Norway: Second time is the charm

Post date: Mar 17, 2020 2:55:11 PM

One of the best things about studying with an international crowd is that I now have friends all over the world. I had already been up to see Sarah and Marius in Norway a few year ago but: 1) it was in the spring and 2) it was two years ago.

We had talked about meeting up for Christmas this year, but they were in Arkansas and I was in Southern California. But that plan sparked a new plan: come to Norway in January for a long ski weekend.

And so I flew to Oslo, took the train to Lillehammer, where Marius met me with the car (and admonished my shoe choice, because I was wearing chucks and hadn’t switched to my snow boots yet). We then drove about an hour north to a cabin in the middle of not-a-lot to veg out and cross-country ski for the weekend.

It was delightful. Not just because these are two of my favorite people (they are) but because Norway is also one of my favorite countries to visit.

The cabin was tiny and it was bleak when we arrived.

But Sarah and I immediately brightened things up by doing a photo shoot:

While Marius broke into the cabin (long story involving us potentially being in someone else’s living space?).

Once inside we set about the arduous task of relaxing. We made dinner, drank beer, and generally caught up.

The fun thing about traveling with these two is that they are both VERY type A personalities. They have a plan. They execute the plan. Which is great, because although I asked if I could help out with the cooking and cleaning, they had a plan. And needed to execute the plan. They preferred if I chilled on the couch. Can. Do.

The following morning Marius waxed our skis (which you need to wax differently depending on the conditions, and set out a route.

I love skiing and snowboarding. I like snowshoeing. I like tromping through the snow, and generally being outside when the white stuff is on the ground. But I had never been cross-country skiing before. I can now confirm that it was delightful.

Sarah took these photos so I would look “hard core”. I think I just look like I have a big butt.

Sarah said when they first started dating, Marius used to take her cross country skiing. They would ski out and then stop and Marius would make them sausages while Sarah sat on an inflatable seat. Sarah thought it was delightful, until she learned that that’s what you do with little kids, to get them motivated to keep going or do it again.

For the record, I was not offered treats. I think they would have helped with my motivation.

But while we were skiing we passed a little girl, her dad and her grandfather (I’m assuming based on age and familial resemblance). When she got to the top of a small hill (which involved her grandfather pushing while her dad pulled her) she spotted chocolate in a nearby tree! What a treat for getting up there!

Again, this technique was not used by Marius to motivate me, although it would have worked.

But like most snowsports the scenery is gorgeous, and being out away from most people, moving along powered by your own muscles is really awesome.

At some point Sarah and I had had enough and we stopped to do a photo shoot.

It was a lovely weekend, full of fun in the snow and cuddling in the warm cabin with friends.

Until next time Norway!