tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56946579459574193682024-03-21T21:52:43.526-07:00Checking the MapAudreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-45467083461272985572015-06-16T12:34:00.000-07:002015-06-16T12:34:20.783-07:007S: Stuart RanchAfter making plans several weeks in advance, we finally made it to Waurika, Oklahoma, to spend time with our friends! <br />
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Clay, a pledge brother of Jeff's, his wife Lindsey and their son Arlington live on <a href="http://www.stuartranch.com/" target="_blank">Stuart Ranch</a> along with Clay's mother Terry (the Ranch Manager) and Clay's brother Robert (the ranch's Head Horse Trainer). Clay also works on the ranch as head of <a href="http://www.stuartranchoutfitters.com/" target="_blank">Stuart Ranch Outfitters</a>. <br />
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Now you can see why plans were made so far ahead - this family is busy!<br />
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I felt a bit like a tourist, wandering around the barns with my camera, but I didn't want to miss any of Britton's reactions to all the animals - mares, foals, and ponies, cows and dogs! She really got into practicing her animal noises too.<br />
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Robert and Terry were working out some horses in the arena, and they didn't mind us dropping by. Terry sat little Arlington on the saddle with her as we watched a team roping exercise. You can tell he's pretty comfortable up there.<br />
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Britton was more content on the rungs of the fence and enjoyed seeing the horses burst from the gates.<br />
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Jeff even got some roping practice in, and I had fun riding Batman for a few minutes.<br />
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When we weren't watching the horses, we were playing outside in the pool or looking for tiny frogs.<br />
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On our last day, Clay drove us to an area of land that will be the site of their new house. I think Britton was a little confused about why we were sitting so high. She actually did enjoy the ride! And we all made sure to get a few more snuggles in with Arlington.<br />
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It so rejuvenating getting away for a weekend and being with good friends. Before our visit, I would never have thought myself capable of living in a rural area. But something about all that openness I felt while standing on their back porch with nothing but pasture, ponds, and a distant tree line... it would be hard to resist.<br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-64736274899951524292015-06-05T21:19:00.003-07:002015-06-07T12:22:47.864-07:00Creating Habits: Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I strive to create healthy habits for me and my family. With a little one, sometimes it's hard to see the impact of all that effort. One goal (of thousands?) I've had for Britton is to create a love of reading. Part of our bedtime ritual since she was consistently sleeping through the night has been to read at least two books before turning off the light. </div>
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Amidst her other toys was always a board book or a soft book she could get her hands on. </div>
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She even started to act excited over particular books or even certain pages in books. It was incredible to see this spark of recognition! For a while, she loved Little Red Riding Hood and an illustrated book of poems.</div>
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Everyone enjoys reading to a baby! </div>
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Books also became one of the easiest ways to distract her when we were in a new place. Familiar books would put her at ease and keep her engaged.</div>
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I knew this activity was becoming a habit when she started seeking books out on her own. She has also learned that we will drop just about anything we are doing if she brings us a book (versus just whining at us for attention). </div>
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We have made frequent trips to the local library, though I think she likes pulling books off the shelves and the play area a little better than actually picking out books.<br />
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At around 14 months, she started to point out familiar pictures, and we used the books to familiarize her with items she wouldn't see otherwise (monkeys!). Not only were books entertaining but she was also learning from them too! <br />
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As parents, our goals are constantly evolving. I remember when I couldn't wait for the day she would learn to sit on her own. Or sign "all done" instead of throwing her food. I wouldn't say I've achieved my goal of creating a habit of reading - it's not a skill but a passion that I will encourage every chance I get. I think we are going in the right direction!</div>
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Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-41797974918299171062015-05-30T12:43:00.003-07:002015-05-30T12:43:56.983-07:00A Long Hiatus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whew. Has it really almost been two years since my last post? The whirlwind of moving back to the states while 7.5 months pregnant, welcoming our baby girl (Britton!) into our lives, and experiencing the first year of motherhood forced me to prioritize what I did in my free time and this blog was pushed to the proverbial back burner. Also, I wasn't sure if anyone would really be interested in the goings-on of a stay-at-home mom that isn't traipsing around Europe or hiking along the fjords. <br />
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A few months ago, I read this poem. I was listening to a random podcast interview of a poet I had never heard of (not because she isn't famous - I'm just not an avid reader of poetry). This poem was read aloud during the podcast and has stuck with me. Not just because it encourages mindfulness, stillness, and curiosity. Looking at a grasshopper in the middle of a field isn't exciting or particularly noteworthy, but it was intentional. I want to remember the small moments as well as the big. So, whether mundane or adventurous, my goal is to document this one wild and precious life of ours. <br />
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And to read more poetry by Mary Oliver.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-47819352034614256892013-08-11T02:30:00.002-07:002013-08-11T02:30:41.701-07:00Vårlivarden and Skomakarnibbå<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've had quite a few things going on this spring (more on that later!) but we managed to fit a few hikes in when the weather permitted. After our visit home in March, we took advantage of the long Easter weekend by hiking <a href="http://ut.no/tur/v%C3%A5rlivarden-en-gammel-klassiker" target="_blank">Vårlivarden</a>.</div>
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Of course we brought Pistol with us and the usual provisions - Kvik Lunsj bars (aka Kit Kat bars), PBJs, and apples. Hiking this early in the season meant that we had to cross over some ice and the air was brisk, but it was a beautiful day for a hike!</div>
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We had another long weekend in May (Norway has a TON of national holidays in the spring!) so we took some advice from a fellow expat and drove to Hagalid to hike <a href="http://ut.no/tur/skomakarnibb%C3%A5-sagnomsust-turm%C3%A5l-langs-j%C3%B8senfjorden" target="_blank">Skomakarnibbå</a>. A legend of a shoemaker (the hike's namesake) and his death by falling off of the ledge while watching a wedding procession claims that the outcrop will fall into the fjord if seven sisters marry on the same day. </div>
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The hike starts at a farm, and so many sheep greeted us at the beginning - Pistol wasn't sure what to make of them! We made sure not to get too close because a watchful border collie never let us out of his sight.<br />
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This hike goes through woodland, bog, and up cliffs along the 7km trail. </div>
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This hike was fun, but tiring! I was happy to see those sheep again (Pistol... no so much).<br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-85885561454216991812013-08-09T11:40:00.001-07:002013-08-09T12:45:26.538-07:00A Boy and His BikeWe both had high hopes for cycling while in Norway. We even bought two bikes and had them shipped with our other goods. In hindsight, they were not good bikes. Terrible, in fact, compared to the professional ones that everyone seems to have here. Nonetheless, we gave it a good try and <a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.no/2012/03/bike-ride.html" target="_blank">cycled from work one day</a> and even cycled to a monument to a sunken ship call The Broken Chain on the coast near Tasta.<br />
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Jeffrey usually has more energy than I do and this was no exception. Good thing he doesn't mind when we take breaks! </div>
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I shared our experience with Leif Christian, laughing at our naivete regarding all things bicycle related and he saw an opportunity. There is a major cycling even in June of every year in this part of Norway - the North Sea Race - and he offered to help Jeffrey train for it. He even offered his second bike for Jeffrey to ride (thank goodness - the move was rough on Jeff's bike and cut the brake line to the back tires... it also looked like a 12-year old's bike...). Jeffrey is never one to pass up on a new experience and agreed before Leif Christian could even deliver the full proposal. I was also in full support, mainly because there was not a third bike and I could just cheer him on!<br />
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What Jeff didn't realize is that this race is 91 kilometers long! That's 56.5 miles and about 10x longer than any bike ride he'd ever been on before! Leif Christian began the training sessions in April and graciously lent Jeff gloves, jackets, and water bottles (Jeffrey did buy his one cycling shorts). I loved hearing the stories when Jeff would return home of how Leif Christian would reach the top of a grueling hill only to turn around and tell Jeff that he still had a ways to go before cycling to the top again. He prepared Jeff well, though, and last June Jeffrey participated in a the North Sea Race along with thousands of other cyclists!</div>
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I used a map of the route to strategically place myself in spots where Jeff could see me cheer - it was so fun!</div>
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Most of the track is on surface roads and hundreds of volunteers shut down the streets, pass out food and water, and attend to injuries. There are a few places with gravel, though, and with over 10,000 participants there is some danger of losing your balance in crowded areas. Jeffrey actually slid on some gravel, scuffing up his knee. I didn't even notice until he was done - it didn't slow him down at all.<br />
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The picture below was taken at the start of the biggest hill ever. Since I was there, he took this as a good opportunity to hop off and I walked with him to the top. I was definitely not a part of the race, but with all the spectators, life music, and fellow racers giving high-fives and encouragement, it was easy to see why the participants enjoy this race so much.<br />
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And he finished with a great time too! 4 hours and 17 minutes!<br />
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It was over a year ago, but I am still so impressed. He was happy with his accomplishment and said he couldn't have done it without his biggest fan (and Leif Christian, obviously). <br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-1148275433037825312013-05-17T11:52:00.001-07:002013-08-09T10:29:49.319-07:00Zermatt and the Swiss Alps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm definitely a warm-weather-traveller. The cafes, strolling through the streets, and the atmosphere just seems to be better when there's warm sun on my face. But, I've found an exception: the Swiss Alps!</div>
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This trip was a bucket list item for Jeffrey. Not that I wasn't excited, but skiing hasn't been my favorite hobby ever since I was old enough to realize falling hurts. Needless to say, I underestimated just how much I would enjoy this trip - and now it's considered one of our favorites!</div>
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In late February, we flew to Zurich then took a train to <a href="http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/zermatt_matterhorn/destination/zermatt" target="_blank">Zermatt</a>, an alpine village on the border of Switzerland and Italy. The views were amazing from the train, when I could stay awake to take them in.. </div>
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We stayed in a modest hotel, but it really doesn't matter where you stay in the village. The streets are car-free, restaurants and apres-ski bars are all within walking distance, and the best views are from the slopes anyway. Our favorite peak? The Matterhorn, obviously!</div>
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Another great thing about Zermatt is that it gets an average of 300 days of sun per year. Usually this would mean poor snow conditions, but Zermatt experienced record snowfall the weeks leading up to our trip - it seemed like the clouds parted just for us! We took full advantage our first day by taking Gornegrat cogwheel train up the mountain. We were early birds compared to the Europeans, so it felt like we had the whole mountain to ourselves. </div>
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Of course, with this many runs spread across multiple peaks, it never actually felt crowded. I had researched the runs (called "pistes") and learned that Zermatt is considered a haven for intermediate skiers. Most of the runs are red (intermediate) with a few nice blues (easy) and blacks mixed in. The yellow pistes are un-groomed... we avoided these. My favorite area was between Gornegrate and Rothorn because there was so much variety in the runs. We almost never went down the mountain in the same way twice. </div>
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We also took the series of lifts, gondolas, and cable cars to the very top - the Matterhornglacier Paradise - 3,900 meters above sea level. We were literally skiing above the clouds! From here, we skied across the border into Italy, had a delightful lunch of pasta and wine, then skied back into Switzerland.<br />
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Speaking of food, we didn't have one bad meal during our entire holiday. We indulged in quite a range of culinary treats - soups, lamb, curries, ribs, wine, truffles and fondue - just to name a few. Though expensive, the food really was quality and you can't beat those views.<br />
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We were wiped out by mid-afternoon so after a quick stop at apres-ski (our favorite had live music playing American rock-n-roll), we would rest and then explore the village. I had read some reviews that described Zermatt as the Manhattan of the Alps... I disagree. Yes, there are new developments, but Zermatt has definitely held on to its charm. There are even old areas of the village that still have structures that were built over 300 years ago. In the winter, livestock would stay on the first floor help heat the upper floors - whatever works I guess!<br />
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We wanted to do as much sightseeing as we could, so we scheduled our return flight late in the evening and took an early train out of Zermatt so we could stop in Lucerne for the afternoon. This was my second time to Lucerne, and I had to assure Jeffrey that there were mountains beyond the lake... We enjoyed our time in this pretty city, but we definitely want to come back (and explore more of Switzerland) in the summer!</div>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-81964304138773937302013-05-07T13:31:00.001-07:002013-05-07T13:31:30.268-07:00Life is HappeningI'm still here! The hiatus was unintentional, but not surprising when looking back on the last few months... <br />
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While on our vacation in Switzerland mid-February, Jeffrey's maternal grandfather passed away. Though not unexpected, we were hoping that we'd be able to see him during our first trip home coming up in mid-March. Jeffrey was able to make it to the funeral, leaving the day after we returned from the Alps, and two weeks later we made the trip home. It was so fun seeing family and being in Oklahoma after almost a year and a half. And while Grandpa Young was missed, we enjoyed spending some quality time with Grandma Young.<br />
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We talked about their farm, how Jeffrey and Grandpa raised pigs one summer, and how much she loved the house he had built. We enjoyed hearing her reminisce with a smile on her face, remembering details of 15 years ago almost better than those 15 minutes ago. But my heart still aches when she told us how much she missed him. After nearly 60 years together, their lives were so intertwined that she couldn't accept the fact they weren't together anymore. Six weeks after his passing, Grandma Young joined him. Being so far away during times of loss are incredibly hard, but I find comfort in the belief that they have each other again and it reminds me that each moment we have with those we love is special and fleeting.<br />
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And what better way to hold on to those fleeting moments than to write them down and share them with others.<br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-83914671082531463392013-02-06T12:29:00.003-08:002013-02-06T12:40:36.310-08:00UT.no - Hiking Made Easy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our appreciation for the outdoors has reached new levels since living in Norway. We may still be a little particular about the weather (our Norwegian friends don't let a drenching rain or gale-force winds keep them inside), but when it's sunny you can bet that Jeffrey and I are looking for a new area to explore.</div>
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Enter: <a href="http://UT.no/">UT.no</a> a one-stop shop for all of our hiking inspiration. The site also added the translation functionality so it's even easier to use! I usually just go over to the map, make sure Turforslag is checked and peruse the options. The little flags take you to information on that particular hike like its difficulty, how to get there, and what you'll see along the way. </div>
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I just love maps.</div>
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On new year's day, <a href="http://ut.no/tur/branndalsvatnet-spennende-rundtur" target="_blank">this hike</a> caught my eye. So Jeffrey and I packed up the dog, some snacks, and headed for Egersund. </div>
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One thing to remember while hiking in January - the sun sets at 3PM. So there's really no time to dilly dally. If only we had remembered that when we started.</div>
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Instead, we tried to impress each other with feats of brute strength...</div>
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Or kept looking impossibly fluffy and adorable so many stops HAD to be made for pictures...</div>
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Or just enjoyed the January sun's faint warmth and unusual brightness on our faces so that a long sit on the rocks was not only mandatory but thoroughly enjoyed. Sometimes just a little sunshine can make us (me) feel incredibly happy.<br />
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But, wait! Sundown? How far away is the car? Luckily, I have this guy to guide me.<br />
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Except he led us right into a rushing river.</div>
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Ok, so maybe it wasn't a river. But it was still a formidable obstacle. Good thing I long jumped in high school :) And after a freak hail shower and impending darkness, we made it full circle with enough time to wash Pistol in a little stream before we took off. I'm sure he appreciated that too.<br />
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So, if you're ever in Norway and want to know where to hike, check out UT.no! But good luck finding a guide as cute as mine..</div>
Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-88286693183868614852013-01-29T12:07:00.002-08:002013-01-29T12:07:22.773-08:00The First Ski and Snow of the Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's still unusual for us to take a weekend ski trip. Ski trips for Oklahomans mean 10+ hours of driving, usually overnight so that we don't waste too much of the trip on travel, and then we ski hard for 4-5 days before heading home. These trips have always been fun and memorable, but I could get used to a weekend in the mountains. My favorite part is that I don't feel like I have to exhaust myself skiing because we can just go again the next weekend!</div>
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We recently took the <a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.no/2012/03/sauda-ski-boat.html" target="_blank">Sauda ski boat</a> again and enjoyed a day on the slopes, but our first ski trip of the season was in Roldal. It's about a 4 hour leisurely drive and one ferry away from Stavanger. We happened to drive through a heavy snowfall, but that just made it feel more like we were really in the mountains. Actually, Roldal is known for getting some of the best snow in Norway. We were a little early for the best conditions, but Jeffrey couldn't wait any longer to try out his new skis.</div>
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We stayed at the Marathon apartment with Leif Christian and Therese for the weekend. And while Jeff and Leif Christian enjoyed some skiing...</div>
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I got to hang with this little girl! Therese and I snuggled Sophie, read books, watched Norwegian TV, and were very lazy. A full day of skiing this time of year was from 10-3 since that's when the light is best anyway, so the boys were back to entertain us before long.</div>
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It wasn't too long after our ski trip that Stavanger received its first heavy snow. Jeffrey wasted no time in gathering supplies for a proper snow man. And of course Pistol has to be a part of it! </div>
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It's hard not to enjoy just about anything when I have these two around! </div>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0Røldal, Norway59.832353 6.8210853000000542.687045 -34.48750869999995 76.977661 48.129679300000049tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-75541714363865979822013-01-27T11:57:00.001-08:002013-01-27T11:57:58.366-08:00Celebrate!This winter season has brought many milestones and reasons to celebrate. We've had our anniversary, Christmas, our first trip to Germany, and welcomed a new year. We also had our first company party!<br />
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This may not seem like that big of a deal, but everyone in the office knows each other (versus the Houston tower when I barely knew everyone on my floor). What we discovered, though, was that our coworkers were dancers, comedians, story-tellers, and FUN! All of our favorite people in one place with a live band and open bar? It's what great parties are made of. Getting dressed up is always fun too.</div>
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Jeffrey also celebrated his 27th birthday with a surprise dinner at his favorite Indian food restaurant in the sentrum. It's been quite a year for him! He's changed positions, moved to a foreign country, learned a few Norwegian words, and has visited 10 new countries! It's been fun to be on this ride with him.</div>
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Of course, it wouldn't be a great birthday without gifts to open from home. Who knew he'd be so excited for deodorant, cereal, tums, and pink lemonade (the Reese's were mine, but I'll share). It's the little things.</div>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-32118192682622211642013-01-17T12:38:00.000-08:002013-01-18T08:33:51.001-08:00Hibernating after the Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi friends! It has been cold the past month. The kind of cold that makes you just want to snuggle under the blankets on the comfy spot of the couch with your love and your pup and watch hours of West Wing or anything else you haven't watched on Netflix (I'm looking at you Downton Abbey). </div>
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Not that we've been completely lazy! We still had to go to work for a few days in December. Walking to and from our car gave us a glimpse into our golden years as we clung to each other for dear life to prevent falling in the icy streets. Snow this early was rare for Stavanger, but it was all gone when we returned from Germany.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of our office in Hinna.</td></tr>
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Yes, Germany! See, we weren't completely lazy. We even made enough time to snap a few pictures in front of the Christmas tree boat on our way to the airport. I already miss seeing this little boat of cheer in the harbor.</div>
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Not only was I excited to visit a new country, but I was especially excited because my brother would be traveling through Germany with us. I hadn't seen him in 11 months and it sure felt good to hug him again! <br />
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I loved living vicariously through his stories from the last year in college and he reaped the benefits of my new tour guide skills as we train-hopped from Berlin...</div>
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to Dresden...</div>
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Nuremberg...</div>
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Hohenschwangau... </div>
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and Munich! Between the Christmas markets, gluwein, wursts, and weissbier I'm just glad I had a good excuse to wear a big puffy coat around every day. We definitely indulged in all Germany had to offer.<br />
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Though Jeffrey and I have been fortunate to see so much of Europe over the last year, nothing can ever really replace going home for Christmas. There was some comfort in knowing that my grandparent's house would still be covered in Christmas decorations that I first remember seeing as a little girl and my dad would be running around town dressed as Santa. But it was hard saying goodbye to my brother on Christmas Eve knowing that he would be home and Mom would be finishing up the fried shrimps, oysters, and clam chowder. Mimi would be having her fourth plate of caviar and Papa would be sitting by the fire talking to Justin and Dad. Where's my sister? She'd probably be cuddled up in the rocking chair with her new little one while big sister holds his hand, willing his eyes to peek open at her.<br />
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There really is nothing like family at Christmas. We can't wait to share the next one with all of them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious niece and nephew</td></tr>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-49967547912910446602012-12-11T12:42:00.001-08:002012-12-11T12:47:22.357-08:00In Norway for the HolidaysJeffrey and I have really enjoyed learning about some the Norwegian holiday season. Of the many traditions, the food has to be one of the most unique. The grocery stores here are filled with Christmas or "jule" food and drink like:<br />
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<li>Pepperkaker - a gingerbread-type cookie in fun little shapes. They are supposed to be easy to make at home, but the store-bought ones are so tasty.</li>
<li>Julebrus - Christmas soda! The bottles are decorated with Santa and reindeer. There are two kinds that I've seen - brown and red - but the ones in the glass bottles are the best. I also mistakenly bought sugar-free julebrus... it was a sad day in the Burro house...</li>
<li>Juleøl - it seems like every brewery has a Christmas beer.</li>
<li>Pinnekjøtt - re-hydrated, salty pieces of lamb rib. Not my fave, but our Norwegian friends love it. </li>
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And the list goes on. One of our more memorable experiences was dinner coordinated by good friends at City Bistro in Stavanger. This restaurant wasn't chosen just by chance. It is actually one of the few and best places to eat Lutefisk and Smalahove, so of course we ordered one of each. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wondering what's on Jeff's plate?</td></tr>
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I got a little worried when the waitress brought out four shots of Aquavit without even asking if we wanted any. We learned that the shots were considered an appetizer before the Smalahove. I kept wondering why Jeff would need this sort of liquid courage... and then his plate was served.</div>
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Smalahove is half a sheep's head. Not just the meat from a sheep's head like I'd imagined (and was still a little repulsed by) but actually a sheep's head. Teeth, tongues, eyeball, cheeks - everything (except the brain)! I'd never seen anything like it. Needless to say, Jeffrey downed those shots pretty quick, and he actually enjoyed his meal. He said the eye was the best. I also ate my Lutefisk and am grateful for the experience, but I don't think I'll be adding steamed fish that's been soaked in lye to my recipe book. </div>
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Since we enjoyed our traditional Norwegian meal, we felt it only appropriate to invite some friends over for Thanksgiving! We should have taken more pictures... but cooking so much food makes for a hectic day. On the menu was turkey (obviously), giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, corn, homemade rolls and two pies - pecan and pumpkin!</div>
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There was almost no room in our tiny dining area for the table, but we made it work. Good thing we all like each other!<br />
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Now, we are getting ready for Christmas. It sure FEELS like Christmas with these sub-freezing temperatures and a few inches of snow. Our neighborhood has put up some garland and the houses have decorations in the windows - it's very festive. I was lamenting that our tree wasn't going to fit in our house and Leif Christian let us borrow their tree once he realized we would enjoy it longer (generally, my Norwegian friends won't decorate until the 23rd or so and everything comes down around the New Year). I'm so happy to have a tree in our living room with our one little strand of lights plugged into a converter and ornaments from our travels. It's actually our first Christmas tree to decorate together since we've been married :)<br />
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We've had much to be thankful for this year, but we are especially thankful for our friends here in Norway that have become our family-away-from-family.</div>
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Happy Holidays!</div>
Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-76148422467528619862012-12-04T13:34:00.003-08:002012-12-04T13:36:31.230-08:00Two Years Ago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do you have a great story when asked "how did you two meet"? It's funny... neither Jeffrey nor I can remember the moment we met. I've come to accept this lame answer to an otherwise fun story-telling opportunity and have actually come to realize the beauty of it - we can't remember because it feels like we always knew each other. Of course there was a time when he was unaware of my existence (what a dark, lonely time it must have been - ha..). Love isn't supposed to have an ending, right? So why should it have a beginning? Love just is. And, man, do I sure love him!</div>
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Fortunately, we have a few other good stories to share! For example..</div>
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He asked me to marry him on Bow Bridge in Central Park on New Year's Day 2010. It was freezing and I did not wear proper shoes (I thought we were just walking through the park on the way to dinner!), but our dear friends hiked all over the park to follow us and take pictures. I couldn't stop smiling...</div>
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Until I started crying (cue ugly sob face)... </div>
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We were married on December 4, 2010, in a beautiful Tulsa, OK cathedral. </div>
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And we were surrounded by so many people that love us as much as we love them.<br />
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So, we may not remember the moment we met, but I'll remember these moments forever. Especially that smile when he first saw me in my dress.</div>
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Happy Anniversary Jeffrey!</div>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-66412130844838905452012-11-08T12:14:00.001-08:002012-11-09T01:57:00.587-08:00Krakow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This trip was kind of planned spur of the moment (at least compared to our trips to <a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.no/2012/10/a-greek-adventure.html" target="_blank">Greece</a> and <a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.no/2012/08/praha-and-wien.html" target="_blank">Prague/Vienna</a> which were planned months in advance). Like I said in <a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.no/2012/11/learning-from-auschwitz.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>, our main motivation for visiting Krakow was to see Auschwitz, but this beautiful city exceeded our expectations!</div>
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We really enjoyed the location of our <a href="http://www.hotelsenacki.pl/" target="_blank">hotel</a> because it was within easy walking distance to the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz) and right in the middle of the Old Town. Plus, our room was so cozy! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxbKmJMvmW3kXkCVimDEN6sCJVW2R-FNDhRFcgjN-ILuPg5cqiS6XvQsgaWjIrTThJuAGSNAAoipXcTBa6Z-3V8SYFr6BTCLyKXNO6b5lgDgt7N-__OqRWGmFEBXPYUmt4BCXCWmmcFS8/s1600/IMG_6825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxbKmJMvmW3kXkCVimDEN6sCJVW2R-FNDhRFcgjN-ILuPg5cqiS6XvQsgaWjIrTThJuAGSNAAoipXcTBa6Z-3V8SYFr6BTCLyKXNO6b5lgDgt7N-__OqRWGmFEBXPYUmt4BCXCWmmcFS8/s640/IMG_6825.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room at Hotel Senacki</td></tr>
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We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon and enjoyed our first stroll through Krakow's Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny) on our way to lunch. This square is enormous! And even though the high-season for tourists was pretty much over, there was still a lot of activity - wreath and flower stalls, pigeons, and vendors selling obwarzanek (yummy!). I'll admit, I had to look up the spelling of that one... but no research necessary to know if it's worth tasting - just don't call it a <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703794104575545843564259642.html" target="_blank">bagel</a>...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing in Rynek Glowny with St. Mary's Basilica in the background</td></tr>
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After lunch, we took a tram to Kazimierz. It was close enough for a walk, but it's always fun to try out a city's public transportation (unless it's smelly... but this wasn't). Before WWII, the Jewish population totaled around 65,000 and primarily lived in this area. Sadly, only a few thousand survived the war, and now Krakow only has about 200 Jewish residents. Before the war, though, this community thrived. Thanks to its many synagogues, traditional restaurants, an incredible museum and a popular movie, the Jewish spirit is still intact.<br />
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We walked around the neighborhood and wandered across the Vistula River to Podgorze, the site of Krakow's ghetto and Schindler's Factory Museum. Ghetto Heroes Square, right in the middle of Podgorze, has a monument consisting of several empty metal chairs. The Jews were rounded up from the ghetto, leaving everything behind to sit and wait here for transport to death camps. Just down the street from here is Schindler's Factory - now, an amazing museum.</div>
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On top of describing the inspiring story of Oskar Schindler, the museum is an interactive timeline of Krakovian life during the events leading up to and during WWII. It has all of these touch screens if I wanted to learn more about a particular topic and different themed rooms (the German invasion, a 1940's tram car, life in the ghetto etc). My favorite room was the Room of Choices. The rotunda's cement walls are covered in real-life accounts of people that were opposed to the evil all around them and chose to help. It reminded me that we are the choices we make. </div>
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This one was a favorite. There's no doubt in my mind that my siblings would have done the same for each other.</div>
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We ended the day walking through the drizzle, contemplating the history lesson we just had and preparing for the day ahead of us at Auschwitz. <br />
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The day after our trip to Oswiecim, we wandered around the Old Town. We strolled through the Planty...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzW-wrAxPbwqakxRPdPN9ENssfbXUq19iqN36NwJdaJjIRUHIE_t6NpdCpvXa8lpRcmPfkVgRdQ6aBGhQuA7NSUfCVhsRXJadjQnZjmvEmdNmWq5vHi_M4QgP3UnhiOvfZG19dXxQNIun/s1600/IMG_7029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzW-wrAxPbwqakxRPdPN9ENssfbXUq19iqN36NwJdaJjIRUHIE_t6NpdCpvXa8lpRcmPfkVgRdQ6aBGhQuA7NSUfCVhsRXJadjQnZjmvEmdNmWq5vHi_M4QgP3UnhiOvfZG19dXxQNIun/s640/IMG_7029.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Reminisced about college life at Jagiellonian University (Copernicus and Pope John Paul II studied here!) ...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jagiellonian University's beautiful courtyard</td></tr>
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Played knights versus dragons outside the old city walls...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4d8Vfc1NyB3MTBcqjpFWrIn2UrjH-E5p4yrEI8xTQlhQHIhyIHISbZ7qtX_VdEPoqG21HE3X32uQ-lJWw3Lvm18OhE4himb5lub0LBhhogqOVip6RpcY9FsA9ST2gTLWfYjkuB_gqQAe/s1600/IMG_7063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4d8Vfc1NyB3MTBcqjpFWrIn2UrjH-E5p4yrEI8xTQlhQHIhyIHISbZ7qtX_VdEPoqG21HE3X32uQ-lJWw3Lvm18OhE4himb5lub0LBhhogqOVip6RpcY9FsA9ST2gTLWfYjkuB_gqQAe/s640/IMG_7063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florian's Gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krakow's Barbakan</td></tr>
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And pretended to be princesses that lived in a castle (okay, maybe that was just me)...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKU39WF27IHqiLnaKYsg4ofQCFOFPyqxQaxeEcr9EkafRzfKf6PdOsqzyUmMyWpx_woAkn7kD9xGbDa_PmV9nseur7wmvrKhDuSkOjLLNUzLFQyq0G1LamN3Nf3Ot0VDlXRapF6b9YzZQQ/s1600/IMG_7115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKU39WF27IHqiLnaKYsg4ofQCFOFPyqxQaxeEcr9EkafRzfKf6PdOsqzyUmMyWpx_woAkn7kD9xGbDa_PmV9nseur7wmvrKhDuSkOjLLNUzLFQyq0G1LamN3Nf3Ot0VDlXRapF6b9YzZQQ/s640/IMG_7115.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking into the Wawel Castle grounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqLrb4ULnE4zGUgom8uHAdk5le_SoJ6dJcFKFHf1-niW20wW89O4C1_ZGi5_5JyI8isG7sL2Cpi_d4FNNwdGJSI6QbE-aEMpYfoPaUBl2KIlmmqKel7qImLc_24KnMfp-5YB5cOaOx_y5/s1600/IMG_7148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqLrb4ULnE4zGUgom8uHAdk5le_SoJ6dJcFKFHf1-niW20wW89O4C1_ZGi5_5JyI8isG7sL2Cpi_d4FNNwdGJSI6QbE-aEMpYfoPaUBl2KIlmmqKel7qImLc_24KnMfp-5YB5cOaOx_y5/s640/IMG_7148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wawel's courtyard</td></tr>
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One of my favorite sites of the Wawel Castle grounds was the cathedral. I know nothing about architecture, but it's obvious that this one is made from a dozen different styles... and it just works!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKD18q0NZ8hTawRapnKTf0xFPC04OAGMncScaKyJN_9SbQdKrQtoYokcN3xoL54mDreiH8OUeR0B0JnEqkqdno2dQCpcvRJ-CT4fePOka3z7q4rV26qj_emA8Vv02v8MEePanndoKw1pF/s1600/IMG_7131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKD18q0NZ8hTawRapnKTf0xFPC04OAGMncScaKyJN_9SbQdKrQtoYokcN3xoL54mDreiH8OUeR0B0JnEqkqdno2dQCpcvRJ-CT4fePOka3z7q4rV26qj_emA8Vv02v8MEePanndoKw1pF/s640/IMG_7131.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wawel Cathedral</td></tr>
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Krakow is gorgeous, right? Tourists visit the city, but not many compared to western European cities. WWII hit Poland hard emotionally and economically. After "liberation", the communists brought the steel industry, copious amounts of smog, and a regime based on intimidation and rationing - the country continued to struggle. I read in my Rick Steves guide book that the communists even controlled hair dye so that there was only one color available - a shocking pinkish-red! The Poles, known for their historical dissidence, carried out major protests and were met with martial law that lasted for two years in the early 1980s. In 1989, the Polish people finally achieved the autonomy they had hoped for for so long. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsi0GODAywQFH8AoSbuFaSm0mgOHrOqQ6gJzo8_plqnIsVbMZylHtVyVaI_50eFIeLK7hes6RHROU4VWbNDuTGWQsr4sqAiwdHomqGeIColYEj-zTqXZ-kIPZVHj3z3CWIYrPAG4iZm9S/s1600/IMG_7128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsi0GODAywQFH8AoSbuFaSm0mgOHrOqQ6gJzo8_plqnIsVbMZylHtVyVaI_50eFIeLK7hes6RHROU4VWbNDuTGWQsr4sqAiwdHomqGeIColYEj-zTqXZ-kIPZVHj3z3CWIYrPAG4iZm9S/s640/IMG_7128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The castle grounds</td></tr>
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We had really lucked out with the weather in Krakow so far seeing as how it was supposed to rain the entire time and we hadn't felt one drop. When we made it back to Rynek Glowny late in the afternoon, though, we could see the clouds rolling in. We did a little shopping in the Cloth Hall and then took a break drinking the thickest, yummiest, dreamiest hot chocolate we've ever had.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloth Hall</td></tr>
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The clouds did bring rain. Lots of it. So we made good use of the gigantic shopping mall near Krakow's train station. Somehow, Jeffrey walked away with more merchandise - that never happens! We enjoyed a delicious meal at an Argentinian steak house on our last night and woke up to a winter wonderland the day of our departure. We were only there a few days but flew back to Norway with a greater understanding of Polish culture, the country's struggles during WWII, and an appreciation for this beautiful, hopeful city.<br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-18512052597660680932012-11-04T10:28:00.003-08:002012-11-06T11:23:37.723-08:00Learning from Auschwitz <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jeffrey and I returned from our trip to Krakow last week. We enjoyed exploring the city's Old Town and I'm looking forward to writing more about that, but the main purpose of this trip was to visit Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. On our ride to the site, we had trouble describing our emotions in an appropriate way. Excited wasn't right. It sounded macabre to say we were looking forward to it even though we had been planning this tour for weeks. Looking back, we were anxious, even nervous, to walk the grounds of a site responsible for one of humanity's most horrifying tragedies - the murder of at least 1.1 million innocent people. </div>
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We arrived and joined a group of about 10 others and met our guide. Even though having a guide is mandatory during the high season, I would definitely recommend them. Our guide also encouraged us to take pictures, acting not as tourists but witnesses to the tragedies that took place here. We had tried to reeducate ourselves about the camp's history, but hearing the descriptions and seeing them at the same time made it easier to take everything in. We began our tour by walking under the infamous gate with message, Arbeit Macht Frei. Cruelly, this message means "Work Brings Freedom". </div>
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Victims were transported here from all over Europe, even from as far away as Norway. Auschwitz I used the grounds of prewar Polish barracks to first hold Poles in 1940, a race the Nazis believed to be sub-human and were to be used as slaves to the new regime. Although Jews were the preferred scapegoat of the Nazis for the world's problems, for almost 2 years the majority of the prisoners at Auschwitz were Poles. During this time, the camp functioned primarily as a concentration camp where death was brought on slowly from deliberate inhuman conditions and starvation. The double, electrified barbed-wire fence surrounding the camp divided life and death.</div>
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As conditions worsened in Jewish ghettos across Europe, the Nazi administration saw the growing number of corpses as a sanitation problem. Additionally, the Nazis found the psychological hardship was too great for SS men to perform mass executions of Jews (regardless of gender or age) by shooting them like the victims in German-occupied areas of the Soviet Union in June 1941. In January 1942, Hitler detailed his "final solution of the Jewish question", the Jewish ghettos were being liquidated, and Auschwitz, among others became a death camp for the extermination of European Jews and others whom the Nazis considered "undesirable". </div>
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Seeing those numbers is appalling, but it can also be a little impersonal because it's so hard to imagine. The museum tries to solve this with exhibits solely displaying the possessions of the victims like a room of shoes, hairbrushes, and suitcases. This was only a fraction of the belongings stolen from the Jews as they stepped off the cattle cars, mistakenly thinking the worst was behind them. Most disturbing was the room displaying 2 tons of human hair, primarily women's. More than 7 tons were found by the liberating army. Why was it kept? To make blankets and jackets for the Nazis. Auschwitz was truly a factory of death. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than 80,000 shoes of victims</td></tr>
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Also on display were the belongings of children as more than 230 thousand children under the age of 18 were deported to Auschwitz. Only 700 survived.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hungarian Jews arriving at Auschwitz</td></tr>
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After the "final solution" was imposed, most Jews deported to Auschwitz were sent to gas chambers, especially women with children. This process was done quickly so as not to raise panic. The museum even displayed pictures of families walking calmly, arm-in-arm toward the doors of the gas chambers. Those selected for work could be sent to their deaths at any time through other random selections. In the picture below, I am standing on the same spot that prisoners stood for selections during which SS doctors classified people as fit for work, fit for experimentation, or fit for death. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHs81uR2XjAhB3flg-njjtqrpyetkXxZapykEZ8U7LJRnJzHMYJdD2JEnHriF0bEin59EEhj6E9wEEKALANe4JA6R1TwvhpA6lxLNS7Tn_SOPOQxzmJPZU37dVN-kbdDY-c-1g1fgOYVL/s1600/IMG_6942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHs81uR2XjAhB3flg-njjtqrpyetkXxZapykEZ8U7LJRnJzHMYJdD2JEnHriF0bEin59EEhj6E9wEEKALANe4JA6R1TwvhpA6lxLNS7Tn_SOPOQxzmJPZU37dVN-kbdDY-c-1g1fgOYVL/s640/IMG_6942.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the selection and roll-call area</td></tr>
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Of those chosen for work, it was imperative that they follow the rules or they would be placed in Block 11. A prison within a prison. It was the most feared block and no one ever came out alive. People were tortured here in starvation cells, darkness cells, and standing cells. If the crime was punishable by immediate death, prisoners were taken to the wall in the courtyard between Blocks 10 and 11 and were shot. One such victim of this block was Maksymilian Kolbe. A prisoner from Kolbe's block managed to escape, so the Nazis punished the remaining inmates by selecting 10 of them to be put in a starvation cell until they died. Kolbe offered to replace a man who had expressed concern about who would care for his family. The Nazis agreed. The man Kolbe replaced survived the Holocaust.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYizUsQiVINLDO_WrhOkMgjXfsaUN31r_Mvv8Ei4IeJrg2A0H682Y7lyLRuRIh1ViZlZBySbAYHMepu_mjNZjBhR50PHJdLVFQlFo0Zw3v_zwqN4RhAH-ssKJIlLG63yRhPDly5hIgj82/s1600/IMG_6937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYizUsQiVINLDO_WrhOkMgjXfsaUN31r_Mvv8Ei4IeJrg2A0H682Y7lyLRuRIh1ViZlZBySbAYHMepu_mjNZjBhR50PHJdLVFQlFo0Zw3v_zwqN4RhAH-ssKJIlLG63yRhPDly5hIgj82/s640/IMG_6937.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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The single gas chamber and crematorium of Auschwitz I still stands because it functioned later as a bomb shelter for the Nazis. Zyklon-B was dropped from holes in the ceiling to murder up to 700 people at a time. "Special" laborers were forced to move the bodies to the adjoining crematorium.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmm9Qv6iFZTvvgdm7KqO7fRjO61sJ_POpmwgA8dtOitiVOIZohPVCN1hAAtwfCgZcba_APp4WVuebC4CBDnkZV_71XOxjW7_x6nfQpy0tr00i-M3js-NZlFTlCETFV-pY96JPaCIlBKL6/s1600/IMG_6952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmm9Qv6iFZTvvgdm7KqO7fRjO61sJ_POpmwgA8dtOitiVOIZohPVCN1hAAtwfCgZcba_APp4WVuebC4CBDnkZV_71XOxjW7_x6nfQpy0tr00i-M3js-NZlFTlCETFV-pY96JPaCIlBKL6/s640/IMG_6952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A replica of the furnaces</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used canisters of Zyklon-B</td></tr>
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In 1941, the single crematorium at Auschwitz I was determined inefficient and a second camp was built nearby. Auschwitz II-Birkenau could hold 100,000 prisoners whereas Auschwitz I held no more than 20,000. The majority - probably about 90% - of the victims of Auschwitz were murdered in Birkenau. 1 million people and 9 out of 10 were Jewish.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birkenau's guard tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prisoners on the dividing platform. Women and children to the left, men to the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dividing platform with an actual rail car serving as a memorial to the victims.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remains of some barracks, identified by the still-standing chimney stacks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's barracks</td></tr>
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As bad as Auschwitz I was, Birkenau was worse. The barracks were designed as stables and up to 1,000 could be forced to sleep in just one. This could mean up to 6 people per bunk, including the floor. The grass shown in the pictures is recent. In 1942, there was only mud, barracks packed with people, and smoke from the four crematoria. Sanitation was abysmal at Birkenau and prisoners were allowed two trips the restroom a day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A latrine at Birkenau.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZIeZfwfNm1Zhlrj4tqIaxWvXkqI7pq3E2DhluAzwTfrnO9JHcoZb6eAfAEoeF4or_3xNxjYLSg9b-9egLEKNPsDbv5p3Ytn6Z1Ua9XCmTu40DI9zCU-6HhSgPNCT2gocMl7wcqf6LGsa/s1600/IMG_7013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZIeZfwfNm1Zhlrj4tqIaxWvXkqI7pq3E2DhluAzwTfrnO9JHcoZb6eAfAEoeF4or_3xNxjYLSg9b-9egLEKNPsDbv5p3Ytn6Z1Ua9XCmTu40DI9zCU-6HhSgPNCT2gocMl7wcqf6LGsa/s640/IMG_7013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"On this site stood a wooden barrack where in 1944 more than 200 Jewish children between the ages of 2 and 16 were kept as prisoners. These children, the majority of them twins, were used for criminal medical experiments by the SS doctor Josef Mengele.</td></tr>
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The four crematoria each had the capacity to kill 4,400 people a day. The ashes were spread in fields as fertilizer, were used to make cement blocks and roads in the camps, or were dumped into pits. The Nazis tried to hide evidence of their crimes by destroying the crematoria with explosive as the Red Army approached. The ruins are all that remain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N30pqlEzWOyeAAF6KtFCULRs1LEXAC1lmoH8HUmszFqbpjHYuS9lYHiow1Yw93chkvzZtvuE0DAMJl4PMTwalduYPTXJ8MNFpeJvYBdDv3gas7ypMzqTpWnYu_OQ1KWyHr5GNwnh5rdE/s1600/IMG_6987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N30pqlEzWOyeAAF6KtFCULRs1LEXAC1lmoH8HUmszFqbpjHYuS9lYHiow1Yw93chkvzZtvuE0DAMJl4PMTwalduYPTXJ8MNFpeJvYBdDv3gas7ypMzqTpWnYu_OQ1KWyHr5GNwnh5rdE/s640/IMG_6987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"To the memory of the men, women, and children who fell victim to the Nazi genocide. Here lie their ashes. May their souls rest in peace"</td></tr>
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The monument at the back of the camp represents gravestones and a chimney of the crematorium. A poignant realization that the only way to escape was as ash.<br />
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Walking on the grounds where more than 1 million men, women, and children were murdered because of their nationality, their beliefs, or their lifestyle had a profound affect on us. It isn't my intention to give a history lesson, but it is my intention to make an impression. Fear of those we don't understand or who are different, the need to blame, and spreading hate. These crimes against humanity are still being committed every day - bullying, racism, homophobia etc. The Holocaust was an extreme result of these ways of thinking. We all have this one life. Why can't it be spent loving each other? The aggressors are only part of the problem as there are people that witness these crimes and do nothing. I've been one of them. I won't be again. I hope you won't be either.</div>
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Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-34531054505398356812012-10-15T13:10:00.003-07:002012-11-06T12:05:05.878-08:00Pistol Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every time we walk in the door and are greeted by our wiggly furball (aka Pistol), I'm reminded of just how lucky we are that he was able to make this move with us. As soon as I realized moving to Norway was a real possibility (Jeffrey had applied and told me not to get my hopes up, but up they were!) I started looking into getting Pistol there. I found a contact at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority that was extremely helpful and explained the rules. Good news, though - the rules were due to change on January 1 and it would be even easier! </div>
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Obviously, Pistol made it to Norway (though he still has nightmares about his 18 hour plane ride), and I'm pretty sure he loves it as much as we do. Here are a few of his favorite pictures of his time in Norway thus far.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt_O8dpOULJ7YOgF7B_o3kbcnWFs2hM_g0U10TitT1iCRO8WNiQpv7WqO38y6FvltN5E8eW4TyAmikJqkqvY85CR0aVKmFomZUifhBzsndgGvr4-Vdx6Gh6ZL2-2nH8Frg-FO6wIpQazi/s1600/IMG_2002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt_O8dpOULJ7YOgF7B_o3kbcnWFs2hM_g0U10TitT1iCRO8WNiQpv7WqO38y6FvltN5E8eW4TyAmikJqkqvY85CR0aVKmFomZUifhBzsndgGvr4-Vdx6Gh6ZL2-2nH8Frg-FO6wIpQazi/s640/IMG_2002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out frozen Mosvatnet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prancing through the snow at Sørmarka.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching for hot chocolate in Bergen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to the streams near Dalsnuten</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping the streets safe and cat-free</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break during our drive to the Hardangerfjord</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing at Vigdel Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting tickled at the Rogaland Arboretum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving the soft green grass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting his hike on at Solbjerg</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being rescued from Jeff's pranks in Roldal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting in his favorite spot (and ruining my couch cushions!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing to the top of Preikestolen</td></tr>
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Some Norwegian friends have also taken a liking to Pistol and ask to watch him any time we are out of town. Their son even invited him over for the weekend when we were IN town - Pistol's first sleepover! <br />
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He's our dog, and he makes us pretty darn happy.<br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-33331053300478435152012-10-08T13:02:00.000-07:002012-11-06T12:05:46.978-08:00A Norwegian Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our first fall in Norway has brought lots of rain, chillier temperatures and impending darkness (we are now losing 5 minutes of sunlight in both the mornings and evening), but it has also brought beautiful fall foliage and a sense of coziness to our warm, small home. The weather can be deceiving since it often rains while the sun is shining, but we took advantage of a break in the clouds and headed to the <a href="http://www.regionstavanger.com/en/Product/?TLp=39984" target="_blank">Rogaland Arboretum</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rogaland Arboretum</td></tr>
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It was on our walk that I finally felt Autumn - that excitement of this festive season with its crisp air, warm fires, and comfort foods. Too bad I can't find any pumpkin spice candles to really bring on the season.. Our Norwegian friends have never heard of them and I had a bit of trouble trying to describe the smell since they had also never eaten a pumpkin pie... looks like I should learn to make one! And chocolate pecan pie. Oh, and apple pie.</div>
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I'm still trying to figure out Halloween here. Not that I would go trick-or-treating (or knep-eller-knask-ing in Norwegian) especially since I'm still confused and a little upset every time I put a piece of Norwegian candy in my mouth. I just haven't acquired the taste for salt coated black licorice yet and it seems like EVERY candy is a variation of this combo - yikes! This amuses my coworkers and they always bring me more candy to try like Dunder Salts or Turkish Peppers. I put on my brave face and always try them, but I can barely last more than 30 seconds before I have to spit it out. I've tried to explain the bliss of eating a Reese's Cup, but again find my description of their taste to be severely uninspiring judging by their skeptical faces. Another thing to find and share (and surely they will like them more than I like Dunder Salt!).</div>
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I hope you are also enjoying these early days of fall!</div>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-25939976385231003352012-10-04T12:55:00.000-07:002012-11-06T12:07:27.834-08:00A Greek Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jeffrey and I have really tried to take advantage of living in Europe and do some traveling. We've been on the go so much that I fear this year will seem like some crazy blur and all those details that made each trip so special may get overshadowed by the highlights. Don't get me wrong, some mental images from our trip to Greece in August will stay with us forever like those crystal-clear, cerulean waters.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rISsV5g_6I19KVaY7QLH69PJGgmx9eNmHfSljYTutUlIrA_wGs_oB2BdlDuoEZR9YYhiaN1cegrYpLTm990v10Bvz_Rb7AvZ95DQ7Rzug_oyVyzPahtpxTxLrKXVtqk6V-yj0z_oOV3B/s1600/IMG_5719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Myrtos Beach" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rISsV5g_6I19KVaY7QLH69PJGgmx9eNmHfSljYTutUlIrA_wGs_oB2BdlDuoEZR9YYhiaN1cegrYpLTm990v10Bvz_Rb7AvZ95DQ7Rzug_oyVyzPahtpxTxLrKXVtqk6V-yj0z_oOV3B/s640/IMG_5719.jpg" title="Myrtos Beach" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlg0LCKaAnkbFsPZeo7YMGCNS8c0BsbjTu2vYZfs6nafBjJkMJZPrztt_2VZXCUP-cej6S4Oi3eaVF1lG5nzIwYmQ1g5IPIXbxnyA-QSV0OqRYFre8PAxtIiMquIxwazcwR4O44Bx1DNb/s1600/IMG_5674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Agios Thomas Beach, Kefalonia Greece" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlg0LCKaAnkbFsPZeo7YMGCNS8c0BsbjTu2vYZfs6nafBjJkMJZPrztt_2VZXCUP-cej6S4Oi3eaVF1lG5nzIwYmQ1g5IPIXbxnyA-QSV0OqRYFre8PAxtIiMquIxwazcwR4O44Bx1DNb/s640/IMG_5674.JPG" title="Agios Thomas Beach, Kefalonia Greece" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
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But will I forget waking up each morning to a homemade breakfast served on our hotel's patio? It included Kefallonian honey and Greek yogurt (yum!) and Jeffrey indulged in the cookies and pastries while continuously shooing away the wasps trying to attack me - oh yes, attack me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQHegpaQrVhZ5ovJHi9yRYrhkxWwfE-YaOJwpefmQT_phVzdZ5hGQy15wCbLbc9-Kl7qnkdabxiDV0RPV31EokHkY7J9aeFss0uSDN_lyD1npy08dPPMV1xJpWRrlZ_EmhtGnww91KnqV/s1600/IMG_7037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Agnantia Hotel, Kefalonia Greece" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQHegpaQrVhZ5ovJHi9yRYrhkxWwfE-YaOJwpefmQT_phVzdZ5hGQy15wCbLbc9-Kl7qnkdabxiDV0RPV31EokHkY7J9aeFss0uSDN_lyD1npy08dPPMV1xJpWRrlZ_EmhtGnww91KnqV/s640/IMG_7037.jpg" title="Agnantia Hotel, Kefalonia Greece" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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Will the memory of climbing down to that perfect cove only to discover that a 15' drop was all the stood between us and paradise fade with time? Jeffrey, always quick to solve a problem, assured me it wasn't that far and we could probably jump down. Luckily, the only other person we saw that day was on his way out and pointed us toward a safer way down. We spent our entire afternoon and evening here snorkeling, reading, and finding joy in those rare moments that life isn't a distraction but the main attraction.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNdpQuFBqTyo_CBslQKfBELD7hFJ8eCoi0i39xU81Mv6f-j-0cY90CHU4cVmbnUMSBQ1-d8xu-CPVGdMkFrYBhEaPS0vryfupdAg3NCrB_l6X5W2JwOKrS4nHWzA68dNZN881fSe7QVLI/s1600/IMG_6126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kako Lagadi Beach, Kefalonia Greece" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNdpQuFBqTyo_CBslQKfBELD7hFJ8eCoi0i39xU81Mv6f-j-0cY90CHU4cVmbnUMSBQ1-d8xu-CPVGdMkFrYBhEaPS0vryfupdAg3NCrB_l6X5W2JwOKrS4nHWzA68dNZN881fSe7QVLI/s640/IMG_6126.JPG" title="Kako Lagadi Beach, Kefalonia Greece" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xK6acJnX2_zDYrEKfArBGiXATMEsfmTSp9QHDhNrD7ltHtwx5OETVOYDx9HmU1Z_E7I_Izw2kZ37j1y77-EoLCKT3GhHjpu7KRN4yhsfsBEim6JpM3zwTb59m8e5xzaM04yu6oqHSxR3/s1600/IMG_6254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xK6acJnX2_zDYrEKfArBGiXATMEsfmTSp9QHDhNrD7ltHtwx5OETVOYDx9HmU1Z_E7I_Izw2kZ37j1y77-EoLCKT3GhHjpu7KRN4yhsfsBEim6JpM3zwTb59m8e5xzaM04yu6oqHSxR3/s640/IMG_6254.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu9prbKCLrSl3Lq0EOOaU48ShH9Qm-wKetC8d71V0wZt_ilQzbKkPvcEbugf-f7TS3SLQCdNXec9QtFtxCIcXlDx50jjBhbhHcl1Y3Ru2jIZKnbqnFHUCgEYCM9DqPMSckTSQ5WlCsv0B/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu9prbKCLrSl3Lq0EOOaU48ShH9Qm-wKetC8d71V0wZt_ilQzbKkPvcEbugf-f7TS3SLQCdNXec9QtFtxCIcXlDx50jjBhbhHcl1Y3Ru2jIZKnbqnFHUCgEYCM9DqPMSckTSQ5WlCsv0B/s640/IMG_6149.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
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Or the day we rented our very own boat-built-for-two and Jeffrey drove us along the coast? I wasn't completely sold on the boat idea. Aside from being an expert tuber/sunbather back in childhood (me) and floating on a pond in a $200 metal raft to fish with friends (husband), we had very little boating experience. Thank goodness I'm married to someone who encourages me outside of my comfort zone - it was fun! And aside from a few wasps that tried to attack me (again!) it was a perfect day of beach hopping and fish spotting. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">As a side note, it was discovered on this trip that wasps or anything resembling their menacing appearance cause me to go into a panic and they were not actually attacking. Or so Jeff tells me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LE83_kAqv2wYC9cL-krhSKG8XHFUajbvE5Plh7GPHxQk7GVpJ0sFw0CouKyDU4Luk2_q_23XubwfdX_QQ01lMlk8Upp-tcNDTHvIkVM23Rh_ba5KqrJkzRu8vTkvX7ziK1XxST_YC4p3/s1600/IMG_5984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LE83_kAqv2wYC9cL-krhSKG8XHFUajbvE5Plh7GPHxQk7GVpJ0sFw0CouKyDU4Luk2_q_23XubwfdX_QQ01lMlk8Upp-tcNDTHvIkVM23Rh_ba5KqrJkzRu8vTkvX7ziK1XxST_YC4p3/s640/IMG_5984.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLGWydNZeLRT4EXSpVZrddyT6d4gvFhza6zW-sIi1UyLHwhbAUXEMgxbhah3hqxa2PStjzCouNd3t8rzvVHD-H7zMq6t9Q_IUn0ztLOxgk9j167mEAJLG8pe9hoNAn9KK3W-4MpTj9lus/s1600/IMG_5744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Foki Beach, Kefalonia Greece" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLGWydNZeLRT4EXSpVZrddyT6d4gvFhza6zW-sIi1UyLHwhbAUXEMgxbhah3hqxa2PStjzCouNd3t8rzvVHD-H7zMq6t9Q_IUn0ztLOxgk9j167mEAJLG8pe9hoNAn9KK3W-4MpTj9lus/s640/IMG_5744.JPG" title="Foki Beach, Kefalonia Greece" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhg2AnHVW6IrX5qHz7KCfXX_mO8ysBdUprjNeiQsxdac609568rpG2UrsW9k-x7Uv0WZxNZ6ndP3kqiB2994V7oxbMEbK5LSI1Bthy-RKkrs_SQ7cbFCbJhmDmS9OzxqPGbQDUYfjGPqh/s1600/IMG_6059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhg2AnHVW6IrX5qHz7KCfXX_mO8ysBdUprjNeiQsxdac609568rpG2UrsW9k-x7Uv0WZxNZ6ndP3kqiB2994V7oxbMEbK5LSI1Bthy-RKkrs_SQ7cbFCbJhmDmS9OzxqPGbQDUYfjGPqh/s640/IMG_6059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Would we forget being lost in the woods looking for Dafnoudi Beach? Usually not one to give up, Jeffrey wanted to turn around but I kept coming up with reasons why we should continue the hunt like "look, there's a blue painted rock over there - that must mean beach!" or "the bushes don't look so think over here, it must be the trail!" We never did find that beach. We found plenty of others though! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOlJRUWQQKcOE3Bx9vGKwe3ZbUe1cq_fChcrcXmjxvdi9-JqTyaaHnui8RVkXlJlyOahwT2wS3WMVWw_2LOwXrOfqlvjjidwXSlQtm7tQ3DgBNpWEI7WHOo4c6Vv9c1Bw-NH2uCpT05jd/s1600/IMG_5743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOlJRUWQQKcOE3Bx9vGKwe3ZbUe1cq_fChcrcXmjxvdi9-JqTyaaHnui8RVkXlJlyOahwT2wS3WMVWw_2LOwXrOfqlvjjidwXSlQtm7tQ3DgBNpWEI7WHOo4c6Vv9c1Bw-NH2uCpT05jd/s640/IMG_5743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZJAq6ZflDR_w5LE3wmIXwIemODT2_WwinS_V8nnsfvgPjSdywTRj0HoVFAB2UJagLI33_7W-gXm9G-49RvHUYB11oc9kqdNBji4qaWJ9yeh9fBS1glSIKr6UYsmZmBf0Fdzge7DlXZvl/s1600/IMG_5915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Antissamos Beach, Kefalonia Greece" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZJAq6ZflDR_w5LE3wmIXwIemODT2_WwinS_V8nnsfvgPjSdywTRj0HoVFAB2UJagLI33_7W-gXm9G-49RvHUYB11oc9kqdNBji4qaWJ9yeh9fBS1glSIKr6UYsmZmBf0Fdzge7DlXZvl/s640/IMG_5915.jpg" title="Antissamos Beach, Kefalonia Greece" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
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How could we forget being paddled along Melissani Lake, a lake entirely within a cave so the sun creates a burst of turquoise when it hits the water? We drove about an hour from our hotel to see it for all of 10 minutes but it was definitely worth it. And that evening we visited Assos and had to pay a waiter in Norwegian Kroner because we ran out of Euro. We also climbed walked uphill to the castle of Assos but somehow couldn't find the castle (hence no picture). Sometimes its about the journey (and singing some show tunes songs along the way).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyA0GJ3HPCyWXpSaoCk9EEmttsNjlncF7DXORZomi5ScttNh31ciMlvb9HbKDlMlPrPMAZWOtElFYUNJfm0GR1xoqvo74VEeOrB9QiE2_jOGa642gEOK3mn0PxVsDTuHw2TLqo-feg4CA/s1600/IMG_5860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Melissani Lake, Kefalonia Greece" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyA0GJ3HPCyWXpSaoCk9EEmttsNjlncF7DXORZomi5ScttNh31ciMlvb9HbKDlMlPrPMAZWOtElFYUNJfm0GR1xoqvo74VEeOrB9QiE2_jOGa642gEOK3mn0PxVsDTuHw2TLqo-feg4CA/s640/IMG_5860.jpg" title="Melissani Lake, Kefalonia Greece" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkrbI96uGvxgwgqQxRP9cowyqzq6Q5DFgIPWrDLXi6AquiRIlIHibm3EsjYK9Dw8WRWirNnZUQqWDNgoPJmpQZeF50jF6SaWFyhyphenhypheny4L1_MrTFPqQXhOAOaM5g7MmbFxxt4i-DqnmwD2jI/s1600/IMG_5927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Assos, Kefalonia Greece" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkrbI96uGvxgwgqQxRP9cowyqzq6Q5DFgIPWrDLXi6AquiRIlIHibm3EsjYK9Dw8WRWirNnZUQqWDNgoPJmpQZeF50jF6SaWFyhyphenhypheny4L1_MrTFPqQXhOAOaM5g7MmbFxxt4i-DqnmwD2jI/s640/IMG_5927.JPG" title="Assos, Kefalonia Greece" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Will we recall the heat and dust of Athens? The countless stalls selling Greek eyes and olive oil next to ruins so old it's hard to contemplate? We flew in to Athens from Kefallonia the day before our return flight to Norway. Waking up for a 6AM flight created the perfect excuse for a nap before we explored the city. We spent most of the day walking around the Plaka and eating souvlaki before the trek to the Acropolis - a truly amazing site especially considering its been around since the 5th century BC! Greece really is magical, not even the shut down of Athens's entire public transportation system due to impending riots could get us down (though we took a cab directly to the hotel after hearing this). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTMD7-81NUFEK929qYHbxDvIwL6q2rv2HllicGijYMlTDuzOYV0EEjhwEn5CLZnhGHz8PEXHE2VQbs-Dm6W_yrlWKORp0PsIQtWQ5X5CCRYB4pepzKJbWAWG65zIArhckRCioLrE0nhip/s1600/IMG_6319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTMD7-81NUFEK929qYHbxDvIwL6q2rv2HllicGijYMlTDuzOYV0EEjhwEn5CLZnhGHz8PEXHE2VQbs-Dm6W_yrlWKORp0PsIQtWQ5X5CCRYB4pepzKJbWAWG65zIArhckRCioLrE0nhip/s640/IMG_6319.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Greece - I don't think we'll be forgetting you anytime soon! Yamas :)<br />
<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-23547268404506755792012-09-16T12:48:00.002-07:002013-01-29T11:38:54.868-08:00A Come Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Is the summer really over?? It sure is here in Norway. Here are some reasons I'm excited for fall:</div>
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<li>The leaves are changing to their beautiful shades of yellow and orange</li>
<li>Our house is really cozy when it's gray and dreary outside</li>
<li>We like lighting fires in our fireplace </li>
<li>It's supposed to be cold in the fall/winter so it's not disappointing when it is</li>
<li>Because we'll be here all winter, we might go shopping for real Norwegian outerwear - yippee!</li>
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We did do one last hike before the weather turned, and it was such a beautiful day. </div>
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We hadn't been hiking in a while because of my knee. I wasn't sure what happened on<a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.no/2012/06/sharing-our-corner-of-norway.html" target="_blank"> that hike in May</a> when Jeff's sister was in town and my knee made a weird pop, but after a visit to a doctor and an MRI in August (this was an experience in and of itself) it turns out that I have a chondral lesion behind my patella (say what??). Not exactly sure how it happened, but I was told that it could get better without surgery and to continue life as normal + pain killers. So, on with the hiking!</div>
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Next stop? Kjerag. Because a come back means going big or going home.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hiking route to Kjerag</td></tr>
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Though the drive out to Sirdal was sunny, our drive through the mountain pass to the base of Kjerag showed us we would be starting the hike in some fog. Luckily, the first few hundred meters are practically straight up (did I say luckily?) so we rose above the clouds quickly and the sun burned them off. </div>
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I would have kept on going, but Jeff wanted to take in the view (wimp). </div>
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I also used this time to search for blueberries and actually found some! They weren't the best I'd ever tasted but picking them myself did make them the most satisfying. </div>
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Good thing my knee had some time to heal because this is definitely the hardest hike we've done. It's 6 kilometers in length and a max incline of 380 meters so the 2.5 hours it takes to hike up and over to "the Bolt" is quite a workout.</div>
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At first I thought this would be similar to hiking Preikestolen, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's opposite the same fjord yet the terrain is more mountainous because the hike starts at the same elevation that Preikestolen ends. Hiking Kjerag also rewarded us with views of the fjord along the entire hike, rather than just at the peak. And, though Preikestolen was a steadier incline throughout, Kjerag's intense climbs ended with wide valleys - very "the hills are alive" sort of surroundings. Jeff loves it when I break out in song, so I just embraced the moment.</div>
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The major difference between Preikestolen and Kjerag? The Bolt!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFCGHwiraiXGlGu_BMN_QVS6vfLG4gXAG4pVvFDa5gw9LVFdNM_u2nLklRXbjyMXMOYfOM3vKz4s0YBunkUIpeteqcNzymf7lzAEKt8lmILI41d8So1vBQ6UycBAiJP4oQJKmyHJmV8CR/s1600/IMG_5569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kjeragbolten" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFCGHwiraiXGlGu_BMN_QVS6vfLG4gXAG4pVvFDa5gw9LVFdNM_u2nLklRXbjyMXMOYfOM3vKz4s0YBunkUIpeteqcNzymf7lzAEKt8lmILI41d8So1vBQ6UycBAiJP4oQJKmyHJmV8CR/s640/IMG_5569.jpg" title="Kjeragbolten" width="425" /></a></div>
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Few things can top the views from Preikestolen, but there's something about standing on a boulder wedged between two cliffs that makes you feel like you've really accomplished something. We even found someone to take a picture of the two of us! Jeff likes embracing the moment just as much as I do :)</div>
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Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com2Lysebotn, Norway59.055406599999991 6.648529800000005741.910098599999991 -34.660064199999994 76.2007146 47.957123800000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-23068167727280900872012-08-14T13:04:00.001-07:002012-12-12T13:31:26.200-08:00Praha and WienOur good friends, Jen and Dan, had set a date for their European vacation almost a year in advance (Jen is a fellow planner), so as soon as Jeffrey and I found out we would be living in Norway, we promised to visit them at one of their stops! When we heard of all the great places they were going, we couldn't choose just one and finally decided to meet them in Prague and Vienna. Jeffrey and I love exploring new cities but being able to experience it with great friends is even better!<br />
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Even though Prague and Vienna are only a 4 hour train ride from each other, the two cities couldn't be more different. Even if I hadn't know of their histories, it wouldn't have been hard to guess that Prague and Vienna prospered at different times. After a quick Wiki-search, the architectural terms I could use would be Gothic/Renaissance versus Baroque, but I don't think of those terms while I'm staring up at the Astrological Clock or the Hofburg Palace. My first reaction is more of a feeling. Prague's architecture is moodier, darker, more dramatic while Vienna's is fancier, cleaner, prettier (in my opinion, of course). What do you think?</div>
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Another big difference was the atmosphere. I felt like Prague's Old Town focused more on tourist gimmicks like crystal, garnet, and marionettes. I'm not sure if this is related, but the atmosphere was looser, louder, and more fun. Vienna had better retail, more cafes versus bars, and fewer peddlers. The atmosphere in Vienna was calmer, classier, more predictable. </div>
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Prague's crowded streets were filled with character while Vienna's beautiful parks and green spaces made the city feel more open, fresher.</div>
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Last but not least... the food! If we had to choose a favorite place based on food, Prague would take home the gold (yes, I miss the Olympics..). This surprised me, actually, because I didn't really know much about Prague's cuisine. Here's what we found out - it focuses on meat (pork knuckle, beef goulash, sausage) and cheap beer - perfect! I would have probably tired of it if we were there longer, but a few days was perfect. And Jeff was in heaven.<br />
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Such a wonderful trip with the best friends anyone could ask for. So glad we got to experience these two unique cities with you!Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-28802792513763229602012-08-03T13:12:00.000-07:002012-08-03T13:16:12.917-07:00Traveling ToolsJeffrey and I visited Prague and Vienna for the first time last week (pictures to come soon!). This vacation had been dreamt about, planned out, and anticipated for months not only because we had never been to either place but because we met up with our very dear friends from Houston, Jen and Dan! <br />
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Preparing for a trip is almost as much as the trip itself. It's true! Becoming familiar with a new city/country via articles, books, and maps is so much fun and it makes sightseeing easier. Below are some of my essential planning tools for our travels.<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.tripit.com/" target="_blank">Tripit</a>: a website/iPhone app that I use to build my itineraries. I can either manually enter information about my flights and hotels, or I can just forward my confirmation emails to the website and it is built automatically. I just choose the type of information I want to add (transportation, activity, restaurant) and an easy-to-fill-out form asks for the essential information. I even add times to my itinerary - not to force us into a schedule but to have a more realistic expectation of what we can see or where we can go in one day. My favorite part is the Notes section where I can add TripAdvisor reviews, directions, or page references to my guidebooks. <br />
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Nerdy? Maybe. Handy? Definitely! AND as long as I sync the app on my phone right before I leave, all of this information is available without internet.<br />
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2. CityMaps2Go: an app that gives you access to the most detailed street maps of any major city you could think of going to. After I downloaded the app for just a few dollars, I just searched by country for the city I was visiting and downloaded (for free) that city's map. Because this can be used without internet while travelling, it doesn't allow for GPS positioning but I've found the street finder tool works well if I get turned around. My favorite function is pinning my own points of interest to the map so that I can find them on the go!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sushi-suzuki.com/sushilog/2011/02/traveling-with-an-iphone-and-without-a-data-connection/" target="_blank">Via</a> - this site has other great tips too!</td></tr>
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3. A 4-digit PIN for my credit card: Since I don't like using my debit card while abroad, I had a 4 digit PIN added to my credit card. In Europe, credit cards are pretty much useless without a PIN!<br />
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4. Comfy shoes: I'm still trying to find the perfect shoe that doesn't make my feet/legs/back ache nor look like a running shoe. I'm thinking that TOMS are the best option for me right now... but Joanna Goddard has a <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/five-best-shoes-for-traveling.html" target="_blank">good list</a> too.<br />
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Hours of sightseeing make a girl tired no matter what, though, so the best remedy is lots of cafe/pub breaks!<br />
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5. Frommers Day-by-Day and Rick Steves: I have yet to find guide books I like better than these. The Day-by-Day books are great for a quick snapshot of top sites as well as neighborhood walks and restaurant ideas. They are also small enough to carry around while touring. Rick provides an overview of the city's history and culture plus more detail on the top sites and walking tours. I buy his from Amazon or iBooks so I can reference them on my iPhone while we walk around (the books are generally too bulky).<br />
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These are just a few of the resources I use to plan a fun vacation. Maybe they can help you out, too!Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-1684749621487694242012-07-21T12:31:00.000-07:002012-12-12T13:32:17.851-08:00A Weekend BBQ<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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Turns out, a BBQ in Norway is pretty similar to a BBQ in the states. My comparison may be a little off as there weren't any Norwegians in attendance... but two BBQers were Scottish. My point is - BBQs are fun no matter where you are!<br />
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Our friend's house is just on the other side of the harbor, so Jeff and I walked from our house. Our neighborhood is bursting with roses! Naturally, I stopped and smelled them. Apparently, Jeff found this funny and took pictures.<br />
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As we passed the harbor, there was a crowd watching the water. It wasn't until we were closer that we understood why. We just never know what to expect on our walks around here...<br />
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We definitely need to try this out sometime, thought it's much harder to move across the water than it looks! Pretty entertaining for all the people watching. On second thought.. maybe I'll just watch Jeff do it. We also saw the family of swans that live in the large pond next to the train station!</div>
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We finally made it to the BBQ before a search party was sent for us. We dined on hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, salad and corn on the cob (courtesy of our host, Chris); cream-cheese-stuffed-jalapenos-wrapped-in-bacon (courtesy of the Burros) and s'mores (courtesy of Gillian and Steve). No one had tasted jalapenos prepared like this before and they were a hit, making it totally worth the search at 5 different grocery stores for fresh jalapenos! My favorite?</div>
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The s'mores! They may be a little messy but they sure are tasty. Gillian likes them too :) Too bad this was the last BBQ in Norway for Gillian - she and Steve are moving to Perth! Guess I'll just have to make my jalapenos when I go visit :)</div>
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Hope everyone has a great weekend! If not, make a s'more.. it will make it better instantly.</div>
<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-40286691254536950942012-07-17T12:32:00.002-07:002012-12-12T13:33:52.171-08:00Pity PartyThough our recent guests (Jeff's parents and our good friend Matt) were welcome distractions for a few weekends, I'm going to give it to you straight.. I am a little put out with my new friend, Norway. <br />
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Like any new friendship, we've had our roles to play. I was the new one in town and Norway introduced me to all these exciting places, promising me that it would fill the void caused by being so far from family and friends. We both laughed at our different versions of appropriate prices and yummy cuisine. I justified Norway's cold climate with reasons such as "It's still winter" or "Great excuse to wear my new boots.. again!"<br />
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Here's the deal. It's July and I still wear a sweater AND a jacket 90% of the time because it's either raining or windy while hovering around 55 degrees. I'm seriously lacking motivation in the kitchen after <a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/cooking-up-storm.html">loads of cooking</a> but still refuse to order takeout because of the outrageous prices. And, speaking of outrageous prices, Jeff and I took 7 pairs of pants to the dry cleaners and walked out with a $200 bill. $200! I've discovered my Blackberry will never live up to the standards set by my iPhone. Friends and family? Still really, really far away. <br />
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Phew. Glad I got that out. <br />
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It would be really easy to blame this on Norway. But Norway hasn't lied to me or betrayed me. Our differences have just become more apparent (<a href="http://harrietcannon.com/assets/pdfs/The-Culture-Shock-Cycle.pdf" target="_blank">this explains most of it</a>). This happens with friends sometimes, but sometimes the best friendships arise from these circumstances. So, instead of wishing that Norway was like home, I'll take one day at a time and continue to be grateful for this big adventure (and make a few extra phone calls to you guys back home - I'm homesick for you more than anything!). Jeffrey and I agree - there are just too many pluses of knowing Norway to focus on what we miss. What's so bad about a little rain when Europe is right at our fingertips? Or the high prices when hiking in the mountains or walking along the harbor just outside our house is free?<br />
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Pity parties? Who needs 'em! Well, except just this one...<br />
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-50072096593140377662012-07-10T06:07:00.000-07:002012-07-25T05:36:11.236-07:00Hytter<br />
Commonplace in Norwegian life, second homes tucked away in a valley, overlooking a fjord, or amidst the mountains are called hytter (or, singularly, hytte). I'm still impressed by the sheer number of families with personal acces to one, either by direct ownership or through family ties. Hytte ownership is just part of the culture. Of course there are plenty of websites to rent from too and most corporations rent a few to their employees. We have taken advantage of a rental <a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/hardanger-fjord-road-trip.html" target="_blank">once before</a> and recently stayed in our company's summer cabin with Jeffrey's parents. I'm hooked!<br />
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Sometimes I chuckle at the thought of Norwegians needing to get "back to nature" since everything in Norway IS more natural than anywhere I've ever been. There was a time, though, that a hytter with electricity or running water (let alone internet) was unheard of. They still exist and can be sought out.. not necessarily by me due to my disdain for cold showers, or sponge baths as the case may be... but now most have the conveniences of home. It's their remote locations and idyllic scenery that create the relaxed, simple atmosphere. This may not be possible in every country/family, but it does inspire me to find more ways to simplify and enjoy the outdoors - a feeling I hope lasts longer than our stay here! Below are just a few snapshots of hytter around Norway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-PGssSr29tbAiEKyHIk6NAfpjoABx9_xH1uYV_wUncloWO5OchtPSdqhzd2F9nLInJL6KQCJW4t-SLZKOhRaCLVF4kwpkZkPTEa-1kE7vXNewoCLGVbb5KbbYDOqxYOANBgWYezSHoIg/s1600/hytte1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-PGssSr29tbAiEKyHIk6NAfpjoABx9_xH1uYV_wUncloWO5OchtPSdqhzd2F9nLInJL6KQCJW4t-SLZKOhRaCLVF4kwpkZkPTEa-1kE7vXNewoCLGVbb5KbbYDOqxYOANBgWYezSHoIg/s400/hytte1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://freecabinporn.com/tagged/Norway" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx9wijA3OUNp1RL67nx-LKZ88T1ikdt8ojlVHNaM7DNWAmHd4P62ZxvzRuzFlp6H1-_x8Lg36lIRpSdymCIT27omNNnsgXHkqm_QwaqmJ30vT48lEfOg_aqCKL7iLfpb-tpE883WnZbeA/s1600/hytte2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx9wijA3OUNp1RL67nx-LKZ88T1ikdt8ojlVHNaM7DNWAmHd4P62ZxvzRuzFlp6H1-_x8Lg36lIRpSdymCIT27omNNnsgXHkqm_QwaqmJ30vT48lEfOg_aqCKL7iLfpb-tpE883WnZbeA/s640/hytte2.jpg" width="426px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://freecabinporn.com/tagged/Norway" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_bDu4y51c3ZOUXCuRrfHoL8xtFULiuoNbWTvK33W3CInvXZFXccZG6i81xhyphenhyphen5yhc4ezJ_Oebr9AlgG4SCq-lmSbugGsYrmh8Mox4YjuHOrBygAkh_2Zpe_bZ4KDOVEgpT-QN8kdgTrBl/s1600/hytte3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_bDu4y51c3ZOUXCuRrfHoL8xtFULiuoNbWTvK33W3CInvXZFXccZG6i81xhyphenhyphen5yhc4ezJ_Oebr9AlgG4SCq-lmSbugGsYrmh8Mox4YjuHOrBygAkh_2Zpe_bZ4KDOVEgpT-QN8kdgTrBl/s640/hytte3.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://freecabinporn.com/tagged/Norway" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S5MdSIAlAhlQ1urzfZHH9_vqj2H_h1Nt95aOYnJXKrEadxquEzciL8oTSXsAQR7XTI1J7uh54l3KK8dLbYHhE_k9d0gbxjzy_m2k6WEtd_508rtxjxAGJDHZVgjHeHmcvw81gz9AjlOe/s1600/hytte4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S5MdSIAlAhlQ1urzfZHH9_vqj2H_h1Nt95aOYnJXKrEadxquEzciL8oTSXsAQR7XTI1J7uh54l3KK8dLbYHhE_k9d0gbxjzy_m2k6WEtd_508rtxjxAGJDHZVgjHeHmcvw81gz9AjlOe/s640/hytte4.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/North_America/United_States/Hokkaido/Hokkaido/Olden_Lake/photo930981.htm" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht69xR-rZgqFSGraFEP7J4u5G9Leo4qhcUh-EHHUmot-KdMzMPy_jVIyyMBBxlbhdZvQDtEC50js3tnfjp5YDqVClq1ZPx1YLtfo93fiSaK7RqmJU4p22eNQ-dSg_7mVB4RGL1Vn8oSWMb/s1600/hytte5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="424px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht69xR-rZgqFSGraFEP7J4u5G9Leo4qhcUh-EHHUmot-KdMzMPy_jVIyyMBBxlbhdZvQDtEC50js3tnfjp5YDqVClq1ZPx1YLtfo93fiSaK7RqmJU4p22eNQ-dSg_7mVB4RGL1Vn8oSWMb/s640/hytte5.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/what-is-typical-norwegian" target="_blank">Via</a></td></tr>
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<br />Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694657945957419368.post-6963974185072607652012-06-13T13:36:00.001-07:002012-12-12T13:37:00.193-08:00Hardanger Fjord Road Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jeffrey and I have been wanting to explore a different area of Norway for a while and recently took the opportunity to visit the area around the Hardanger Fjord. Since early June is still not considered summer (a painful realization for me), especially in the mountains, it took a little <a href="http://www.vegvesen.no/Trafikkinformasjon/Reiseinformasjon/Trafikkmeldinger?rapportid=601&type=utvalgt" target="_blank">research to figure out which roads would be open</a> and what activities we would be able to do. Bad news: we were a little early for<a href="http://www.hardangerfjord.com/en" target="_blank"> guided glacier hiking and Trolltunga</a>. Good news: roads were open and the forecast called for sunny skies. <a href="http://checkthemap.blogspot.no/2012/01/jaeren-and-hundvag.html" target="_blank">Remember</a> Norway's National Tourist Roads? Well, Roldal, the location of <a href="http://www.seimcamp.no/" target="_blank">our cabin</a> for the weekend, sits at the intersection of two National Tourist Roads - <a href="http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/hardanger" target="_blank">Hardanger</a> and <a href="http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/ryfylke" target="_blank">Ryfylke</a>. I hope these pictures convey the beauty of this region - a truly spectacular weekend filled with...</div>
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Snow Capped Mountains</div>
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Lush Valleys</div>
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A Stave Church </div>
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And About A Zillion Waterfalls</div>
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That was all in one day, too! One, glorious day.</div>
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Before heading back to Stavanger on Sunday, we drove to a farm in <a href="http://www.hardangerfjord.com/en/Odda/What-to-see/Buer---the-valley-and-glacier/" target="_blank">Buer</a> that has a trail leading to an arm of the Folgefonna glacier. Though it was too early to actually hike ON the glacier, we at least hiked TO it.</div>
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We were so glad we made this hike before heading home (especially with the snow slide on the way down - check out the video!).<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/V75nSjnXVs0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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PS I'm a visual person. Are you? Well, <a href="http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en" target="_blank">here's a visual</a> of the routes we took... just in case :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzZeoBMBZYOdCzGWoXuVjHD7dUaCm4mW72a3xE8yePeTLzGCYllmfkMDBI96rGbVBlGoCqcq6GjEsdn_O1H6_y1Brkek4EC3UuumZwiDG9pQv4PDXMOQXMiRX2NCLfrlJiQ5Yv87tjzaz/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzZeoBMBZYOdCzGWoXuVjHD7dUaCm4mW72a3xE8yePeTLzGCYllmfkMDBI96rGbVBlGoCqcq6GjEsdn_O1H6_y1Brkek4EC3UuumZwiDG9pQv4PDXMOQXMiRX2NCLfrlJiQ5Yv87tjzaz/s640/Untitled.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Oanes to Roldal - Ryfylke Route</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2-qJ-FGNmv9RQrQGKXqjY5Nxr6djjNx52Ydyh4nbKbOP2msIZ8U39NeTVE9r9GUgndaydH8VlQ2WfNDrxXqxOtYOh1jlAmc3geGwzCjuiFCHW3ED2SnulVHGG-pnA4o9Yc516SiWTkmy/s1600/Untitled+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2-qJ-FGNmv9RQrQGKXqjY5Nxr6djjNx52Ydyh4nbKbOP2msIZ8U39NeTVE9r9GUgndaydH8VlQ2WfNDrxXqxOtYOh1jlAmc3geGwzCjuiFCHW3ED2SnulVHGG-pnA4o9Yc516SiWTkmy/s640/Untitled+2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roundtrip from Roldal along the Hardanger Fjord - Hardanger Route</td></tr>
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Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12912060941666016723noreply@blogger.com1