkey isn't quite traditional norwegian christmas food, but they like it, so they serve it. I was happy. :)

After dinner, we watched a classic norwegian stop-animation film called (in english) 'Pinchcliff Grand Prix'. They normally watch this movie every year, but they turned on the english subtitles for my benefit and their amusement. Following the movie, coffee and dessert made an appearance. Dessert was rice cream: the cold leftovers of the rice porridge from earlier in the day mixed with whipped cream and served with either raspberry or strawberry compote. It was really good.

After that deliciousness, we opened presents! One at a time, of course, so everyone could see what was given and recieved. I was very generously given a book that claims to describe norwegian culture, illustrated with hilarious drawings and mostly narrated in english, as well as hand made (by Turid's mother, Helga) wool socks, and a calendar of photos of Norway. Photo below.


We had more coffee and cookies afterwards and I read my book late into the evening. I regretted staying up so late the next morning when I had to get up at 9:30 for a family breakfast before we headed off to church again for a longer christmas day service. The rest of Christmas day was rather low-key with a phone call to Dad and Sam, more reading, and a long walk.

It has been a lovely christmas filled with new traditions to learn, beautiful (if sometimes foggy) landscape to see, and yummy food to eat. That, in itself, has been the best gift I got for christmas this year.

Tomorrow, Turid, Johan and I are heading to London, England for New Years!! After that, the plan is to come back to Toronto for some visiting.. I am becoming aware that my european vacation is coming to a close very soon! It's hard to believe that it has been almost four months now.