Mineral water

In the South in the States, if you ask for a Coke, the response is something like "what kind?" Because Coke means a soft drink (or soda, or pop as one might call it). Similar in Norway. In some regions, the phrase "mineralvann" (mineral water) means any kind of soda. Which really threw me the first time. I thought I was going to get a Perrier, but instead they kept asking me what I wanted to drink.

mouth-watering.... water

Of the 20 countries I have been to, Norway has (hands-down) the most pure and delicious, mouth-watering WATER. The best beverage is the complimentary one that streams pure and clean through the faucet.

saw

Our neighbor was pregnant, past her due date, and Charlotte thought it was time for the baby to come out. She said how do we get the baby out? I told her something way too practical, like it happens naturally when the baby is ready. She asked in return, "maybe we should get the saw?"

a different ice cream truck

It is ice cream trucking with a twist... over here packages of ice cream are sold (usually 12 or more per package) rather than individual treats. The variety is more basic - no pushup pops, rocket pops, sno cones, and the yummy sorbet with the gumball at the bottom. But the vanilla and chocolate pops are delicious!

throw a party

On a long train ride yesterday, Charlotte shows Brian with her three fingers how old she will be this year. Brian naturally asks, "will you throw a party?" and Charlotte replies "No, I not throw up. I am very not sick now."

hole in the middle

Reb and Brian commented that the Norwegian coin with a value of 1 krone that has a hole in the middle is neat. I remember my mom saying the same when she visited. And I have never thought about it, but it is neat. How can there be things so obvious yet we just don't notice? Like Little Denmark. There is a little tiny island just off the shore of the town Sandvika near where we live. I drive the stretch of road that passes the island every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. But I never noticed there was an island there. On Denmark's national holiday, there were some Danes celebrating on the little island. I had a friend in the car as we drove past and she said it looks like there is a party at Little Denmark. I look out the window and am dismayed to find there is an island there that I have never once noticed!

sankthans

Last Tuesday was mid-summer night - or Sankthansaften as it is called here - which is celebrated mostly on the water or the beach. We were lucky to get out on the water and see the "baal" (bonfires) dotting the shore, see all the other boats (it was a solid traffic jam out there), and participate in the pagan indulgence that is good food, good friends, sun, and swimming on the longest day of the year. Of course this used to be a Christian, religious celebration that has now turned into more of a beach and boat party. Charlotte got to sit out on the front of the boat with me, so her day was complete.