Rotary Weekend at Holmenkollen

Lauren and I arrived at the Lysaker station in the afternoon.  We were greeted by a Rotarian and driven to the hostel called "Emma Gjestehus" which is just outside of Oslo.  It was so great to be reunited with the Rotary kids again!  It had only been about three weeks, but it was too long! 

Connie, Miki, me and Lauren: gingers/rangas



Victoria, Fransisco and me



in the Aussies' room watching Yes Man

We spent the first night introducing everyone that wasn't at winter camp to the new Aussies and Argentinians and reconnecting with everyone.  The Rotarians made the mistake of stocking a fridge full of soda because we all took as many as our arms would hold up to our rooms to bring on tur with us and to Holmenkollen.  Enough to last us the whole weekend.

On Friday morning, we woke up pretty early and left with our blazers to go meet the mayor.  We walked all over to try to find where we were going, but eventually got there, had a breakfast of bread and lettuce with salmon, shrimp or eggs on top.  (Fancy, huh?)  Then we went into a meeting room and sat where the representatives sit and had a long talk with the mayor.  He talked a lot about how he thinks women are going to take over the government or at least become a larger part of it.


sitting at one of the desk/tables



Devin, Lauren, me and Jessica at breakfast

Kate and me



the building

the meeting room

Afterwards, we went to the viking ship museum.  I have already been there a couple of times, so it was a repeat for me, BUT I learned so much more with a tour guide.  We learned more about the ships and the skeletons.  It was very interesting!  We also got to put on some viking gear. 

jumping infront of the viking ship

Noellen Norsk, the viking



Me, Laruen, Victoria and Hannah

After the viking ship museum, we went to the Fram museum, which is of a boat that was at both the North and South poles.  It's a giant building that was built around the ship.  You can go inside and see how the people lived and such and we had a guide that told us all about Nansen and the others on the ship.  It was really interesting, but I understand why I'm not THAT adventurous... that was crazy!  On the North Pole trip they left the boat and were gone for almost THREE YEARS. 




the tour guide telling us about Nansen





Lauren and me in front of the ship





the ship and building

Afterwards, we went to another museum and saw a movie showing different parts of Norway and how the sea/ships/fishing affects the life. 

After we saw the movie, we went to a giant mall and went shopping.  Here's an EXTREMELY norwegian advertisement that we saw along with some VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP:

After shopping (I got a pair of pants and a purse) we went bowling!

"Pregnant" Lauren with Fransisco

The next day we went to the WWII museum, the Nobel Peace Center (where I saw some people from New Hampshire) and then to HOLMENKOLLEN! 

Holmenkollen was amazing.  There were thousands of people there and, although we were in the standing section and only got to stay for a few hours, it was really fun.  Lauren, Kate and I stayed together with Lauren and I sitting on a squished cardboard box in the mud.  The energy was high and everyone was routing for someone.  We were routing for Norway (and Canada).

After the long day we ate dinner all together for the last time and I played the piano - while I was playing a vase fell onto the keys and shattered and I sliced my hand, but not very badly, just some blood.  It was hardcore. ;)

On Sunday we visited an old ski jump where the king would even go watch in Skui.  It was so crazy, we got to climb up, too.

 We all had to say goodbye after, but here's one last ginger/ranga picture.  We are called Rangas in Australian English because it's the same color as orangutans. 

Mostly picture post, but I hope you enjoyed anyway! :D