The Norwegian Adventure | The End Is Near...

Well folks, the Norwegian Adventure is in its final days… and then there were 6 (days that is).

So in the interest of being completely in the moment for my final days, I am going to suspend posting until my return to Canada. I don’t want to look back and wish that I had spent these last days with my cousin- gossiping, joking with each other and enjoying many rum and cokes; running after a bi-polar 2 year old, who loves to watch Disney’s Cars over and over; or kissing a 1 month old who changes by the hour- instead of editing photos of what has been an amazing time; because there will be plenty of time for that.

It’s amazing how time flies, people say it all the time, but it truly feels as though I just landed in Stavanger-sans luggage- and began this journey. And even though I have one more week, my heart is already beginning to ache at the thought of leaving. Although I miss home- my bed, my friends and the many comforts that mean “home” to me; - I’ve been made to feel at home here and I will miss this place- that has given me the clarity that I needed badly; and the moments with my cousin reminiscent of a time when we were kids- it’s nice to know that even though we are all grown up, that we can still be big kids together! So I owe it to myself, my cousin and those two little babes, to spend my time- all of it- with them.

I’ll be back next week, with a full round up of the insane amount of photos I have taken and my list of favorite moments- which is going to be a task in and of itself, as there have been so many good times!

Have a wonderful week everyone! See you on the flipside ;)



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The Norwegian Adventure | Substantially Less Words and a Call for Help

Well folks, this is a first- I have nothing to say. I know- shocker! But what I do have for you are some shots from the fireworks display we attended this weekend- put on by my cousin’s sons school, in honor of some holiday where they burned a man at the stake; it’s all a little morbid to me, but you don’t have to twist my arm to get me out to a fireworks display!

Although next time I might spike my hot chocolate with some Bailey’s- by the end I was freezing my ass off.



And a question for anyone out there who might have a good answer- how does one shoot/edit fireworks pictures? I had a hell of a time shooting- my timing was way off- and editing- I didn’t have much quality material to work with; so I ended up just doing what I normally do, which I'm not loving. I would love some advice, or a link to a helpful and easy to follow tutorial online.

Well look at that, I did have something to say!



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The Norwegian Adventure | The Norwegian Oil Museum

After Monday’s low ebb, my cousin I decided to get spirits up again. We venture downtown, starting our morning with a stop at Le Café Francais- I said I was going back, and I wasn’t lying- for our usual pain au chocolat and vanilla latte; if that couldn’t raise my mood, then meds might be the only other option. Then we decided to visit the Norwegian Oil Museum- fill our bellies with food and then our brains with knowledge!

Norway is one of the largest oil producing countries in the world, home to one of the largest offshore drilling bases in Europe- because of this Stavanger was largely unaffected by the recession.

Stavanger in particular has quite the contingent of expats, coming to Norway for- what’s said- to be the safest working conditions in the world. Stavanger’s population is largely an expat population totally about 51%- coming from Texas, Alberta, Scotland, Saudi and any other oil country you can think of. During my stay, I have learned quite a lot about the international lifestyle of the Petroleum Wives. But that is an aside from the point of today’s post- The Oil Museum!

I’ve always loved museums, they are wealth’s of knowledge; and the Oil museum did not disappoint. They have put a lot into this place and it shows; there are interactive games, short films, offshore drilling simulations, 3D films on the history of oil and so many installations, you could spend hours in there.

Being from Alberta, one would think that I would know a little about oil and the industry- which I thought I did- but I learned so much about not only the issues that the world faces in regards to oil such as war, money, the environment etc; but I also learned about the future of oil and the industry. And Norway being one of the safest places to work- in general- it was very interesting to see the type of safety measures put in place on offshore rigs- although it is the pinnacle of an Oil workers career to work offshore, safety is always a concern. We’re not fishes, so being out the middle of the ocean is a vulnerable position for any human to be in. With that being said, I COULD NEVER work on an offshore rig, the museums simulation alone was making me nauseous- I thought I was being dramatic but my cousin said the same thing- so I couldn’t ever imagine myself on an actual rig; but I think that’s the case with most women, hence the only 10% female rig workforce.

The exhibit about rig divers, I found to be the most interesting of all; diving has been largely outsourced to machines these days, but men used to dive down to 400 meters to complete rig repairs back in the day- but due to long term nervous system damage and many cases of post traumatic stress disorder, the use of human divers is largely obsolete. But the divers of the past were rig rock stars and said to have been paid in the hundreds of thousands for their work- however, still not worth it to me; what do you think?

Aside from the amazing exhibits, the museum is housed in the coolest structure, with walls of windows looking out into the seaport, with 2 waterfront cafes serving light lunch type fare and pastries. The museum has done an amazing job telling the story of Stavanger’s economic lifeblood and shedding light on an- oftentimes- misunderstood industry.

Once again, if you are in Stavanger, this is an absolute must see; and lucky for you, Le Café Francais is just down the street!

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The Norwegian Adventure | Le Cafe Francais

I am 2 weeks into my Norwegian Adventure and if you follow me on Twitter or have read any of my previous entries, you would know that I could very well re-dub this trip the Norwegian Café Adventure. I have experienced all types of cafes, bakeries, restaurants and the like- all of which have been amazing!

I was asked recently “What is Norwegian cuisine like?” and truthfully, I haven’t been able to decipher what true Norwegian food is. I know Stavanger’s LOVE pizza- the pizza aisle at the grocery store isn’t just 1 aisle, it’s 2; and Stavanger’s also have quite an affinity for Mexican food, which I found slightly odd, seeing as Mexico is so far from here- and it’s not really true Mexican, it’s more Old El Paso and such; but I’m okay with that, I didn’t come here for poor American renditions of Mexican food, I can get that at home.



One of my favorite café’s so far, is the Café Francais- I’ve been there twice already; and I plan on going back again before I leave. And it’s not just a French café run by a Norwegian, it’s a French café run by a French expat, who desired to have a taste of his homeland in his new homeland.



On the outside, this place is very Norwegian- meaning I can’t understand any signs or what any passerby is saying; but as soon as I walk in I feel like I'm in France. The wait staff speak French, French news plays on the television and the assortment of baked goods are as French as one could hope for in Norway.



Pain au chocolate with the flakiest crust and fluffiest center; crème brulee with a perfectly torched crust and smoothest crème filling; the BEST café latte I have had since I’ve arrived- and I’ve had many! And the most interesting take on a chicken club sandwich- no bacon, just the most flavorful marinated chicken, tomato, lettuce and cucumber on the most authentic French baguette; in short heaven for my taste buds on all fronts!



The Café Francais is somewhere you go and laze for hours; starting first with a café latte and pain au chocolate, then with a chicken club and sparkling water and finishing with crème brulee and another café latte- to give you the much needed sugar rush and caffeine buzz to energize you for the- sure to follow- traipse through the cobblestone streets that surround this place.

If you ever have the chance to visit Stavanger- among all the other amazing things you must do- visit the Café Francais; I stake my reputation on it, you will not regret it!




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The Norwegian Adventure | Artistic Expression

I am a huge fan of the arts; music, theater, film, photography- the obvious- fashion, painting, graffiti etc; even if I don’t understand it, I still find a way to appreciate it. For the longest time I didn't understand graffiti because it wasn't something that I had seen in art galleries; but since being in Stavanger I have grown a true appreciation for graffiti as an art form.



I have always wished deep down that I could take a vision in my mind and translate into beauty in drawn form; sadly that’s not me- the best I can do is stick men and women. But I have many other talents, so I’m okay with it. It’s best for morale to focus on my strengths; but I digress, I appreciate art in its many forms.



Here in Stavanger the crime rate is very low, so low even, that people leave their doors open at night and even go as far as to leave their babies outside while dining inside a café- Norwegians believe strongly in the benefit of fresh air.

The only real dissent they have is graffiti, but instead of trying to fight the graffiti artists, they- the powers that be- have given them- the graffiti artists- a canvas.



In downtown Stavanger, right by the Petroleum Museum, there is a sandy play park/jungle gym, made from reclaimed scraps off of old rigs, and the government allows- rather welcomes- graffiti tagging all over it. There literally is not a inch left untagged; but what I love about it most, is that there isn’t an abuse of the wonderful gift that they have been given- meaning no profanity or lewd drawings. It’s nice to see; I mean, in Edmonton, a tag done at 3 am is removed by noon the next day; graffiti is treated as vandalism, when really and truly, it’s art.



Now this isn’t to say that some graffiti doesn’t spill onto a few buildings away from the government sanctioned canvas; but it’s nice to see a place where all types of artistic expression is embraced.



Seen any cool graffiti lately?

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The Norwegian Adventure | Chronicles of Narnia

These are some shots from our nature walk on Monday- taken before I was struck down with a case of the flu.

Right in my cousin’s back yard there is a fjord and an accompanying path that wraps all the way around it, framing its beauty- if Narnia were real, this is where it would be.



I know I have said it about a thousand times already, but it bears repeating- this place is insanely beautiful. Although it was a bit chilly, we went for our nature walk anyway and I am really glad we did; as they say in Norway, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”.




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The Norwegian Adventure | The Streets of Stavanger

If you haven’t already caught on by now, you are either new here or not reading any of the words I have written and simply scrolling to look over my photographic feats- either way I will repeat it- for repeating sake- I am in Stavanger Norway; hence the recent titles “ The Norwegian Adventure”.



I have been taking in the café culture, hanging out with children, enjoying the view from my temporary home; and being awe struck by the beauty that is Stavanger. This city is an eclectic mix of artsy, historic and modern- all the styles harmoniously coexisting to create a wonderful experience for any new comer. Although all the signs are in Norwegian- which I am beginning to pick up (takk- thank you; hei- hi)- everyone here knows how to speak English; which is comforting for this Canadian girl.



As anyone in my position would, I have been taking pictures like a Los Angeles paparazzi- of absolutely everything. There is so much to take in, it’s almost overwhelming thinking of all the things I want to see and do- I have been doing my best to manage my expectations; meaning, if I don’t see it all, I won’t let myself get too upset; I mean, I’m in Norway for heaven sakes, that is huge in and of itself.



These are my favorite shots of the week, the streets of Stavanger as I have affectionately titled them. The church in this photo is said to be one of the oldest churches in Europe; it’s funny to see locals, just going about their business as usual in such an breathtakingly historical and culturally rich setting; my jaw has been on the floor for the better part of the last week, I still cannot get over how beautiful it is here. It is nothing short of inspiring!




Have a wonderful weekend, Happy Halloween; and Takk for reading!

Xoxo
Bianca


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The Norwegian Adventure | Cafe Culture

The café culture in Norway is out of control- in a good way! There are so many cute little cafes sprinkled all over the landscape; even in small little suburbs one can find a cute café or bakery without too much effort. I have been allowing myself to indulge in $10.00 lattes and baked goods every time the opportunity presents itself- what are vacations for!

My cousin and her friends hit up cafés at least twice a week- and you will not find me complaining. I don’t need any excuses to lounge for hours over warm drinks and delicious baked goods. Although my cousins friends are slightly unfamiliar with the whole blogging thing, I have gotten more than a few sideways looks from some of her cohorts when I bust out my camera, hoping to capture every moment- one of her more outspoken friends exclaimed in her heavy Scottish accent “ Cassandra, your cousin is a fruitcake, she’s taking a picture of a latte”- one day in the far off future she’ll understand!



I’ve been here a week and I have been to a café almost every day; and, after spending hours with a group of mothers, I know WAY more than I care to know about the whole new motherhood experience- that alone is the BEST.BIRTH.CONTROL.EVER.



‘Nuff said.


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The Norwegian Adventure | The View From Here

Oh Norway you are ever so beautiful; no seriously, you are! Back when this vacation was off in the distance, I didn’t really know what to expect; I mean, I knew that there would be blond beauties everywhere- and there are; I knew it would be expensive- and it is (in fairness I was warned); but I had no idea it would be as astonishingly beautiful as it is. And all this beauty right in my very own temporary backyard!

I’m talking rolling green hills, glistening water and architecture to rival some of the best cities in Europe- London beware, Norway is coming for you!



My cousin’s condo backs onto a fjord and it is absolutely breathtaking; her view is worth the astronomical amount they pay to live here- I kid you not dear readers, Norway is SUPER expensive; I have been here for a week and I am still getting sticker shock. But, I don’t think I could ever get used to paying $10.00 for a latte, no matter how delicious and creamy- and OH MAN, they’ve been delicious AND creamy!



These are the pictures I took of my cousins view- and one at the train stop by her place; and can you believe I didn’t edit these photos AT ALL?? Nope, this is just the raw beauty that Norway has to offer.

I would say this is the BEST place in the world, to gain some- much needed- perspective; wouldn’t you?!


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In Transit

I am here, and settling into life in Norway- thank god.



Traveling is grueling no matter what; taking planes across the ocean is draining on the best of days- but my journey saw me on three planes, in three airports- waiting for a total of eight hours, two in Vancouver and six in Amsterdam. Which would have been fine, but I was lugging around a computer, duty free liquor weighing no less than 20 lbs AND my purse.



I was cursing my computer the whole time because it was completely and utterly useless to me on the journey, as EVERY. SINGLE. AIRPORT was without free wireless- ah, the perils of no credit card. And I cannot be certain whether it was the short hair- contrasted against the long braids in my passport picture- my red sleepy eyes or the fact that my scent preceded me- another peril of long journeys- but I was “randomly” selected, not once, not twice but three times for a routine pat down- the last round being the most intimate; but you won’t catch me complaining as it is probably the only action I will see while I’m here. Thanks for the love customs;)



And as if that wasn’t enough, the airline lost my luggage, which I was told- after the fact- is a part of the deal when flying KLM out of Amsterdam. But they did give me a “care package” with a flimsy brush, a toothbrush and an XXL men’s t-shirt; thanks KLM (said with complete and utter sarcasm).



But despite it all- the long delays, the 40lb carry-on, the frisky security and the lost luggage- I’m here!




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