We left Arendal early this morning. I wish we would have had more time to visit Ruth and Morgan because Ruth is very worried if I write a book about life in Norway, my perspective might be skewed from my experiences this past year with the folks that live in Sunnmøre (the region surrounding Aalesund.) Ruth says they are “special.” (I noticed she also used that word in describing other people - and it wasn’t used in a positive way.) She says those who live in Sunnmøre in no way reflect the lives of the average Norwegians. Each area has its own “reputation,” she says, but I didn’t find out what they all are except that those from way up north swear a lot but are very kind people – according to Ruth. Ok, then. I might have to live in Norway a bit longer before I write a book because I’m sure the whole of Norway would not be happy with me, from what I heard from Ruth, if I portray them to be like those we know and love in Sunnmøre. I found out soon after arriving at our destination today, that the people in Telemark (down south) actually chill their pop before they drink it. Here I thought everyone in Norway drank pop at room temperature, but apparently, that’s one of the little quirks that Sunnmøre people do. I have so much to learn.
After an hour long drive east along the southern coast, we stopped off in the popular little tourist town of Kragerø (see photo). It’s as cute as can be but very pricey. Our friends, Emmanuel and Ledto, from our English speaking Bible study group on Monday nights, were moved to Kragerø three weeks ago. We promised we’d stop in and see how they are doing and they couldn’t have been more pleased to see us. They have a beautiful two bedroom apartment with every window overlooking the sea. They have it good. For two years the Kommune here will pay for all their expenses, give them language lessons and additional education if they need it in order to find a job because they are asylum seekers. Emmanuel (pushing the baby carriage in the photo) used to be a pastor in his home country of Eritrea and spent time in jail for his Christianity. They didn’t know when they moved to Kragerø that many others from Eritrea were also living there. Emmanuel wasted no time and has already started a church in his home in his native tongue. The local Pentecostal church is supportive of his efforts and offered him free use of their facilities if his church grows. Emmanuel is certain it will, (four people have already accepted Christ) so God had a plan in moving them there, even though they were sad to leave all their friends behind in Aalesund. It was so great to see them and their new baby and to see how good they have it. Ledto made us a nice lunch and we had an inspiring visit with them before heading out of town.
Another hour on the road brought us to Slaattehaugen, the farm where Kory’s father was born and raised. If one has a need for speed, driving in Telemark will never satisfy it. The road getting here was so narrow, curvy and bumpy there was no use for speed cameras. Self preservation was all I could think about. We came here to visit Hallvard, Kory’s cousin’s son who now owns the farm. Kory has long desired to do some work on the old house, so this is his chance.
It was in the high 80s today – too hot for me. I was thankful for the massive trees surrounding the houses (old and new) once we arrived at Slaatthaugen. They have a trampoline under a large “asp” tree and it was calling my name. I laid down on it and fell asleep right away. When I woke up Kory and Hallvard were sitting in the shade of the old house talking about what to repair first. There was something very romantic and surreal about waking up in such a significant place on such a warm summer afternoon. The pace here is slower. Life is simple. There are rolling hills covered in wheat and rye as far as the eye can see. Evergreen trees cover the highest peaks. Only a few houses in the distance add dimension to the landscape. It’s almost magical. I asked Hallvard what he knew about some of the old books and papers inside the old house. He’d never looked at them. No one has lived in the old house for nearly forty years and the dust covering everything backed up that fact. He went in the house with me and just like in some mysterious old movie he wiped his hand over the thick layers of dust on a stack of yellowed papers and books and took them outside. We sat at a table in the shade and read through letters and cards, receipts and tax records. Most of the letters written were from one family member to another expressing the one’s concern for the other’s soul. Christianity and God were the dominant theme in them all. We found books from the 1800s and an old school book from 1921 that once belonged to Kory’s father. We also found a Christmas card from the 1950s that Kory’s mother sent to his father’s sister who was the last one to live in the house before it was abandoned in 1956. The entire farm was vacant for 13 years until Kory’s cousin, Gunnar, built a new house and moved in with his family of ten children, the youngest of which is Hallvard.
After an hour long drive east along the southern coast, we stopped off in the popular little tourist town of Kragerø (see photo). It’s as cute as can be but very pricey. Our friends, Emmanuel and Ledto, from our English speaking Bible study group on Monday nights, were moved to Kragerø three weeks ago. We promised we’d stop in and see how they are doing and they couldn’t have been more pleased to see us. They have a beautiful two bedroom apartment with every window overlooking the sea. They have it good. For two years the Kommune here will pay for all their expenses, give them language lessons and additional education if they need it in order to find a job because they are asylum seekers. Emmanuel (pushing the baby carriage in the photo) used to be a pastor in his home country of Eritrea and spent time in jail for his Christianity. They didn’t know when they moved to Kragerø that many others from Eritrea were also living there. Emmanuel wasted no time and has already started a church in his home in his native tongue. The local Pentecostal church is supportive of his efforts and offered him free use of their facilities if his church grows. Emmanuel is certain it will, (four people have already accepted Christ) so God had a plan in moving them there, even though they were sad to leave all their friends behind in Aalesund. It was so great to see them and their new baby and to see how good they have it. Ledto made us a nice lunch and we had an inspiring visit with them before heading out of town.
Another hour on the road brought us to Slaattehaugen, the farm where Kory’s father was born and raised. If one has a need for speed, driving in Telemark will never satisfy it. The road getting here was so narrow, curvy and bumpy there was no use for speed cameras. Self preservation was all I could think about. We came here to visit Hallvard, Kory’s cousin’s son who now owns the farm. Kory has long desired to do some work on the old house, so this is his chance.
It was in the high 80s today – too hot for me. I was thankful for the massive trees surrounding the houses (old and new) once we arrived at Slaatthaugen. They have a trampoline under a large “asp” tree and it was calling my name. I laid down on it and fell asleep right away. When I woke up Kory and Hallvard were sitting in the shade of the old house talking about what to repair first. There was something very romantic and surreal about waking up in such a significant place on such a warm summer afternoon. The pace here is slower. Life is simple. There are rolling hills covered in wheat and rye as far as the eye can see. Evergreen trees cover the highest peaks. Only a few houses in the distance add dimension to the landscape. It’s almost magical. I asked Hallvard what he knew about some of the old books and papers inside the old house. He’d never looked at them. No one has lived in the old house for nearly forty years and the dust covering everything backed up that fact. He went in the house with me and just like in some mysterious old movie he wiped his hand over the thick layers of dust on a stack of yellowed papers and books and took them outside. We sat at a table in the shade and read through letters and cards, receipts and tax records. Most of the letters written were from one family member to another expressing the one’s concern for the other’s soul. Christianity and God were the dominant theme in them all. We found books from the 1800s and an old school book from 1921 that once belonged to Kory’s father. We also found a Christmas card from the 1950s that Kory’s mother sent to his father’s sister who was the last one to live in the house before it was abandoned in 1956. The entire farm was vacant for 13 years until Kory’s cousin, Gunnar, built a new house and moved in with his family of ten children, the youngest of which is Hallvard.
