A few things...

Sunday, we hiked at Keiservarden. It was an amazing view.

We constructed some rock piles, they were all over- apparently, it is a Norwegian hobby. This hobby is called VARDE. Afterwards, we went on a scenic drive.

(Majvi in blue top)

(Bruce and Mason adding the finishing touches to our Varde)

Later that night, we went cod fishing on a boat that made its maiden voyage in 1916. It was 5 degrees celsius on the water and very windy. I wore a tank top, a t-shirt, 2 long sleeved shirts, a cardigan, a northface fleece, a rain jacket and another rain jacket on top, some gloves, a hat, and two hoods - I was still cold. It was a unique experience.

(MIDNIGHT SUN!)

We tried to fish but didn't really catch anything. THEN, we went to Bliksvær and had 2 units of beer and handfuls of shrimps.





Bruce wore mittens and Long John Silver was our captain.


Yesterday, we went to the aeronautics museum.
(Sven next to the BOMB!)
(decades of ejection seats )

... and then we went to Widerøe, Norway's #1 airline.

There, we were shown the crash test room where they simulate crashes and emergencies.
(Richard is good at evacuation)

Included in our tour were the control rooms where they monitor flights (340 flights every day), training rooms, and we also saw the huge garages where they make repairs.

(gettin' my repairs made)

A few things...

• Lots of cute guys work at Widerøe.

• Mayonnaise comes in tubes here, like toothpaste. buh.

• I ate like, 18 pieces of chocolate.

• I ate "fish balls". No, they're not the testicles of a fish.

• Richard and Wenche are really great, friendly, rotarian hosts who have been arranging wonderful activities for us, showing us around, and making sure that we are fed. They also are responsible for saving us from freezing to death when we went on the Faxsen boat ride. They packed all kinds of warm clothing and accessories for us to wear.

• Richard told me that when Norwegians bump into each other, they don't say sorry. If they bump very hard though or cause pain or break something or something like that, then they say it. I learned this only after bumping into him about 328, 437 times and saying "im sorry".

• Wenche knitted her own bathing suit and she swims in the ocean all year long. She's hardcore.

• Majvi is the niece of the Rotarian who was supposed to be hosting us, but she went on Holiday. Majvi is super nice and she likes to talk to Pooja and I and listen while we complain about our woes of America. She has been a gracious host and she makes a nice breakfast spread. She has been "teaching" us Norwegian words and phrases.

"Majvi, how do you say "how do you say"?" :)



Robert Smith, meet Nahn Nahnson.

Next blog: Work day at IRIS and Salstraumen, the World's Strongest Maelstrom!