My last month in Norway

The russ celebraton (which I was writing about in my previous blog entry) lasted until 17th May, Norway's constitution day. Most people wear the national dress, the bunad, on this occasion. The bunad varies in appearance from region to region and the magnificent sight of national costumes from all over the country is one of the reasons why this day truly represents a celebration of Norwegian tradition and history. You can see Norwegian flags and ribbons everywhere. On houses, in children's hands, pinned on their cloths, and even on dogs! The following pictures were taken in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo.















































My last days in Oslo had arrived. In a case like this, you are desperately trying to use the last minutes, visit all the places you have not visited before, spend time with people you are afraid to lose, and so. Therefore together with two friends, I went to see Bygdøy, a peninsula in Oslofjord. It has several museums, parks, forests and beaches, a piece of nature close to the city centre.












I have spent almost 4 months in the Norwegian capital. I remember, after my first visit in Oslo, I thought I would not like to live in a city like this. It was not inspiring for me, it looked boring and too big. Finally I moved there, and now I'm even missing it. A lot!

By writing this blog entry, I have controversial feelings, because I am reminded of all those nice moments I had in this country, but at the same time I know, that I'm closing a chapter of my life too. However I think and hope, that one day I will get the chance to go back to Norway and explore other parts of this wonderful country. Vi ses!

April and the Russ celebration

 










Here comes the next entry of my stay in Norway. It has been really long time since I wrote here, but many things have happened in these past months. I had to move back to Denmark, and actually my things are just getting organized now, so I can spare some time occasionally to update this blog.

So, back in april, the snow has disappeared, and the warmer days has arrived with longer day time. After the cold and dark winter, it was evident not to stay in the room, but go out for a walk, take some pictures and enjoy the weather.
The usual place, the opera house, but in a different lighting situation.

There is a Norwegian tradition, called 'Russefeiring', which is a kind of ceremony of the highschool graduation. Last year students (russ) are wearing overalls in specific colors, reflecting their area of study. As you can see on the pictures the red uniforms (rødruss) are the most common, which is worn by those who had general studies. This celebration happens in the end of April and beginning of May, right before their final exams. During these weeks they get different assignments to do which are often realted with drinking and having sex or doing embarassing things in public. /You can read more about this on Wikipedia/






























And here are some more, taken on the streets of Oslo, which I thought worth to upload.





There's only one episode left: May. Hopefully coming soon.

The trip to Tromsø (part 3)

On the morning of leaving the town, we had a surprisingly beautiful weather. The fog has retreated and the snowy mountains has appeared on the horizon. We did not even know how the environment looked like during those days we spent there. But finally everything worked out, first the Aurora and then the landscape. So here are some panoramas I took fast before we left.





After taking these last pictures we went out of the island, to start hitch-hiking again :)
The clouds came back, and wind has tried to make our job harder. And I probably don't even have to say that it was very cold of course. We had to split up into two groups (me alone). Our goal was Narvik, about 250 km. We had to be fast, because after darkness, it is almost impossible to catch a car. Who would stop for some dark shadows standing next to the road... And the night still falls quicly in March in the north.
While my friends had luck a bit earlier then me, I could catch my first car in the early afternoon. Finally we did not make it Narvik, and met again on the bus 50 km from Narvik, after my 4th car put me down near Gratangen.
In Narvik we had a place to sleep, which we found on couchsurfing at a very nice person (NARVIKING), who hosted us for 3 nights. (If you are planning to visit Narvik, and you are part of cousurfing, I can absolutely recommend him).

So here are some pictures from our stay:


































But those days passed by quickly. As the hitching was not that easy as in the south, we did not want to risk missing our train, so we took the bus till Fauske (with student discount it was not that bad, as it included the ferry between Bognes and Skarberget).
























After 9 days of travelling we arrived back to Oslo on 10th May. Thinking back to the trip, it was a bit tough, a bit crazy but with full of experiences. Totally worthed it!

The trip to Tromsø (part 2)

So after two tough days of hitch-hiking, we have finally arrived to Tromsø. Although the weather was terrible and snowing heavily most of the time, I could catch some seconds when it was possible to take some shots.
Here you can see the Arctic Cathedral with the bridge where you get to the island.









Here are some pictures which can give an idea about the situation:

























Some photos of the city:









































































Then Tromsø from the bridge and from the top of the nearby mountain:













 
And for the end of this post... My first photos in my life of Aurora Borealis. It was taken just a few days after the first time I could see her.
I travelled 1600 km from Oslo to Tromsø, hoping to finally see the wonderful lights of the North. I spent there 3 days in March, and although it was totally cloudy those days, last night the clouds opened up for me, so I even got the chance to take a picture of her.
I know these are not the best shots, but they are mine. I took them. And I am very happy to say this :)