I’ve made it to the first farm here in Norway. The trip on the ferry from Denmark was interesting, but really quite uneventful. It was my first real trip by boat on my travels so far. I was glad when it was over. I’m not the biggest fan of boats any more.
The fun really started when I got to Oslo and couldn’t contact Ingunn, my first wwoof host here in Norway. When I rang the home number, the phone service kept saying it was disconnected. The problem was, I hadn’t been in the best email contact with Ingunn to let her know when I was coming, if I was coming, if I could come, etc. Do I just get to Bjorkelangen without double-checking? I didn’t want to stay in Oslo – probably one of the most expensive cities to stay in. I decided to try to get to Bjorkelangen. The train system is a pleasure and the bus system is highly organized and efficient as well. And … ha ha … everyone speaks perfect English! I was the only person on the bus going to Bjørkelangen, and the bus driver and I had a pretty good conversation about traveling, his dreams to visit the US and politics in Norway and Sweden.
I’ll just say that I got to Bjorkelangen, walked around the small town and couldn’t find a phone. It was almost 10 pm. I can’t say I was the least bit concerned. I felt so safe in this small rural town. It was nice. Everything was closed. I walked toward the center of town and asked a few people who were drinking wine on the trunk of their car if there was a phone nearby. They didn’t know, but one of the guys lent me his mobile phone. Still no answer at either of Ingunn’s numbers. Hmmm. I walked back in the direction of the hotel and wondered if it was actually open and was looking for spots on the street, under the overhangs of buildings, for a place to pitch my sleeping back for the night if it came to that. I got to the hotel and on the door the sign said the doors are locked at 21:00. It also said a room is 910 Kroner a night. Yikes. Way out here in nowheresville, a room is $160 US a night. Holy shit.
I tried the door and it opened. I walked around the corner and someone saw me come up to the reception desk. The owner, who is quite a character – a Portuguese Norwegian – came through the door and asked if I needed a room. I told him I was kind of stuck, that I was hoping to find a farm, but couldn’t seem to contact them. He asked what the farm was called and the name of the farmer … he’d heard of them and knows who Ingunn is. First he tried a couple of his friends on the phone who he thought might know the farmer better. No luck. Then he called information to find out the private home number – it was the same number I had. Shit. Then he tried the number – and Ingunn answered!! They talked for a while and every once in a while he’d look at me and translate bits of the conversation. He said Ingunn was at home, but didn’t have a car to come get me. So, he looked at me and said I was a lucky guy, and that he’d been drinking, so he couldn’t drive, but his wife can drive me to the farm. Sweet!
I had told the bus driver my situation on the way. He said I could probably ask almost anyone in town about Ingunn at Frilund GÃ¥rd and they’d know her. And, it was true. I absolutely love that about small towns.
So, the farm is nice. It’s about 22 acres. Very small veg garden. Bigger than Mike & Janine’s, but smaller than Paola’s. They’re growing several fields of oats and wheat, but not much of either compared to the large operations surrounding them. I think the six milking cows are the main operation. I don’t have many details other than that. I spent today walking around, talking to Ingunn while she milked the cows (with a a fancy automated milker machine system thing), harvesting peppermint and helping weed the herb garden. That was all before lunch and she gave me the afternoon off. This evening we drove to a lake nearby and Ingunn and Marabell (her son Ivran’s girlfriend) went for a swim. I didn’t go in … the water was cold and I didn’t feel like freezing my ass off!
It’s good to be here. Norway is beautiful and Ingunn and everyone I’ve met so far on my travels have been excellent. I’m looking forward to my time here! Oh … and we have high-speed internet access! wooo hooo!