Back Home in Kentucky

On Saturday night our visit to Norway was completed with a wonderful dinner in Hamar, attended by hosts and Rotarians from all the towns we visited, including Kongsvinger, Gjøvik, Lillehammer, and of course Hamar.  It was great to see friends again from our month-long tour and to share memories from the trip.  We were presented with a nice gift from the Rotary District, and paid tribute to our hosts.  On behalf the whole team, we all want to say thank you to our wonderful new friends in Norway for their hospitality, and to Rotary for making this life-changing experience possible.   Our lives are forever enriched.

We are back in Kentucky today, where the weather is a bit different than in Norway when we left. Spring is in full bloom here.  The grass is green and the temperature is in the mid-60's Fahrenheit (that's about 18 degrees Celsius for our Norwegian friends).  We are happy to be home, but also a bit wistful for our new home in Norway, and for our many friends there.  The GSE team intends to stay in touch with each other, and with our new families in Norway.  We are excited for the Norway GSE team who will visit Kentucky in May and June.  We hope and expect they will have as wonderful an experience as we did.

Rotary is bringing peace to the world, one person at a time, through the experience of friendship and sharing via the Group Study Exchange.  We are all so honored to have been a part of this, and look forward to making that experience possible for others in the future.

Ringsaker Church

On Friday we completed our tour of the Hamar region with a visit to the Folk High School at Ringsaker, and then were treated to a private organ concert at the church of Ringsaker, which dates back to the 13th century.  Here our guides points out details on the beautiful altar piece dating from the early 1500's.

Elverum

Last Thursday we spent the day in Elverum, visiting local industries and other important sites, including the Forestry Museum.  We took a short walk around the grounds near the museum, including across a walking bridge over the River Glomma.

Domkirkeodden

One of the many highlights from our visit in the Hamar region was a tour of the cathedral ruins of Domkirkeodden.  Hamar was home to a bishop throughout the late middle ages and up to the mid-1500's when the town was burned by an invading Swedish army.  The old church's ruins remain, now protected by glass walls and ceiling (at the same height as the original church).  A museum of the region's history also sits near the site, and we received a tour from the director.  The cathedral today is a functioning church, hosting weddings, religious observances and other events.

Update from Hamar

We have continued with our busy schedule, moving on to Hamar on the east side of Lake Mjøsa last Sunday. Unfortunately I'm not able to upload any photos at the moment, which is shame because the views of the lake from here are amazing and we've visited some very special places.

On Monday we visited the Mammoth House and learned about the geology of this part of Norway, toured some large farms in the area (this region of Hedmark has a strong agricultural tradition), and then visited Geno, a special farm that collects, analyzes and distributes bull semen for the Norwegian Red breed of dairy cattle. This is a high-tech process, sort of; the actual collection process is a blend of high-tech and old fashion birds and bees (bulls and bees?) natural instincts. Later in the day we visited the BioHus biotechnology program at the local college where extensive research, data collection, and storage takes place to support agriculture and other industries.

Yesterday featured a tour at the majestic ruins of the millenium-old Hamar Cathedral (now protected under a large canopy of glass--we must post pictures of this somehow), lunch with wonderful hosts at a beautiful home by the lake built in the "functionalist" architectural style, and then back to town for a discussion of the Norwegian economy and banking system.

Today was a vocational day for each of us. I visited the teacher training program at the local college and some area schools. Tomorrow we continue our travels in the nearby town of Elverum. We are also making presentations in the evenings to local Rotary clubs and enjoying the food and fellowship with others.

Venabu Fjellhotel

The landscape around Venabu was spectacular.  This photo was taken on Tuesday afternoon as the sun set over the nearby mountains.

A Week of Adventures

This week has continued to be full of brand new experiences and forging new friendships.  On Tuesday we had a very informative meeting with the Oppland County deputy governor, and we had great discussions about the similarities and differences between Norwegian and American governmental structures.  We then toured the National Olympic Museum and then were transported about an hour up into the mountains where we stayed at Venabu Fjellhotel, a ski resort near Rondane National Park.

Tuesday night we met with the Rotary Club from nearby Ringebu, giving our regular presentation, but we were also treated to a beautiful slide show about the Ringebu region, Rondane, and the wild reindeer that populate the area.  On Wednesday morning, we rose early for shoeshoeing and then an exhilarating experience driving dogsleds through the magical white terrain around Venabu.  Later we visited Ringebu's Stave Church, the oldest wooden church in the world, and then Ringebu Folk High School, a fascinating institution for which there is no American equivalent.

Today we toured Maihaugen Friluftsmuseum, an outdoor museum of traditional Norwegian home archicture, and then had a tour of Lillehammer University College, which features Norway's only school for film production.  Tomorrow we'll continue with a tour of the local police station, followed by the art museum and possibly other adventures. 

Ringabu Stave Church

Gary, Sara, and Jayme in Ringabu Stave Church, one of the world's oldest wooden buildings, constructed nearly a thousand years ago. It has a wonderful hushed atmosphere.

Ringebu and Snow Shoeing Too!

Today the group went snow shoeing and dog sledding with the view of Rondane mountain glistening in front of us. The view was spectacular and we had a great time enjoying the sunny winter weather!

Hafjell

In the afternoon, we were treated to a tour of the Hafjell alpine ski area, host to the downhill ski events for the 1994 Winter Olympics.  This is a partial view of the valley from the gondola which takes skiers and visitors up the mountain.  The sun emerged for a few hours, making the whole landscape glitter.

On the Rocks

Perhaps the highlight at Hunderfossen is the hotel/bar/wedding chapel carved straight out of snow and ice.  The chapel regularly hosts weddings, at least until the whole place melts in springtime, and there are accomodations for 40 people--you sleep on animal skins and in down sleeping bags, right on a bed of ice.  It's remarkably comfortable inside.  Each year, artists and architects rebuild the structure with a new design.

Hunderfossen

At Hunderfossen, with our host, in front of the Norwegian fairy tale castle.  Very impressive.

Lillehammer: First Full Day

We had many photo-worthy experiences during our first full day in Lillehammer.  We began the day with a behind-the-scenes tour of Hunderfossen, a family amusement park based on Norwegian fairy tales.  Our guide was Anders Huuse, the founder and owner of the park, who developed the concept 25 years ago.  We were all completely smitten with the park's charm. In the above photo, Anders prepares us to enter the troll's grotto.

On to Lillehammer

Today we said goodbye to our new friends in Gjøvik who were such wonderful hosts this last week.  We are very grateful for their hospitality.  The beauty of this special town, the "Swan of Lake Mjøsa," and its people, will always be in our hearts.

Tonight we have moved on to Lillehammer at the north end of the Lake.  Most Americans know Lillehammer as host city to the 1994 Winter Olympics.  This week we'll see many of the Olympic facilities, plus get to know the rich history of the area and its current economic and political situation.  We're looking forward to another rewarding week.

Fjellhallen

We've had a busy week in Gjøvik.  On Wednesday we toured the Raufoss Industrial Park, home to a cluster of 20 companies that employ 3,000 workers (when times are good; they are suffering like the rest of us during this economic slowdown).  Yesterday we visited the Hoff potato processing plant, where among other things, the glorious local potato liquor akvvit is manufactured.  Then we toured Fjellhallen, the ice hockey arena inside a mountain (pictured above), first developed for the 1994 Winter Olympics and now used for concerts, sporting events, and a variety of community activities.

Skiing

Cara and Sara with host and ski instructor, Finn, in Kongvinger. Tackling the winter sports one day at a time here in Norway!

Bergsjordet Ski School

We ended the day yesterday at Bergsjordet Ski School, where children as young as four learn the national past time of Norway.

Gjøvik Glassverk

Jayme at Gjøvik Glassverk! We each took turns blowing glass which they immediately broke because the standards were not high enough. What can we say, we are not professionals.

Gjøvik: Skibladner

Monday was our first full day in Gjøvik.  Here is Bill next to the Skibladner, the oldest operating paddle steamer in the world.  Lake Mjøsa is frozen at the moment, but during the summer this popular boat transports tourists and locals from Gjøvik, Lillehammer, and Hamar.

Vocational Day

Last Friday we each had a vocational day in Kongsvinger. I visited Marikollen Grade School (grades 1-7) and Holt Middle School (grades 8-10). It was a fantastic day meeting students and teachers. In the picture, fourth graders performed a dance for me. Students also sang songs for me in English, put on a play, and the older students practiced their English by asking me questions. I greatly appreciate my hosts at both schools for sharing their work with me and making me feel so welcome.

Dinner Party

Lille and Finn put on a fantastic dinner of fish, moose, and other delicacies. We sang songs throughout the meal and had a great time. Here Cara and I lead a song. I didn't actually wear that hat to the party. It appeared sometime later in the evening...

Gapahuk

So glad that Gary posted a picture of the viking ships. They're truly impressive, and look as if they could be seaworthy today. Notice the size of the people in the picture compared to the ship. These ships make you feel very small when you're standing next to them, and they're covered with all kinds of surprising carvings and details, like a little dragon carved on a rudder or sea monsters coiling up the prow.

We've moved from Kongsvinger to our next city, Gjovik. Yesterday it was snowy and cloudy, but today the snow has stopped and the sun is out-beautiful. I just finished breakfast, and I've already seen a few people out enjoying the nice weather.

Thanks to our friends in Kongsvinger for a wonderful introduction to Norway! We're looking forward to the next step in our journey.

Kongsvinger going away party: Gapahuk

On Saturday night, our hosts in Kongsvinger threw us a going away party at the estate owned by Finn and Lille Gjems. Our festivities began with a visit to their gapahuk, an open, wooden shelter for outdoor entertaining.

Vigeland Park, Oslo

At the Viking Ship museum

The Norwegian Opera House

I found the Viking helmet I was looking for

At the Storting

With our host, Bjorn Hernaes, former member of parliament.

Bill looks regal with the lions outside the Storting

Yesterday: The Storting (Parliament)

Granli Planteskole

This is the view of the Norwegian countryside from Granli Planteskole, the spruce tree nursery owned by Finn Gjems, president of the Vinger Rotary Club and one of our hosts (this is the view from the guesthouse where Cara and Sara are staying this week).  I can't begin to convey the magical beauty of this place, even in the picture.  The sun is just trying to break out in this photo.  Taken about 3:30 p.m. local time today.

Bill's new friend

In Magnor we also encountered one of the great figures of Norwegian folklore, a troll.  Bill's the one on the right (just kidding, Bill!).

Grenseland

Today our hosts took us to the borderlands (grenseland) between Norway and Sweden.  We started with a visit to Ronning Treski, where Olf Ronning makes traditional wooden skis by hand. He is one of only two wooden ski (treski) makers left in Norway, but continues to ship more than 300 pairs of skis per year around the world, including for the grandchildren of Spanish king Juan Carlos.  We then visited the peace monument at Morokulien marking the Swedish-Norwegian commitment to brotherhood and cooperation (as opposed to their past of conflict), and then went across the border into Sweden for lunch and shopping. Finally, we visited the Magnor Glassworks where craftsmen make beautiful glass products by hand.  In the picture, you see Cara peering into the kiln where the craftsmen make molten glass for their products (yes, we finally have pictures!).

Kongsvinger: First Full Day

Unfortunately, I'm having camera problems and have no pictures to post as of yet.  Maybe my teammates can send me some pictures to post.  I will get the camera problems straightened out tomorrow; for now, an update on our first full day.

This morning we met with the mayor of Kongsvinger, then toured Kongsvinger Fortress, a 17th-century fort around which the city of Kongsvinger eventually grew up.  The fortress commander, currently the only soldier actually stationed there, gave us a presentation on Norway's small but active military, and the former commander gave us a tour with the spectacular view of the city and the Glomma River (Norway's longest) below.  In the afternoon, we toured Bergene Holm timber company.  Forestry is a major industry for this region of Norway.  Later, we walked into the woods and met loggers who were using massive John Dear machinery to do the delicate work of thinning out the forest to promote good tree health.  I had the great pleasure of operating the timber crane, picking up and moving large bundles of logs.  There are pictures of this somewhere, which we'll get posted when we can.  Finally, we ended the day at a spruce tree nursery that produces 2 million trees a year for reforestation.  Tonight, we made our first presentation, to Vinger Rotary Club.  Our hosts were most gracious and welcomed us with open arms.

We are tired from our activities, but deeply grateful to the generosity our hosts have shown us.  The trip is promising to be wonderful.

Arrival

I will post some pictures here shortly, but I just wanted to update saying that we arrived safely in Oslo today around noon local time after three long, but uneventful plane flights with little sleep. The most exciting thing that happened was when I forgot to take off my belt before going through the metal detector at the Amsterdam airport. Let's just say the Dutch could teach the American TSA a thing or two about doing a pat down. I felt like the security official and I should share a cigarette when he was finished with me...but alas, I posed no threat and we moved on.

Norway is a gorgeous winter wonderland at the moment. We were greeted by three kind and hospitable Rotarians from the Vinger and Kongsvinger clubs and had lunch at a roadside restaurant before enjoying a beautiful drive through the countryside to Kongsvinger where we met our host families. Tonight, we rest and spend time getting to know our new families, and tomorrow we will visit Kongsvinger fortress, a local forestry operation, and attend a Rotary meeting in the evening. More stories and pics to come...

No tarantulas in Norway

One week to go. I spent part of the weekend beginning to pack, and I suspect my other team members were doing the same. No easy task to pack for a month. I also tried to recover from a nasty virus, thankful that it hit me this weekend instead of next.

I was also thankful on Friday when I attended the Franklin (KY) Rotary Club and heard from a recent GSE alum whose team visited the Dominican Republic last year. She regaled us with stories of water hoses used for showers and killing a tarantula as she went to bed one night. "It was so big, its legs were still sticking out from around my foot where I stepped on it!" she said. "I was convinced I had killed someone's pet, but my host family explained that, no, it wasn't a pet, just an everyday pest."

I felt pretty good about Norway just then, its hot showers and lack of tarantulas. They don't have tarantulas in Norway, right?

The Adventure Begins

Our Rotary Group Study Exchange experience in Norway commences in just twelve days. At the moment, we are busy packing and making arrangements to spend the whole month of March visiting and sharing with Rotarians and their families of District 2300 in the East Central region of Norway.

Our team represents District 6710, making up the central and western regions of Kentucky, USA. Members include Jayme, a paralegal from Paducah; Cara, a university librarian from Louisville; Sara (from Lexington), a victim's advocate with the state attorney general's office; and I am a school district administrator from Bowling Green. Our team leader is Bill, a retired university administrator and development director. We are proud to represent our sponsoring Rotary clubs, and our respective professions and communities.

We'll use this space to document our journeys and experiences, and express appreciation to our hospitable Norwegian hosts. Thanks for sharing our travels!