Scandinavia Lately

Currently, I’m writing from Morgan’s phone as we sit on a rainy train ride from Kristiansand to Stavanger, Norway. We’ve slowed down on our blogging because we’ve been busy figuring out traveling logistics over the past week. Also, we’ve honestly been trying to be more present in the places we’ve been and to not be tied to the phone.

We’ve been traveling almost a full month now, approaching what would be probably the longest either of us has backpacked. A few things have become evident at least to me that I don’t think we’ve experienced on other trips. First, traveling long term is not as easy as one might think. There are quite a few logistics to work out, coming down to where or when your next shower, sleeping situation, or ability to wash your clothes will be. Also, navigating differences in mode of travel, language and culture in multiple countries can be sometimes tricky.

That being said, you have to remain flexible which is something at which I’ve never been very good. Ha. Traveling long term is not vacation. It takes flexibility, patience, humility, and willingness to be open to new things without many of the traditional comforts of the usual weeklong beach vacation. You may wear the same clothes and go without a shower for many days, you may get to sleep for 8 hours one night and practically nothing for the next couple of days. You may not be able to enjoy your usual daily routines the same way as at home. You will have to reach out to people for help in ways that would be uncomfortable perhaps in typical daily life.

However, it’s those very components and ability to just be present for the ride that make it so worth it. Just in the past week, we traveled from the Faroe Islands via ferry for two nights to Denmark. We (mainly me) were starting to get worn down from the constant “go-go-go”, and we were ready for some creature comforts un the form of a real bed and a shower. Just as I was becoming a little disheartened, our kind new German friend Holger who picked us up on the side of the road in the Faroes came and talked to us on the boat. It was very enjoyable, and he shared with us some of his stories of his travels abroad. He even kindly invited us to stay with him in his home in Germany if we were to pass through! It immediately changed my previously gloomy mood.

That conversation even sparked another conversation with Ine from Holland sitting next to us. She shared many stories of her travels throughout the years, living on sometimes very little, but how she wouldn’t trade it for the world. She’s lived all over the world, and it’s been part of what’s shaped her life. She gave us a lot of good advice, and it was a comforting conversation.

This blog post is getting long, but we made it to Denmark and then to Kristiansandland. Remember how I said you have to be open to new experiences? We just had an awesome couple of days in Kristiansand. Tom, Jane, and Smith the cat hosted us on Couchsurfing, and they were great. They are quite passionate about good food and drinks, and it was really fun getting to learn about the history and culture of Norway from them. (Pictured: Mr. Smith, our furry host).By the way, they are awesome cooks!!! They also make really good beer. Look out for Tom’s IPA to take the upcoming regional brewer’s competition by storm.This deserves a new paragraph because it was so…much…fun. we spent the day touring Kristiansand, and we got to go mushroom foraging in the forest only five minutes drive from their home! We mainly went for chanterelle mushrooms, but it was a bounty of amazing foods! We felt like we were on a Destinations Unknown episode as we walked through the forest with Tom explaining all the different berries, mushrooms, and other plants. We ate fresh apples, blueberries, and hazelnuts as we walked through the forest where they still had existing remnants from the German occupation during WWII.After an enjoyable afternoon, we had to enjoy the spoils of our hunt! Tom cooked up some mushroom and cream sauce with sourdough, and it was really good. It also was really exciting to be able to pick and eat your dinner.The two days we spent there were very enjoyable and recharging, and it just goes to show you if you’re willing to step into an unfamiliar situation sometimes, you could end up with two (three counting Smith) new friends! Thank you for opening your home to us, and we look forward to you coming to the US for Jazz Fest next year! : )