My brother Chris arrived here in Norway last Monday night. We (I) haven't done much because I seem to be at work all the time. Chris however has been touring the town by foot and bike.
We have gone out every night at least. The first night we ended up at a beer bar. We saw a Norwegian stout and went for it. It wasn't good. The aftertaste taste a lot like a strong cheese. We returned last night and discovered it had a lot more to offer. I think that will become a regular spot.
I learned today that we get to celebrate Guy Foxx day with the Norwegians. I'm pretty excited.
We're off to the Phileas Fogg for dinner now.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Dalsnuten
It's been a busy weekend again.
Friday started with dinner at a Russian restaurant. I had fish and potatoes. It was really Norwegian food. The beer was Russian at least, and the waitress was Latvian.
Saturday I got up early and walked downtown to check out the tourist information center. The normal market had been moved into a different plaza because they were have a concert in the main plaza by the harbor. The tourist shop told me that there were no ferries to the UK this time of year, which I kind of suspected. I did get plenty of pamphlets and a ferry and bus schedule for trips to Bergen.
Then I walked up to the watchtower/museum but it didn't open until noon, so I will have to try again sometime. At that point I needed to get back because we were making another trip to the grocer. I did get a chance to listen to some Norwegian rock music on the way back. It wasn't bad, even though I couldn't understand the words.
After the grocery store, Spencer and I set out to hike up a nearby mountain called Dalsnuten. It's not far from Stavanger. It's just across Gandsfjord right across from our office.
At first we went to a town called Dale where there was suppose to be an access point to a hiking trail, but we couldn't find it. So we went back to a small parking area we saw on the side of the road. The initial part of the hike was steep and wet. We speculated that this was not the normal route as it was not well traveled. However, the trail was well marked and we found our way.
We continued hiking through the mountains and fields towards Dalsnuten. It was a very Lord of the Rings-like experience. The trail was mostly just red marks on rocks and trees. Otherwise it felt like the landscape hadn't changed in thousands of years. We finally made it to the top and placed our rocks on the pile, as is Norwegian tradition. We then hiked back taking a slightly easier and more scenic route.
Fortunately there were only a few minor falls through the entire hike. However, we were both muddy and tired. Also, there was minimal rain, otherwise it would have been a very different experience.
Today we went to Stokka lake and went for a run around it. Tomorrow my brother is coming to visit. It's suppose to rain all week, of course. I hope the forecast changes some and it clears up for him.
Friday started with dinner at a Russian restaurant. I had fish and potatoes. It was really Norwegian food. The beer was Russian at least, and the waitress was Latvian.
Saturday I got up early and walked downtown to check out the tourist information center. The normal market had been moved into a different plaza because they were have a concert in the main plaza by the harbor. The tourist shop told me that there were no ferries to the UK this time of year, which I kind of suspected. I did get plenty of pamphlets and a ferry and bus schedule for trips to Bergen.
Then I walked up to the watchtower/museum but it didn't open until noon, so I will have to try again sometime. At that point I needed to get back because we were making another trip to the grocer. I did get a chance to listen to some Norwegian rock music on the way back. It wasn't bad, even though I couldn't understand the words.
After the grocery store, Spencer and I set out to hike up a nearby mountain called Dalsnuten. It's not far from Stavanger. It's just across Gandsfjord right across from our office.
At first we went to a town called Dale where there was suppose to be an access point to a hiking trail, but we couldn't find it. So we went back to a small parking area we saw on the side of the road. The initial part of the hike was steep and wet. We speculated that this was not the normal route as it was not well traveled. However, the trail was well marked and we found our way.
We continued hiking through the mountains and fields towards Dalsnuten. It was a very Lord of the Rings-like experience. The trail was mostly just red marks on rocks and trees. Otherwise it felt like the landscape hadn't changed in thousands of years. We finally made it to the top and placed our rocks on the pile, as is Norwegian tradition. We then hiked back taking a slightly easier and more scenic route.
Fortunately there were only a few minor falls through the entire hike. However, we were both muddy and tired. Also, there was minimal rain, otherwise it would have been a very different experience.
Today we went to Stokka lake and went for a run around it. Tomorrow my brother is coming to visit. It's suppose to rain all week, of course. I hope the forecast changes some and it clears up for him.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Normal life in Norway
We've been working a lot lately. It's been 9-10 hour days and that will probably be the norm until we leave. We leave for work around 7:15 and take turns driving. We work all morning and then eat lunch around 11:30. Then we work quietly or work with the Norway people until around 3:30. That's when the Houston people get in and when the Norwegians go home. At that point the emails and phone calls start. This goes on until 5:00 or later. Good times.
Except today we left on time. I did a 13.1 mile run because we left earlier enough, the weather was good, and we may not be here on Saturday. I ran to Stokkavatnet, which I'd been trying to find for awhile. Here's my observations about the lake. You will find there:
Except today we left on time. I did a 13.1 mile run because we left earlier enough, the weather was good, and we may not be here on Saturday. I ran to Stokkavatnet, which I'd been trying to find for awhile. Here's my observations about the lake. You will find there:
- A wide gravel running path
- Meadows with cows and sheep
- Small stone sheds built into the hills
- A golf course
- Angry swans
- Hills
- Lots of trees
- A very scenic lake
- Plenty of Norwegians
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Hostage
I drove to work again today and this time I went around the roundabout. Thus I have mastered Norway driving.
Today was a typical day for the most part. I couldn't get a lot done because I was missing some access. That should be resolved tomorrow. The fun part was that lawyers in Houston held us hostage long past acceptable meeting hours. They insisted that we listen to legal compliance training. They just couldn't wait for us to be back in Houston next month. I'm probably breaking some kind of trust law by writing about this right now, but oh well, it sucked.
Of course, as these things go, we missed much as a very nice day during our incarceration. I did get home in time to run at least.
I ate Subway again tonight. I need American food every now and then. That's about it for today.
Today was a typical day for the most part. I couldn't get a lot done because I was missing some access. That should be resolved tomorrow. The fun part was that lawyers in Houston held us hostage long past acceptable meeting hours. They insisted that we listen to legal compliance training. They just couldn't wait for us to be back in Houston next month. I'm probably breaking some kind of trust law by writing about this right now, but oh well, it sucked.
Of course, as these things go, we missed much as a very nice day during our incarceration. I did get home in time to run at least.
I ate Subway again tonight. I need American food every now and then. That's about it for today.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Today's post
Today I drove us to work. I only ran over one roundabout, so I think it went well.
It was a busy day. Work is really starting to ramp up. We're going to have some long days. It was really nice outside. I almost wanted it to rain because it's so much easier to focus.
I went for a run and now I'm having American style macaroni and cheese. It's not bad, but could use some more cheese. That's about it for today.
It was a busy day. Work is really starting to ramp up. We're going to have some long days. It was really nice outside. I almost wanted it to rain because it's so much easier to focus.
I went for a run and now I'm having American style macaroni and cheese. It's not bad, but could use some more cheese. That's about it for today.
Yesterday's Post
Whoops. Forgot to do this yesterday, and yesterday was very eventful.
Yesterday we drove to a place called Gloppedalsura. Gloppedalsura is a terminal glacial moraine. What's that? When a glacier moves forward it collects rocks and stuff in it. When it recedes it leave a pile of rubble. That's the moraine. The terminal moraine is the final pile. Gloppedal is a rare sight because it's actually where a second glacier came through an already formed glacial valley.
The road to the moraine is of course very scenic and treacherous. When we got there it was raining. We got out and walked around, but it was too wet and too cold to really explore much. So we continued on to a restaurant and gift shop near there. The restaurant had typical Norwegian fare. The gift shop, however, was enormous. They specialized in candles, and they actually built the store onto the side of the mountain.
After the gift shop we drove back to Stavanger and drove around to some of the Stavanger sights. The first stop was the 3 swords monument on Hafrs fjord. It's a dedication to a battle there that unified Norway as a kingdom. By this time the rain had cleared and it was sunny, so it made a nice scene. It was also the first time I slipped and fell. The first of many I'm sure.
We then continued on to a park along the North Sea. The park was basically a long path and a lot of rock. At one point there's a huge chain link in the rock set as a dedication to a sunken ship. It was cold and windy, but I loved it there. There were tons of rocks to climb on and a lot of exploring that could be done, not to mention the scenery. I will probably go back.
Finally we drove to Stokka Lake. We just walked down and looked at it. It has a very nice running trail which I'm looking forward to using. There was 3 swans near the lake. When they saw us they came over expecting some bread. When we didn't have any they got mad. It probably didn't help that Spencer was taunting them.
That's about it. An eventful day.
Yesterday we drove to a place called Gloppedalsura. Gloppedalsura is a terminal glacial moraine. What's that? When a glacier moves forward it collects rocks and stuff in it. When it recedes it leave a pile of rubble. That's the moraine. The terminal moraine is the final pile. Gloppedal is a rare sight because it's actually where a second glacier came through an already formed glacial valley.
The road to the moraine is of course very scenic and treacherous. When we got there it was raining. We got out and walked around, but it was too wet and too cold to really explore much. So we continued on to a restaurant and gift shop near there. The restaurant had typical Norwegian fare. The gift shop, however, was enormous. They specialized in candles, and they actually built the store onto the side of the mountain.
After the gift shop we drove back to Stavanger and drove around to some of the Stavanger sights. The first stop was the 3 swords monument on Hafrs fjord. It's a dedication to a battle there that unified Norway as a kingdom. By this time the rain had cleared and it was sunny, so it made a nice scene. It was also the first time I slipped and fell. The first of many I'm sure.
We then continued on to a park along the North Sea. The park was basically a long path and a lot of rock. At one point there's a huge chain link in the rock set as a dedication to a sunken ship. It was cold and windy, but I loved it there. There were tons of rocks to climb on and a lot of exploring that could be done, not to mention the scenery. I will probably go back.
Finally we drove to Stokka Lake. We just walked down and looked at it. It has a very nice running trail which I'm looking forward to using. There was 3 swans near the lake. When they saw us they came over expecting some bread. When we didn't have any they got mad. It probably didn't help that Spencer was taunting them.
That's about it. An eventful day.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Daily post
From now I will post daily. I swear.
Today after the run we all drove down to Sandes to go the Maxi store. It's basically a grocer with some other small shops. They have malls like we do, but the corridors and shops are much smaller.
We stocked up on food and went back to the flat. From there, Spencer and I walked down to the bike shop to see about rentals. They don't do rentals and directed us to the tourist center. We found two building marked "tourist" but they both had signs indicating the tourist center was somewhere else. Finally we found the store but it was already closed.
So we just walked around and looked at some shops. We found a souvenir shop and bought some things, and then hiked up a hill with a tower on it. It turns out that it is a museum that you can climb, but it had already closed too. So now we have several things to go back and see.
It's time for dinner. I think we're going to a Thai place tonight.
Today after the run we all drove down to Sandes to go the Maxi store. It's basically a grocer with some other small shops. They have malls like we do, but the corridors and shops are much smaller.
We stocked up on food and went back to the flat. From there, Spencer and I walked down to the bike shop to see about rentals. They don't do rentals and directed us to the tourist center. We found two building marked "tourist" but they both had signs indicating the tourist center was somewhere else. Finally we found the store but it was already closed.
So we just walked around and looked at some shops. We found a souvenir shop and bought some things, and then hiked up a hill with a tower on it. It turns out that it is a museum that you can climb, but it had already closed too. So now we have several things to go back and see.
It's time for dinner. I think we're going to a Thai place tonight.
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