Everyday with Larry is Sweeter than the Day Before: LOJ Goes to Norge

That would be Norway to you. The calendar says Spring…the weather says Texas Winter. With the temperature in the 40’s and rain and wind more often than not the outlook here is not tourist-friendly. Damnit I take these work assignments expecting to see new worlds. So far what I’ve seen has been mainly indoors. Of course it didn’t help that I arrived 9 hours late on Sunday. Thank you Bin Laden, I mean American Airlines.

You know how when you’re waiting to board your plane at the Gate and they say, “Ladies and Gentlemen there is a mechanical issue on the plane…and there will be a one-hour delay…” Okay, no problem…back to the Business Lounge. Then boarding later, getting settled, get the champagne and the warm towel, followed by taxiing and then stopping. “This is the pilot. We have mechanical issues…will have to check them out.” And later, “Ladies and Gentlemen, sorry to report but we have to go back to terminal and find a new plane. In my 12 years of flying these planes I’ve never had to go to 3 planes to get a flight going.” Obviously missed my connection at Heathrow. Bluffed my way into the Admirals Club (was flying Economy to Norway but flashed my Business Class ticket out of DFW) and spent 7 hours there. The Heathrow business lounge is a place I always target since it has free food, drink, internet, tvs, newspapers and comfortable chairs.
Got to Stavanger at 11 pm instead of 2 pm. Head outside to find rental car…only problem is that rain is coming down sideways with the wind whipping out of the North. Eventually make my way to town and find hotel…after two stops to ask directions.
BUT, you didn’t tune in here to read about my travel woes. Which brings the question: What the hell are you doing reading this? Probably because you are intrigued by someone going to Norway. Can I see a raise of hands of everyone that’s been here? That’s what I thought. Now, if there’s just something I could provide that would describe what Norway is like. Hmmmm.

Do you know that people here speak Norwegian? That’s the first obstacle…other than weather. As with most countries outside the USA most people here speak English (very well) in addition to their native language. The problem is the written word. All the local travel guides, newspapers, maps, etc. are in Norwegian. I can handle my job since I have found a good online translator and constantly use it to translate the documents I’m auditing. But, it is me in person that has the problem. Consequently, I keep a low profile.

Today, May 17, in addition to it being Phyllis’ xxth birthday (won’t say how old she is, but she was born in 1952…in the middle of the night. I had to go to the next door neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Turner (or was that when Lori was born?), and had to eat Shredded Wheat for breakfast…still the only time in my short life I’ve done that.) it is Norwegian Independence Day. The country is shut down for day long celebrations. Women dressed in long dresses – blue with red floral trim – and men dressed in suits and ties or bowties and red ribbons. See this, though don’t be fooled by the blue skies: http://www.norway-hei.com/norwegian-national-costumes.html Parades were held all day long here in Stavanger…mostly kids bands and sports teams…with people lining the streets to watch. People are hardy here since they braved the elements to still celebrate their country’s independence.

Staying in a nice little hotel on the outskirts of Town Centre, or Downtown to you. People here at the hotel are nice and friendly. Every afternoon they pull out their wafflemaker and crank out lots of very thin, very wonderfully smelling waffles. First couple of afternoons I avoided, but finally succumbed. OMG. Very delicious…just as good as they smell. Also, coffee maker which I have uncharacteristically taken advantage of every evening because it warms the cockles of my innards.
At any rate, since I’ve been working this week have not had any chance to go out and see countryside, but will this weekend. Have a route I will be following which will include fjords, ferries and such. Have a Prius Hybrid that’s keyless. You have to hold your mouth just right for the engine to start. Sometimes it takes longer than others.

As far as driving, they do so on the ‘right’ side of the road. My assist auditor is from Aberdeen who rides with me because he can’t drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. I told him that’s why I don’t drive in Aberdeen. At any rate, they do have Roundabouts here but they’re easy to navigate when you’re driving on the right side of the road and realize you yield when there’s someone else in there, but when you’re in there you have the right of way. Kinda cool actually.
That’s all I got and will report back later.