The Norway I know.

I’m drunk (although I guess that should go with out saying) at the only lodge for miles around in the Norwegian Alpine and its 3am. The sun has yet to set, and I’m overlooking the alpine landscape where the “ice planet” scenes from Empire Strikes Back were filmed. To my left is some guy in a 20-year-old navy suit break dancing and seeing how high he can jump over a chair (the grooms father) to my right are 2 drunk Norwegians were singing at the top their lungs and acting out a song about a killer rabbit. No this is not an alternative ending to the Shining but day 2 of our week long trip and the wedding of hands down, two of my favorite people on the planet – Toby and Cathrine.

Mike and I had finally made it to Norway and Kevin Locke had gotten off the continent of North America.

History had been made.

Toby & Lars (aka Norwegian #1 & #2)

You could say I married into the “Norwegians” as ultimately they were Mike’s friends first. Mike first met Toby (Norwegian #1) back at Simon Fraser University where they were lucky enough to be roommates.  Soon Norwegian #1 multiplied into Norwegian number 2,3,4, 38 ect and over the course of unhealthy amounts of beers, G&T’s and one 4L jug of Julio Gallo red…long and short we ended up in Norway to a plethora of warm welcomes, gracious hosts and of course a drink or two for old times sake.

Me and two out of three of my favourite Norwegian ladies -
Cathrine & Karine

The night before the wedding -
hanging out in a train booth

Toby and Cathrine’s wedding took place in Finse, a mountain lodge located on the train line in between Bergen and Oslo.

Can you spot the two guys not from Norway?

The lovely wedding couple 

Following the wedding we headed back to Oslo to meet up with the first half of the Canadian Kevin, Leah and cool cat Parsons who had flown in for the 2^nd wedding - Kim and Jeanette (see New Years, Marital Discussions, Mike & The Giant Phallic Symbol for more on these two top notch kids)

Bromance 

Mike showing his appreciation for Norwegian art

Leah and I hanging sitting on the roof of the opera house

Chippy (see comment above about drink or
two for old time sake)

After a few days of catch up and sightseeing and for some of us defacing Norwegian art, the five of us headed up to Bergen to meet with the legendary jazz fingering man himself- Lars, his lady love (one of my new favorite Norwegians) Karine and their 100 pound bulldog Egon.  The plan was to go visit the newlyweds Toby and Cathrine’s at their cabin south of Bergen for a night.  The original plan involved taking the train from Oslo to Bergen but, due to an earlier fire in one of the snow sheds, a portion of the track was closed and we had to take a bus part way through. The scenery was stunning, the drive itself involved dropping nearly 1000 meters back down to sea level and made the Duffy lake road look like a four lane highway. Although, with a hangover in tow, a vomiting child sitting in front of us, and the continual wafting of the urinal from the back of the bus the drive had a few trying moments despite the jaw-dropping scenery.  Well, pictures speak louder the words in this case.

View and smell outside of bus - crisp and beautiful

View and smell inside of the bus not so much

Getting to the cabin involved required one of two options: renting a car, or crossing the Bergen fjord by boat. Lars our fearless Norwegian just so happened to have a speedboat, which he kindly offered up for the journey, although I don’t think Lars took into account just how much luggage 5 Canadians could have, although perhaps a bit slower than expected we eventually made it. 

How much f*@-ing luggage?

Cabin

Ragna & I bonding

Thank god.....

some things don't change

 The trip back was a little more eventful. Although our fearless sea captain and first mate prevailed, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that on a few occasions the thoughts of how long I would last in the Atlantic waters didn’t cross my mind. Upon expressing these thoughts out loud I was lucky enough to have Parsons sitting next to me who so graciously provided a reality check.
     

Trip over everyone happy.....

Pirate Lars
 pretty much sums up our trip back....

Egon aka the 100 plus pound Norwegian bull dog

Upon reaching land and after saying a few hail mary’s we eventually met up with the rest of the Canadian contingency and once again the lack of a setting sun lead us astray.

Bergen

Ahhh 3 am street meat in Bergen!

Usually I try and keep my blog light hearted and fun. If I'm going to be honest its because I've never been very good at the profound and heartwarming stuff.  However recently, both Mike and I found ourselves in a position of having to watching and read the news about a city that we not only just recently visited but also have close personal ties too, forced into grieving due to one man’s selfish and remorseless actions.  Although we were glad to hear that our friends and their families were safe, I think it’s also important to remember that one rotten apple shouldn’t be allowed to spoil the barrel.  We loved Oslo and what we’ve seen of Norway and we can't wait to be back there again, sooner then later. 

Oslo