Jeff and I were like small children, pressing our faces against the cold train window, pointing out Ikea-esque buildings and quaint farms. We exchanged few words, but the looks of excitement spoke more then any conversation could have.
I know at some point during our train ride across the country of Norway, we ate lunch. Oddly enough, I do not recall what it was. Apple, perhaps? I can tell you, however, the interesting lunch our Scandinavian friends ate:Multi-grain brain
Slices of a Swiss-like cheese
Fruit
Hot beverage
Without saying a word to her companion, the woman pulled out a handkerchief from her nap sack and the thermos. She arranged lunch on the train's plastic table, pouring the steaming liquid into small cups and placing the food on colorful linens. They ate silently, hardly exchanging looks. Isn't it amazing what sticks with you?
We finally arrived at our destination, Mydral. Realizing we had arrived and there was over a few feet of snow on the ground, fear gripped my stomach. What if we came all this way, over the Atlantic, over the snow-covered countryside of Norway for our trip to be canceled? As you're probably beginning to see, fear plagued me early on and I allowed it to become our travel partner.
We stepped out onto the platform into the frigid air and followed the few people who exited along with us: over the original platform, across a small patch of land and onto another train platform. After exchanging a few quizzical looks, everyone boarded a smaller, older train. After choosing seats towards the front of the vessel, the conductor began the train and our tour.This old-fashioned train, complete with the chugging and the choo-choo, wove in and out of mountains overlooking small towns and farms. The views from the train were breath-taking, as well as the height and cold air.
The conductor pointed out historical facts and would stop at frozen waterfalls and overlooks, allowing everyone time to exit, snap a few pictures and board again.
The train reached it's destination at Flam, where a small gift shop, post office and internet awaited us. After sending out a few much needed emails (not about the camcorder, of course) and mailing out post cards, we walked around the property overlooking the fjord. After an hour, Jeff and I boarded our ship, along with another couple from England. With it's four passengers, the ship disembarked on its journey through the fjord.
We headed for the deck, braving the harsh wind to watch the ship navigate waters the Vikings frequented hundreds of years ago. The Norwegian winter is not a kind one, blistering winds and an early sunset, whose combination soon made standing on the deck impossible.The British couple, Jeff and I headed for the lower cabins, but as the evening drew nearer, watching out the windows, soon too was not an option. We had a pleasant conversation with our traveling mates, but eventually the four of us were rocked to sleep in the belly of our Norwegian boat.
After our brief nap and docking, the four of us boarded a bus which wove through the other set of mountains to another train headed for Bergen. The bus ride was part of the tour, but due to their early sunsets, the ride became an opportunity to learn a little more about our British companions and bus driver instead of picture taking.
We boarded yet another train and headed into the night for Bergen, which rests on the western shore of Norway. Anxious to explore, we set out to tour Bergen by moonlight.
We traveled through the old town, taking in the Christmas decorations which illuminated store fronts and streets. Jeff and I knew that food was soon a necessity, so we stopped at a little street vendor for sausages and free lemonade. The free lemonade soon have been a give away as to the quality of food we were consuming. Unfortunately, it was not until our overnight train ride back to Oslo did we realize.
