Some of the everyday

I’m sitting on our back balcony enjoying the end of a beautiful, sunny, spring day in Stavanger. Rory and I (Stepler is on a field trip in England) spent most of our day outside enjoying the wonderful weather. This morning we went for a run around Mosvatnet Lake. Then we met two of Stepler’s co-workers and their families at the Arboretum for a picnic lunch and a bit of wandering through the grounds. Rory really liked picking flowers (weeds) during our walk and kept us moving at a very sloooow pace.

I haven’t given much or any detail about out daily activities lately so I’ll try for a quick recap of our last week. It was a nice week as we both had the opportunity to socialize with others several times.

On Monday Rory and I went to our last Lille Gym class before summer break. It’s too bad that it ended so quickly, because Rory was having a lot of fun there. If it works with our schedule, we’ll start again in the fall. The last class had a summer vacation theme – with one half of the room “underwater” and the other half “on the beach”. Rory liked the “underwater” side best because it had a small pool of water that she could play in and pretend to fish. She liked the pool so much that I had to pull her away from it so that she could try some of the climbing and jumping activities.

Tuesday was my first Norwegian Pilates class and Rory’s first time in the gym’s kids’ room. It went well for both of us. The class was all in Norwegian, but I was able to follow along. I was very sore on Wednesday though!

Wednesday we joined several moms and their young children for coffee at the French café. The restaurant was fairly empty early in the morning so the children were able to wander among the tables without bothering anyone while the moms chatted and enjoyed their coffee. After coffee we went to the butcher shop for the first time to get hamburger meat. Rory charmed the butcher with her smile and he gave her a hot dog. She was shy though and didn’t want to eat it in front of him. The hamburgers were that night’s supper and were the best we’ve had since arriving in Norway – other hamburger meat has been a bit chewy.

After dropping Stepler off at the airport on Thursday morning Rory and I headed to the big grocery store. But because it wasn’t open right after dropping Stepler off, we stopped at a nearby park. I wanted to go there because the Friday playgroup is going to start meeting there next week and I wanted to be sure I could find it. We didn’t get to explore the park much because it started sprinkling and we weren’t really prepared to be out in the rain. But by then the grocery store was open. I can find almost everything I want there – including tofu. At the grocery store we ran into one of the moms from the coffee – Stavanger really is like a small town!

Friday morning we went to the international playgroup on one of the islands for the first time. Many of the same people from Wednesday’s coffee were there. The group meets in a large room in a community center and there are lots of toys for the children to play with. Including two Flintstone type cars which were everyone’s – including Rory – favorites. After playgroup our day was pretty much done because Rory was so tired. After nap and before supper we did manage to sneak in a few minutes on our playground.

Hikes

We're getting truly settled in and decided that it's time to start getting out and about for more than just everyday errands. Stepler had this past Thursday off so we took a short hike. We'd heard that the hike to Dalsnuten was nice because it offered a great view of the entire Stavanger area - particularly rewarding for newcomers because it allowed us to see all the places we've driven to and heard about over the past several weeks.

We were the first ones to arrive at the parking lot! There was a map at the beginning of the trail and the trail was well marked so we had no trouble finding our way. It was easy going at first, to a pond and through a sheep pasture. Things got a little more difficult as we started heading upward, but we made it - even with Stepler carrying Rory in the "Kangakid" backpack. The view from the top was great and would have been even better if we'd been lucky enough to have a clear day. But we could still see the Stavanger harbor and all the other little towns that surround Stavanger. It was quite windy at the top so after some pictures and a quick snack we were ready to head back down. For the hike down we took another path down and it was a bit easier. There were even planks laid down so that we did not have to walk through mud. When we got back to the parking lot there were at least 30 other cars there. A Starbucks on the way home would have really been perfect, but no Starbucks here and besides that there was nothing open because of the holiday.

Since we'd tried Rory out in the backpack on Thursday we thought a longer, more difficult hike was in order for Sunday. But first we went to a candle factory. At least that's how it had been described to us. More store, less factory, no factory actually. But the store did have a lot of cool candles, a Christmas shop, a giant troll that scared Rory a bit at first and it offered the chance to create your own candle by dipping a white one in wax. There was a small children's area outside with goats and more trolls. We had lunch in the restaurant attached to the shop. It was pretty tasty and seemed Norwegian. I had lamb, potato casserole, carrots and broccoli. Stepler had meatballs, boiled potatoes and some sort of mashed pea. Rory shared with us and also had a pancake with the traditional Norwegian toppings of raspberry jam and sour cream. As we were walking back to our car we noticed antique trucks coming down the road, they just kept coming, then they turned into the candle factory parking lot and then there was an old bus - Rory loved it!

On our way to the parking lot to begin the hike to the Manafossen Waterfall we went through a very, very long tunnel. Longer than any tunnel I've ever been through before. This time when we arrived at the parking lot there were lots of other people there. We got Rory all loaded up in the backpack. She seemed very excited to get in the backpack saying, "backpack, in." According to the sign this hike was pretty short, but fairly steep. First we had to go up a steep rocky hill. The most challenging part of that was the rocks. This path was also well marked and had chains as handrails for us to hold

on as we went up the steeper parts. We were rewarded with two overlooks with great views of the waterfall. After seeing the waterfall we continued on to Man. On our way there we went over a bridge that also offered a stunning view of the waterfall. Once we got to Man we were able to see a valley that had once been farm land. We stopped again to see the waterfall on the way back down. My legs were shaky on the way down! While Rory enjoyed the hike and seeing the water, she was ready to get out of the backpack.

May 17th pictures

Syttende Mai

The 17th of May.  Norwegian Independence Day.

Almost as soon as we arrived in Stavanger we began hearing about the holiday.  The two main things that we learned were that 1) people dress up for the holiday and 2) a lot of ice cream is consumed.  At the post office one day last week we picked up a schedule of the festivities and made plans to attend the first parade of the day.  I bought syttende mai napkins and a small Norwegian flag for Rory to wave at that parade.   

Sunday morning we got dressed up - Rory and me in dresses and Stepler in a suit and tie - and followed the stream of people down to the city center for the parade.  Many of the Norwegians (particularly the women) were wearing traditional clothing, bunads.   The first parade is made up of students from the various schools marching down the street carrying Norwegian flags while singing and cheering.  A few of the schools had marching bands which Rory particularly enjoyed.  

After the parade we went through the market area where food, candy, balloons and trinkets were sold.  We bought Rory and red, white and blue pinwheel that she enjoyed carrying for the rest of the day.  I was quite tempted by the ice cream, but it was cold.  So I got a 7-11 coffee instead.  

We returned home for lunch.  Continuing our celebration of the day we had grillposers, Norwegian hot dogs.  Not quite the same as American hot dogs, but they were okay.  Rory really enjoyed them, saying "hot dog" again and again and eating and entire hot dog!

After Rory's nap we decided to go to the final parade of the day.  When we got to the spot where we wanted to watch the parade people were already lining the streets.  This parade included many community bands and all sorts of sports clubs and after-school activity groups - soccer, handball, badminton, swimming, dance, drama and many others.  I'm glad that we got out again for the final parade because it was much livelier than the first.  It was quite long though and when there was a break in the action we headed back home.  

Mother's Day

We had a nice, quiet, low-key Mother's Day last Sunday.    

After Rory's afternoon nap we walked to the city center to get Chinese take-away.  We took the long, slow route through Old Stavanger - stopping at a couple of playgrounds along the way.  Rory had a great time running down the cobblestone streets and playing.

  

  

Fredag

Another cruise ship came in to the harbor today. This one was not as big as the first, but it did have a face painted on the front/side of it.  We all walked down to the harbor to take a closer look at it.  

Tonight we ate supper on the terrace for the first time.  It is very nice up there, but with the wind it is still a little too cold for me.   

What a day!

Yesterday (Monday, May 11th) was quite a day. A cruise ship out our window, Lille Gym and a school band marching down our street. 

There was a cruise ship outside our window early Monday morning.  Throughout the summer cruise ships stop for the day in the Stavanger harbor.  It was huge!  I didn't think to take a

picture until it was leaving though.  

On Monday mornings, Rory and I attend Lille Gym.  It's sort of like a Gymboree class - with a warm-up song, free-play on

various activities such as trampolines, climbing structures and slides and ending with a game and songs.  Rory has a great time and  it's an opportunity for me to meet other moms.  Rory got a t-shirt the day we signed up and wore it to class  yesterday.

While we were eating supper we heard the sounds of a marching band and Stepler looked out the window.  There was a band marching down the street - a busy street.  They had no escort other than their teachers and no regard for the cars in the street.  Rory really enjoyed the band and wanted more.  We think they were practicing for the parades on Sunday to celebrate Norwegian Independence Day.  We're planning on going to watch the parades.  We've heard it's quite a celebration.   

Picnik collages

Rory's first hair cut -- April, 9, 2009

Easter 2009

Hanging out at the Detroit Airport -- April 15, 2009

Enjoy the weather – Sunday, April 19, 2009

The beginning and end of the nice weather said a Norwegian yesterday.  I hope not.  But we have enjoyed great weather this weekend.  On Saturday we had lots of errands, but we walked to all of them so it was quite nice.  I learned that I cannot get a cell phone (pushing for an i-Phone!) without at least a temporary work number.  That’s quite a downer as it expected to take four-six weeks to get that.  Saturday night we went to Chris’ birthday party and met several other ex-pat couples.  With our hosts’ okay we brought Rory along and she was the only child there so I’m sure they were all glad that we were the first to leave.

Today we enjoyed a walk to and around Mosvatnet Lake in Stavanger.  At our leisurely pace and not knowing exactly where we were going, it took about two hours.  After lunch we played at our apartment’s playground and then tried to put Rory down for a nap.  Not successful with that because she’d napped a bit at the end of our morning walk.  Stepler gave me a driving lesson in the Marathon building’s parking lot.  We’ve rented a car with a manual transmission because we’re considering buying a manual.  I’m going to need lots of practice to get my skills back.

While waiting for our Thai take-away we played at a playground made from old parts of oil rigs.  It’s mostly for bigger kids, but Rory did enjoy crawling through the pipeline.  Tonight Rory's bedtime routine was right on schedule as if we were living our normal life in Houston – which we have not done for a month now.  So we’ll see how the night goes.  All in all she’s adjusted really well to the big time difference and to all the other upheaval of late.                      

The third time’s the charm -- Friday, April 17, 2009

Monday was the day.  The day we were to leave for Norway.  We loaded up the cars (yep, it took cars to hold all our stuff!) and headed for the Tallahassee airport.  There was some serious rain and tornado threats cancelling our flight to Memphis.  So we loaded back up, this time stuffing everything in Mama’s car so Ali could go home and went back to Cairo.  This delay did allow us to have our Zaxbys meal that we’d been wanting.  Mmmmm – wings & things. 

On Tuesday we tried again.  This time our flight out of Tallahassee was still a go, but it had been delayed.  We were getting nervous….but were repeatedly reassured that we’d make our flight to Amsterdam.  Then we were repeatedly told they’d hold the flight for us because there were eight of us on the plane that were going to Amsterdam.  Arriving in Memphis we could see our plane to Amsterdam – by far the biggest airplane at the airport.  I kept it in my sight as we got off the plane and walked inside, it was still just parked at the gate.  But as we ran through the Memphis airport I was pretty sure that I saw it start moving.  Stepler got ahead of me in the race through the airport (I was carrying Rory and a few other things) and he made it to the gate before me.  The plane had not been held and was off for Amsterdam without us.  

So we spent the night in a Memphis hotel and on Wednesday morning flew off to Detroit.  We made it to Detroit with plenty of time to spare – we had lunch and watched a dancing fountain.  Then we boarded our plane and were finally on our way to Europe.  Business class is not the same when flying with a baby, but it still loads better than economy class – where I’m sure I’ll be flying for all subsequent trips across the Atlantic – except for the last one home that Marathon pays for again.  Rory was very good and slept during the sleeping part of the plane ride and even through breakfast right up until just before time to land.  Once in Amsterdam we relaxed a little in the KLM Lounge and Rory had breakfast.  She ate like she hadn’t eaten in days - and hasn’t eaten that well since then.  The flight to Stavanger was easy and then we had to collect our seven bags.  Our taxi driver thought he wouldn’t be able to get it all in his minivan, but somehow it all fit.  We were met by Rita with the relocation company when we arrived at our temporary apartment.  She helped us get our stuff in and showed us the apartment.  She also arranged for a portable crib for Rory because our air shipment was delayed and is not here yet.  Thank goodness for the crib because Rory slept for 14 straight hours on Thursday night.

Stepler went off to work this morning around 8:30.  Rory and I met him and his co-worker Chris and Chris’ wife, Liz, for lunch today.  And now Rory and I are back at the apartment and she’s napping.    

people are curious?

I'm going to try to really get started at this blog - we are getting settled in so I should be able to make some time for it.  I hear "people are curious."  Ha!  Two people.  

Rory and I went to a Marathon wives' lunch today.  It was a nice chance to meet some new people.  Now Rory is napping!  She needs it though since she didn't go to bed until 10:oo last night.  So unlike her.  We're all going to check out a car tonight (everything is open late on Thursdays).  We've got a rental car for now, but our time with it is running out.   

I did write some posts back when we were in our temporary apartment and didn't have internet access.  And didn't have boxes to unpack.  I'll get those up too.