GSE Norway Experience

Views of Bergen

2006-05-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Most Beautiful Site these Eyes have Ever Seen

2006-05-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

TRAIN TO BERGEN

FAIRY BOAT TO BERGEN

Kayaking in the Oslo Fjord

2006-05-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

On our personal day we were fortunate to have a guided kayak tour by Mr. Jan Wold, the Chairman of the GSE District Committee. It was very different from my kayaking experience on the Myakka River...instead of alligators you had giant cruise ships passing by you...very intimidating. We had an exciting adventure in Drobak; I smile from ear to ear when I think about it.

Cindy

Matthew, Jan and Cindy

Cruise ship passing exactly where we had just crossed the fjord in kayaks over to Oscarborg, a fortrss out in the Oslo fjord (see below).

Weapons and artillery used during WW II.

Frambu: The National Center on Rare Disabilities

2006-05-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Center has a very large collection of art. This statue was formally their logo. The amount of public art in Norway is very impressive. In fact all new buildings are required by law to spend about 3% of the total budget on art for the building.

Astrid is very passionate about her work at Frambu. Here she demonstrates how the white room is used.

The Bridge Design of Leonardo Da Vinci

2006-05-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

Rollercoaster Anyone?

2006-05-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of Norway's amusement park, Tusenfryd (translates to "a thousand pleasures"). Unfortunately the day we toured the park it was closed to the public so we only could imagine the thrill of riding the coasters.

A giant size dessert. We've actually had the real dessert twice and it is magnificent! My body is beginning to take on a similar shape...the food is delectable.

Are we on a casual stroll or are we lunch...

All that walking can make you thirsty.

Moose Sighting or is that an Elk?

2006-05-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

The Norwegian's call it Elk but we call it a Moose. No one has been able to definitively explain the difference yet. Cindy, Matthew and I stumbled upon her walking home in the woods after a dinner party. The locals were surprised at out experience and that we were so close, 20 feet away.

Ladies Night

2006-05-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

The girl scouts in us emerged this evening, telling stories around the fire and toasting smores.

We Each have a Little Viking in Us...

2006-05-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

Viking Burial Ground

Lana, the Viking Warrior, tries her hand at ax throwing.

Matthew has made his way to the top of this inverted tree.

The Team Attends Service at a Church from the Middle Ages

2006-05-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

The entire Team pictured outside Rygge Kirke, a church from the Middle Ages in the city of Rygge. The entire service was in Norwegian and it is Confirmation time in Norway, a very special time for youth around the age of 15. Many parrishioners were dressed in their traditional outfits called brunard (see below).

Team USA finds their Alter Egos in Norway

2006-05-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

We needed to let loose from our rigorous schedule so on our off time in didn't take us long to find ways to entertain ourselves. Lana had us choose our alter egos and this is what we became. Our laughter echoed throughout the neighborhood. This will be a very fond memory of our team for me.

Vocational Day in Sarpsborg

2006-05-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege to spend part of my vocational day learning about ASVO with the director Gunnar (pictured above). ASVO is a social service organization with the mission to support mentally disabled citizens with skills training and job placement within the organization's business ventures including a restaurant, framing shop, pottery making, fruit baskets (pictured above), and firewood cutting/ditributing just to name a few.
Additionally I toured the Cultural School and Teen Center. The Center is a positive afterschool and weekend social center for teens in the Sarpsborg community.

My Sarpsborg Rotary Host Family

2006-05-04T14:21:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of staying with a wonderful couple in Sarpsborg, Inger and Harald. Both are educators and taught me so much about the history and geography of Norway. I could probably hold my own on the two topics with a Norwegian primary school child--quite impressive for a nonnative.

This was the guest house situated beside their lake cottage I slept in for a few days over the Norwegian Labor Day weekend. It was so cozy. I felt renurished to be near the water again. It felt like being home--only colder. But the crocus are emerging and many trees are full of buds; spring is around the corner.

Brrrrr--it's cold here

2006-05-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

The visit to Halden and the Fredriksten Fortress involved an outdoor tour; which proved to be challenging for the Floridians. We were brave through and stuck it out. It was about 7 degrees celsius, windy and rainy.

The old Fortress was impressive and I soon became aware of the incredibly harsh conditions of the soldiers that served there in the 17th Century. It was humbling. The view of the city was spectacular. The Norwegians are very proud people. Their struggles towards independence from the Danes and the Swedes is interwoven in the fabric of this great country. We've learned so much history of Norway through our interpersonal and cultural interactions we all feel a bit proud of their journey towards independence.

Fredrikstad-The Fortress Town

2006-05-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

The Fortified town of Fredrikstad was built in the late 1500's after the old town of Sarpsborg was burnt down by Swedish troops.

The town is now populated by about 300 inhabitants and many of the old buildings contain small shops and artisans selling their crafts.

Many of us bought hand blown glass at one of the shops. There are many skilled artists in the area.

Vigeland: GSE Monolith Interpretation

2006-04-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

Nannestad High School

2006-04-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

Nannestad High School has only been open for about a year. The architecture and public art impressed us. The learning environment is more self-directed and independent than my high school experience.

When students enter high school they test to determine college track courses or practical courses. These students are in the culinary track, learning the skills of the hospitality industry. They also have a meat cutters curriculum which includes a storefront within the school where the public can purchase meat cut by the students. We were very impressed.

Vigeland Fountain and Monolith

2006-04-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Beyond the Bridge , the path continues to a fountain. In the center is a basin with six giants holding a saucer. Surrounding the giants are twenty tree groups (the tree of life) with a myriad of symbolic representations of mans relationship with nature as well as lifes evolving stages , stretching from childhood to death.
The Monolith Plateau was extraordinary! This is an image that will remain in my minds eye when I reflect on my Norway experience. The Monolith Plateau has three terraces and eight entrances. Every sculpture includes at least two figures and human relationships are the theme. The Monolith is the central column which consists of 121 human figures and is called such because it was carved out of a single block of stone. The symbolism is open to interpretation. For me it represents the struggle for transcendence from our human existence.

Vigeland: Angry Little Boy Crying

2006-04-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

The most famous of the Bridge statues is the Angry Little Boy, crying.

Vigeland: The Bridge

2006-04-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

This one is entitled The Young Woman Dancing.

Of course I couldn't resist this pose.

Vigeland Takes Our Breath Away

2006-04-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

If I go home today I would not feel as if I missed a thing after visting Vigeland Park in Oslo. This sculpture park will be one of the most memorable experiences for me without question.

You enter wrought iron gates with human and animal imagery. The bridge contained 58 bronze statues depicting people in varying stages of life. Dominant motifs include the relationships between man and woman and between adults and children.

Sven, Our Newest Team Member

2006-04-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

We found a new member for our Team at the slopes. Sven joined us for sausage and tea over a campfire. Needless to say he wasn't able to stay long.

It's typical for Norwegians to spend a day skiing and make a fire to cook lunch.

After lunch we discovered the joys of sledding. We felt like a bunch of 12 year olds running around with sleds. The laughter came deep within the belly as we watched each other go flying down the hill.

Floridians on Snow Skis?!

2006-04-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled to hear that we would have the opportunity to try cross country skiing. I've only downhilled and that was 15 years ago so I was eager to try out my ski legs again. We all fell more than a few times. I never felt so uncordinated in my life but after a little practice I finally got the hang of it.

After we were able to stablize ourselves we posed for an action shot.

Picture l to r:Christie, Lana, Cecil, Lynn, Matthew, Cindy

We've arrived!

2006-04-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

We arrived at Gardermoen airport after our journey across the Atlantic to a very warm reception by our Rotary host families. We traveled to each of our respective host homes in Nannestad to get settled. We met up together as a team at the home of Hilde Ramstad and Håvard Simonsen for coffee and the most delicious pastries. I guarantee at least an additional 7 pounds of extra weight will be returning with me.

Picture: Lynn, Lana, Tor, Matthew