guess what? i'm in minnesota!

Well, I have been home now for about 2 weeks and it recently had been brought to my attention that I forgot to finish up my blog and let people know I was leaving Norway...sorry! Well, my last few days in Bergen were great- lots of laughs, friends, and a few tears when saying goodbye. I balled my eyes out leaving Alrek- I couldn't help it once I saw a giant tear rolling down Kien's cheek.

Now that I am back in Minnesota, it is back to reality. No hiking, no adventures, no Norway. But every good thing has to come to an end, and I am extremely thankful for the experience I had living in Norway for 2 months.  The memories I have now will be with me forever- amazing mountains and waterfalls, the feel of hiking a mountain I didn't think I could, the gift of so many new friendships and the growth of deeper friendships with old friends.  I grew to love Norway, especially Bergen- despite the rain, how expensive everything was, and the rude pushy people in the grocery store! I loved that everything was new to me- the people, language, food, culture, scenery. 

But it is good to be back.  I am happy to family again.  It's good to be back to my tiny little room in my tiny little apartment with wonderful roommates.  It's nice to see friends and classmates at school and to know that I am almost done with my dental hygiene education at the U. It's great to be back to Bethlehem. I am thankful for email and facebook, I can keep in touch so much easier with my Norwegian friends and I am thankful they are only a flight away and they all promised to visit me one day!

norway in a nutshell

After a late night of traveling for my dad, we woke up early Thursday morning to take in all the sights of mountains, fjords, and waterfalls. We walked to the train station and boarded the train to Myrdal. It was about a 2 hour ride until we reached the Flam Railway. The train went through lots of tunnels as it zoomed through the mountains. We got on the small, buy cozy Flam Railway that took us to the city of Flam. The train made a few stops at scenic points to take pictures of an amazing waterfall and lots of great scenery. Met a nice couple from Wisconsin on the train that had been riding it back and forth all day, obsessed with getting pictures along the way. Once we reached the town of Flam, we had a nice picnic lunch and walked around a bit to stretch out our legs and get fresh air. Next, we boarded a boat to cruise for 2 hours to see the most famous fjords in Norway. It was nice and sunny out, but a little windy on the boat. We got chased by a gang of sea gulls as well that came too close to comfort to me- it missed pooping on me by 1/2 and inch, eek! Enjoyed the scenery- lots of trees, mountains, waterfalls, beautiful colors of the water, sheep farms, blue skies, and steep cliffs. Dad and I chatted the whole way- talking about movies and playing some cards inside the boat to warm up with hot chocolate. After the fjord cruise, we boarded a bus to drive back to Voss. We drove down the steepest, windy road ever! I thought we were going to tumble down the side of the mountain a few times, good thing we had a very talented bus driver! Dad sat right behind the driver and leaned over his shoulder to take pictures and gasp at the steep turns he was making! I sat by a nice lady from Canada and we talked for the whole hour about the healthcare systems in the US and Canada- I really enjoyed it! After reaching Voss, we went for a walk and Dad made us get eggrolls because he had been craving one. So, he flies all the way across the ocean to Norway and wants Chinese food! After a delicious egg roll, we got on the train back to Bergen and nodded off for the ride home. Even though we sat all day, we were exhausted! Our brains must have been tired from seeing so much! Walked back to my place and crashed! What a great day!

scott smith: world traveler!

My dad arrived in Bergen late yesterday night! After a 3 hour delay leaving Minneapolis due to mechanical maintenance on the plane, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Europe! The delay resulted in missing the connecting flight from Amsterdam to Bergen, but it didn't stop him from making the most of his day. He ended up having enough time in Amsterdam to take a train into the city center to walk around and see some sights. I think it is awesome he took advantage of what could have been a long time traveling to explore Amsterdam and enjoy a beer and the sunshine! He flew into Bergen around 11 pm and my friend, Andreas, and I picked him up at the airport! I was so so so happy to see my dad (and that his luggage arrived with him as well)! We drove back to my place and I showed my dad a beautiful view of the city from the roof. Then off to bed because the next day at big adventures in store! Above are a few pictures my dad took while he walked around Amsterdam- see all the bridges, waterways, and neat buildings? What a great photographer!

God Syttende Mai!!!

Had a wonderful Sunday celebrating Norway's constitution day. Woke up early (way too early) and headed to the dental school for breakfast. After, we walked to town following hundreds of people in their bunads (national costume) to find a spot to watch the parade. The parade was filled with bands, schools, organizations, and clubs. I have never seen so many bunads or Bergen so busy with people! We watched the parade for a few hours and then decided to head back home and change before lunch. There were 2 official parades happening, but it seemed like every street was crowded with a parade, we ended up crossing over 5 streets of parades and running through them to cross! It was so packed!

We walked back to Alrek to change and then walked to Elise's apartment where she made us the traditional lunch of Runegrot (sour cream porridge) and flat bread with meat. We enjoyed the cheesecake we had made previously and relaxed for a few hours since we were all so tired from staying up late and waking up early. We made the trek back to Alrek and then met up with Hilde to go to Gunhild's house. Gunhild invited us over in the evening to continue the celebration! We drank wine and chatted with her guests and then enjoyed another traditional dinner of salmon, potatoes, spinach, and tomatoes. We had an ice cream dessert as well with raisans and nuts. It was a wonderful meal and we had great conversation! Her guests kept asking us tons and tons of questions about the United States! After dinner, we headed out to the terrace to watch fireworks. What a great evening!

This morning, Karin & I gave 2 presentations at an International School. The first presentation was to a group of 4th and 5th graders. They were so smart and asked really good questions! Our second presentation was to a kindergarten class of 5 year olds. They were adorable! We had a great time sharing our knowledge with them! 

another wonderful week!

Spent this week back in clinic! It has been great weather in Bergen so Karin and I have been spending our free time on walks, hikes, and soaking in the sun. We hiked Lovstakken, a mountain in Bergen that we hadn't been to before on Wednesday night with Elise. It is close to Elise's house so afterwards she cooked us fish for dinner! It was wonderful, we ended up watching 2 movies and relaxing the night away. 

On Friday, my class was celebrating their college graduation while I filled my day with visiting a nursing home, seeing a patient in clinic, and a Norwegian lakeside BBQ. That morning, Gunhild, one of our professors, took Karin & I to a nursing home in Bergen as part of the gerodontology lectures she has been teaching to us. We had a nice visit with Par, one of the stars of the movie Gunhild made about geriatric dentistry. Although he didn't speak English, we had so much fun with him. We brought him flowers and he told us about how he was going to spend the afternoon sitting in the sun drinking Hansa (the beer brewed in Bergen) while his wife shopped for the weekend, what a great guy! The nursing home was very nice, every nursing home is public and free to those who wish to live there, they also receive free dental services- everything covered including dentures or prostheses. Everyone there was very nice, they gave us coffee and waffles and we watched as some young children came to visit and sing for the residents. Afterwards we visited the small dental office they have housed in the nursing home for the residents.

After my afternoon clinic, I walked to Elise's apartment and we went for a nice walk around a nearby lake to enjoy the nice sunny weather. Karin went to the city to meet her boyfriend, Derc, who flew into Bergen to visit. Elise & I met up with 3 other girls from the Hygiene Program- Maria, Carina, and Cecilia. Carina & Cecilia are coming to Minnesota this fall as exchange students in our program. We drove to a small lake to have a BBQ. The lake was surrounded by other people enjoying the nice evening, some kids, tons of Russ kids (the graduates in red and blue pants), and a group of swimmers! We enjoyed our dinner and shared some leftovers with some ducks nearby. We also had a great show while cooking- all the swimming men just stripped down and put on their wet suits, we couldn't believe it! It was definitely dinner and a show! Afterwards, Carina & Cecilia came over for dessert to Elise's apartment. Carina, Elise & I ended up watching a movie and I stayed at Elise's for the night. 

I met up with Cecilia today to hike Ulriken because she had never been to the top. It was a great day for hiking, half way up we ran into Karin & Derc on their way down and as they approached I saw a sparkly ring on Karin's hand!!!! Derc proposed to her while they were hiking her favorite mountain! It was so so so so fun to see them and congratulate them both! Cecilia and I continued on our hike as they looked for a place to grill. Later we joined them for sausages on the mountain. Karin & Derc are now on their way to Floyen and I am resting before more adventures! 

Tonight is the Eurovision contest- it is like American Idol but the competing singers are from different European countries. Of course I am rooting for Alexander Rybek from Norway! We are going to watch the competition at our friend, Kristin's apartment and then go out for a night on the town! It is the day before the 17th of May so everyone will be out tonight. Tomorrow we are waking up early for breakfast at the dental school before heading to the parade in the city. Everyone will be dressed in their bunads (national costume) for Norway's constitution day. We will watch the parade, eat lots of ice cream, and go for lunch to Elise's apartment for the classic Runegrot porridge! Elise and I made a cheesecake last night for us to eat on the 17th! Then we are going to Gunhild's place to continue the celebration into the night! It is going to be a great weekend!!!

God 17 Mai!!!