Nordic World Ski Championship

On Saturday (March 5), we headed up to Holmenkollen ski jump to watch the men's team skip jump.  We waited for two hours in the cold before it started.  We watched the first round of the 40 men jumping.  One Austrian jumped for 141.5 meters, setting a new record.  The other rounds were canceled due to severe winds.  We actually were pretty lucky because it was foggy all week except for Saturday.  

Munch Museum

Because of the Nordic World Ski Championship, the Munch museum was offering free admission and free English tours.  It was very informative, we learned about his life and many of his works.  Interestingly he often wrote a poem or letter to go alongside and help explain his work.

Nordic World Ski Championship Concert, Fashion Show, and Medals

During the Championship, every night there was the medal ceremony downtown with some entertainment.  We went for the first night.  There was a fashion show, concert, and then the first medal ceremony.  It was cold and packed but fun.

Nordic World Ski Championship Market

Over the last two weeks, the Nordic World Ski Championship toke place in Oslo.  As a result there were many events going on around town to celebrate.  The area around National Theater had a market with Norwegian food and goods.  Around the market there were Munch ice sculptures.

Cross Country Skiing

We finally decided to become Norwegian and take up cross country skiing!  We bought boots, skis, poles, and wax on Thursday.  Our first lesson was today.  We had some falls but it was fun.  One interesting part was that part of the time, we skied on a frozen lake. 

Where we went skiing

With our skis, tired after skiing

Hadeland Glassverk

Today we took a bus outside of Oslo to Hadeland Glassverk.  It was a long but beautiful ride through the countryside. They have been making glass for over 250 years.  They had some amazing items, and the prices were even more amazing(ly high).  We ended up buying a bowl with a rim of green at the top.  Since it had grapes in the picture on the box, we call it our grape bowl.  The highlight of the trip was a glass blowing demonstration after which both of us were able to blow our own glass which we were able to keep.

Date Day

We had a great date day on Saturday January 22.  We took the subway up to Frognerseteren, which is about 15 stops up a mountain.  Once you get off the subway you sled down about 7 stops which takes about 30 mins.  There are a lot of flat spots so you end up walking quite a bit.  We had two plastic sleds so we decided to use those and save the 100 kroner each to rent sleds.  The sleds went fine and had brakes but no padding what so ever.  We both have bruises on our backs.  During one of the walking spots, we got to see some ski jumping which was cool.  Afterwards, we came home and made cheese fondue.  It was delicious!  We finished off the night with a marathon of games.  

With the painful sled

Taking a break from sledding to watch the ski jumpers

Cheese Fondue

Starting off the game marathon with scrabble

 

Post Christmas Dinner

On Saturday (January 15, 2011) Christine, Tyler, Rett (Exxon people from Houston), and us gathered for a post Christmas dinner.  Christine and Tyler were nice enough to provide all  the food, while we bought wine and traditional Norwegian desert rice creme.  We had turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce (from the can), and sweet potato casserole.  It was a ton of good old fashioned American comfort food!       

Jean, Lucas, Rett, Tyler, and Christine in front of the food

Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona Spain

We had a great time in Spain with Erica and Jud.  We left on December 28, 2010, and came back on January 4, 2011.  We visited Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona.  Highlights include: eating tapas, drinking sangria, seeing flamenco dancing, spending New Years Eve in Puerto del Sol, seeing La Sagrada Familia, and many more.  To see more photos click HERE.

In front of the Palace in Madrid

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Norway is Trying to Kill Us

We had a great time in Norway and Spain with Erica and Jud.  We are back in Norway and sick again!  Erica got the flu the day she left USA and bought it with her.  Lucas got it the day we flew back to Norway from Spain.  He is now starting to feel better.  Jean is taking her pneumonia antibiotics and praying she doesn't get the flu.  Hopefully the antibiotics will work and we can finally start doing things in Norway!