When we got back from Norway...five weeks ago...I had gotten sick but my memories were hardly tarnished. Our group was separated for the trip, but we met up our last night there and took the same flight back to Madrid. Eric, Eduardo, Tyler and I left Friday morning/afternoon and spent the night in Oslo. We walked around the area near our hostel and found a pizza place that I think was called Dotty Dumplings. Let me add that Norway is a very English-friendly place. The waiter asked us, I believe, if we were ready to order, but in Norwegian. We said nothing, but our looks of confusion said all that was necessary and he switched to English much to our relief. One of the pizzas we ordered had a topping called tiger sauce. We ordered without knowing what is was, and it turned out to be a spicy sauce, actually spicy! Spicy food is hard to come by in Spain. It may have had to do with our hunger, but the pizza was phenomenal. The next morning we checked out of our hostel and headed to the train station for the much-anticipated voyage to Bergen, Norway's 2nd largest city. We chose to go to Bergen because we heard that it is supposed to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. I'll tell you right now, it lived up to and exceeded our expectations. I do not possess the literary skill to describe it in words, but I will invite you to my shiny new flickr page to see the photos. Our activities included exploring a church (that had stellar views from the top), learning about medieval Bergen, a fortress that consists of a castle built by Eric Rosencrantz during his reign and a tower built by king Magnus the Lawmender (how fantastic is that name), discovering that Norway has 7-11 stores, going to an aquarium, enjoying the snow and gift shop visiting. On our second and last night there, we took a funicular up the side of a mountain and got a first class view of the whole city. The train ride from Bergen back to Oslo was no less impressive than the first, but there was much more sleeping. That night we walked to city hall in search of "The Scream". We didn't find it, but the Oslo city hall is so impressively decorated on the inside, mostly murals, and a lot of nudes, which makes sense for such a cold climate. The next day we saw Oslo in daylight for the first time, went to the Edvard Munch museum (where we found The Scream), a Viking ship museum and a sculpture park that exceeds explanation. All the while, we were making use of the public transport (metro and buses) with much success until we accidentally got on a real train and almost got on our way back to Bergen...that was interesting. Later we went to the Ice Bar there, which is one of the coolest places I've ever seen. The pun is 90% unintentional. You get to wear awesome parka/ponchos and drink out of glasses made of ice! After that is when we finally got to meet up with the others. We went on a grocery store adventure and ended up making beer brats in a tea kettle (we only miss Wisconsin a little...). After being gone for 5 days, I was really looking forward to getting back to Madrid; appreciating returning to a place after being away on a trip really makes it feel more like home.
Four weeks ago the WIPT program took a trip to Córdoba, a city I had been really looking forward to because of the gran mezquita (mosque). It was so surreal to finally see it in person after learning about it and seeing a few pictures. The weather could have been better that raining off and on nearly the whole time, but I suppose it also could have been worse. What I thought was really special about the historic area of the city was that the streets are lined with orange trees. They are sour oranges so that people don't take and eat them all, but they are no less beautiful and pleasantly odorous.
The day before leaving for Córdoba, I got to spend the afternoon and evening with two friends visiting Madrid (and me!). I had not seen either of in quite a while, so getting to catch up and show them this city really boosted my morale.
Now to answer the big question: What did Blair do about Thanksgiving?
On the actual day, the program held a dinner for everyone, which was a great time of togetherness, but it was at a Spanish restaurant so the food wasn't exactly traditional. The following Sunday, some friends and I got together and had a potluck with real Thanksgiving food. The greatest part was that we cooked a turkey ourselves. For a taste of home, I brought a recreation of the corn pudding that is my aunt's holiday staple. Shout out to Eric for taking care of the turkey and Ryan for hosting!
I really wanted to break my cycle of not posting before break, but I was also prompted by a friend of mine and her thought provoking questions...
1. Are people tall or short there?
It really varies like in the US, but I would say the average is shorter.
2. Do they like gringas?
I don’t think Spaniards use the term “gringa”, but I think we mostly intrigue them.
3. What is their favorite American thing to make fun of?
I don’t really have experience with this, but maybe laziness?
4. What is the best thing about being there?
The satisfaction from successful interactions with Spanish people and surviving on my own in a completely different culture and environment
5. What is the most awkward?
The excessive PDA; I’m thinking it will never stop being awkward for me. And the doorman in my apartment building; He is a nice man, but is desk is right outside our front door and so he always sees when I have to come back because I forgot something.
6. Do you have to pay to use bathrooms?
Not in public restrooms (of which there are few) but there are some outdoor, permanent, round, plastic, pillar-like restrooms that cost 20 centimos.
7. Do they like cats or dogs more?
I will say dogs because there are always so many people out walking their dogs. Most of them are tiny dogs because they are easier to take care of in a small city apartment. There is a serious issue with people not picking up the poop though; there should be a fine.
8. What was the hardest thing to get used to?
No clothes dryer!
9. Why are the guys so hot - is it the hair?
I don’t know what it is, but Spanish men can “tall, dark and handsome” the heck out of the rest of the world.
10. Does the metro make you sick?
Not unless I’m on it for a long time.
11. Are discotecas creepy?
Discotecas themselves are not creepy, but there are people and things that go on that are quite creepy.
12. What is the worst/ best thing you've eaten?
I learned the hard way to be weary of some of the items in paella mixta.
Tortilla may be simple and typical, but it is one of my new favorite things.
13. Do they think the number 13 is unlucky?
Let me get back to you on this one!
14. Was Norway badass?
Yes, yes it was. And cold.
15. What is the meaning of life?
42
16. Do they like cheese and is it stinky
As far as I can tell, there is not a strong relationship with cheese here. No frightening knock-you-out smell experiences. #1 condiment=Olive oil
December thus far has been full of classes, schoolwork, exploring Madrid and Christmas movies. Now time is going very slowly because I am so looking forward to be back in the states with my family for Christmas. 5 days!
Besos!
