5th of March was our annual tour/ski day in office. The possibilities were to join downhill or cross country ski or a hiking tour. I chose the third option. I will write and share my experience in another post. For now it’s the tree on the top.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Becca’s Sunday Trees
Maybe that’s the best part of going away for a vacation-coming home again. ~Madeleine L’Engle
Chase your dreams but always know the road that will lead you home again ~Unknown to me
Spectacular view of Bergen city from Stoltzekleiven, which is one of the most popular trails in Bergen. It is a steep paved trail and stairs with approximately 722 steps up to Sandviksfjellet. Sandviksfjellet is one of the traditional seven mountains that surround the city centre of Bergen.
Every year on May 17, Norwegians shed their typically reserved shell to dress up, hit the streets and party. It’s a day full of national pride, yet there’s no displays of military power and the politicians keep quiet. Norway’s Constitution Day is all about the children.
The lack of military parades is perhaps the most notable difference about Norway’s Constitution Day compared to many other countries around the world. Instead, the main parade is full of children from local schools, often in marching bands. Proud parents watch on with smartphone cameras at the ready before joining a people’s parade later in the day.
Some highlights of the day’s parade.
Also joining the people’s parade are Norway’s high school graduates. Known as russ, they are easy to spot in their brightly-colored overalls. On May 17, they are likely to be taking it easy as the day marks the culmination of a two-week period of partying that is seen as a rite-of-passage by most Norwegians.
I was invited for tradition brunch/lunch with a norwegian family. I met the 94 years grandma, a fantastic enthusiastic lady. She is still actively living in her own house. She talked about flowers, garden, grocery shopping and even she told us about her country tour on bicycle during war time.
The whole event reminds me of celebrating festivals in India. The table was full of fantastic traditional dishes. Members of extended family paying small visits and tasting the food. It was a sunny day and as we were sitting outside, passing neighbours were stopping by for a moment and some even dropped in and enjoyed their share of champagne. All in all it was a fantastic day for everyone.
My contribution for Jo’s Monday walk and lens-artists-photo-challenge as I see the parade an example of lively street art.
Reference article:
For Lens-artists-photo-challenge I shall share my routine travel shots though earlier I thought of sharing my captures at cafes in Malaga. oops cafe shots have to wait now 🙂
Yesterday I travelled again and I realized these images show “my” routine moments. I couldnot resist showing them again. Hope you enjoy them.
A book in hand but my eyes are looking out for such cosy settings.
Not all shots are perfect.
My routine mistake due the “speed”. 1/nth second late and the focus changes.
The trees and the small boats are my favourite subjects when watching reflections.
One might not find them great but these are my real routine moments 🙂
For Jo’s Monday walk, today we shall take a tour to a farming village called Lærdal in Norway where major agriculture production includes potatoes, apricots, oats, raspberries and most of all cherries. Sweet cherries or Morello cherries, originally from China now grown in Norway are popular and are sold in majority of grocery stores in Norway. The cherry production in this region is more than 200 tons and accounts for half of the total cherry production in Norway.
To learn about Norwegian farm life and its challenges we took a guided tour/walk with one of the renowened farmers of this region. His talk also includes the following topics:
Long growing season, soft light, good soil and plenty of fresh water give the cherries the good taste. Cherries or Moreller tastes best when they have a deep dark red color and kept on room temperature.
The Norwegian agriculture has by far the strictest rules. It’s one of the reasons why one can safely eat cherries and other norwegian proctuct. Our tour also included
