It has already been over 2 weeks since I got here now. I had many questions in my mind about what the lay-out of this summer would be, and yet I experienced much peace about it at the same time, knowing that this is where I am supposed to be right now.
The first couple of days I spent at my sister's place in Minnesund. Her house is only 30 min. north of the airport, and she is always very willing to come and pick me up there. Personalized taxi service - what a blessing! We had a good time visiting.
The first week-end we drove to Setesdal to attend our niece's Confirmation. That is a big event here in Norway, and in this region a very colorful and festive looking one also. I enjoyed being able to spend this time with my family over here, as I throughout the years have not been able to be here for most of the significant family events. Oh, and the desserts! My sister Rønnaug told me they had 19 different cakes/desserts for the party! And about 40 guests. We had left-overs for several days afterwards, and not much craving for cakes for a while after the week-end! But they were really good.
The nature in that part of the country is very pretty, and taking advantage of the prepared trails in the hills is something almost everybody does, me included. The fresh air, the good smells of the mountains and woods, it is all so healthy and refreshing. And paired with good company and good talks it does not get much better.
Back to the lowlands by bus, I am now stationed at Sagavoll, Gvarv, in the heart of Telemark, where I used to live as a teen-ager. It is a Christian boarding school, "Folkehøyskole", for students who have finished High-shcool and have not started college yet. In the summer they have conferences here periodically, so there are people here all summer. I have a small efficiency-apartment here, just enough to be comfortable. In exchange for the room I help out with some practical work, tending to all the plants, indoor and outdoor. Just what I had wished to be able to do. It is only a few hours work every week, and no work on week-ends. I can set my own hours, and come and go as I want. I really feel this whole arrangement is a gift. The people are great, friendly and nice to be around, and I have even seen some familiar faces from old times… (It is a long time since I lived here!) An added bonus is a quiet room with a piano, a nice place to spend some time in the evenings, when most of the other workers have gone home for the night.
This is the beginning of my reporting, this blog was created tonight. There will be more later, I will tell you about my little cabin then.
The last couple of days I had two guests - Belinda and Honey, her dog. He loved the bed! We had a really good time, catching up on life, talking, laughing, eating, and going for walks. Amazingly enough, my little abode was big enough for all of us. We went for a walk on a little nature trail by the river, and met up with a swan family. They weren't too enthused about Honey, but decided not to swim away, either. Pretty cool.
