Friday, November 05, 2010

Rainbows galore!  

I guess that's what you get when you are in a place that rains a lot.  But goodness there are a lot of rainbows here.  Good fortune?  I hope so!  Perhaps I should take a study break and go searching for the pot o' gold? Or, figuratively I've already found one :)  But, if rainbows produce gold, there's lots of it around these parts.  Perhaps that's why Norway just topped the UN quality of life report.

Sorry for the delay but finally some pictures from the couple of exciting weekend trips in the month of October.  As I mentioned in my last post, I was able to go to Trondheim as a student ambassador for NHH and got to see the area where my Norwegian relatives lived before they left Norway in 1866.  They were country folk and this is the city so I don't know if they were ever in Trondheim but it's fun to think about.  What if they were in this church too?!  Here is the Nidaros Cathedral.  Story is it was build on Saint Olaf's grave.  It is beautiful with stained glass windows and a fabulous old organ.  I lit a candle in the church for the family.

1857- when my family was in the area!



















I was also able to go on the NHHS Surf Club trip to Stadt, a little place called Hoddevik-

It was a great weekend away and, yes, there is surf in Norway.  And growing stoke.  This was honestly one of the coolest places I've surfed.  Haha, yes, it was cold.  That's not what I'm getting at.  Immagine sitting in that water looking back at this-


We went out for a couple of sessions on Saturday and it was fun.  Sadly, my arms are not as strong as they should be and with all the layers, I had noodle arms.  But, with a 5mm, a hood, booties and gloves I really was not cold.  I did get out to the break and had a some fun rides.  That's really all I needed.  I was just so content taking in the splendor.  

Hoddevik has two farm houses that are converted into surfer hostels.  It's awesome!  The house we stayed in is 50 meters from the ocean and rents you all the gear you need.  So, you suit up at the house and walk on over to the beach.  I will say, the snow was a bit of a fluke.  Even Norwegians were commenting on how early the snow came.  And, of course it's gone now.  But it will return!  We arrived on Friday night by ferry.  Driving to the beach house was insane because of all the new snow and a full moon.  Surreal.  These are some of the international masters guys from NHH, a great group.  And you can see the beach off to the left




the view from our bedroom window





Now I must ready myself for a day full of studying.  Believe it or not most of my lectures have ended and I am done with finals and heading home to San Diego in just under 5 weeks.   The semester has flown by and I'm really enjoying my time in Norway.  

Hugs and Happy Friday,
lisa liv

PS. this is the refrigerator at Hoddevik.... priceless :)