Norway: First Impressions

Wow, it's been nearly two weeks since I came to Norway and it's been a really big adjustment to say the least. After my lovely and extremely uncomfortable sleepover in the Iceland airport where everyone was drinking before their flights, I arrived in Norway! Being the idiot that I am, I did not go to the duty free and stock up on alcohol and other things. I'll get to the ridiculous prices of alcohol later.

I literally walked straight out of the Trondheim airport without a clue as to where to go. I followed people and hopped on a bus that was apparently going to the city center. Already, I could tell this would be a country I'd probably grow to love soon. It helped that I arrived on the one sunny day of the week and it was spectacular! I got dropped off at some random station that I thought was the ''center''...it wasn't. Carrying a 65L backpack with a suitcase and another backpack makes for a good sight, not going to lie.

After about 1.5 hours of shameless tourist map reading, asking people for directions and taking 3 buses, I got to my house! I was expecting a typical share house, so a small room, washroom, living room etc, but I got much more than that! My room is so much more spacious than what I had imagined it to be so that's a huge plus. The stairs are very very narrow. I can tell I'm going to trip on them after a night out soon. So far, I've been alright. Yes, I have my flags up. Represent.

 The rest of the week was just spent trying to navigate the city and exploring everything it has to offer. Since none of my roommates moved in yet, I solo-ed it. It was a bit lonely for the first few days, not going to lie. The only human interaction I got was with cashiers, bank ladies, and post office people. I almost forgot how to speak English properly when I skyped with my friend.

What you see on postcards :) It's the "symbol" of Trondheim as one local told me.

The sentrum (city center) is pretty walkable. I walked all over the little neighbourhoods and landmarks the tourist book told me to do. Pictures to come on facebook.

This past week was a huge orientation week for International Students. We got to take part in a 'Matriculation Ceremony', bbqs, play Klubb (traditional medieval Norwegian game), hike Bymarka, go to the Trondelag Folk Museum, and hike along the fjord located in Trondheim. It sort of sucks I'm living at Steinan, a residence that's further away and with fewer international students. But, it is with a lot more Norwegians and since I'm not here on Exchange, I guess it should benefit me in the long run. Still sucks that all the parties and goings-on are at Moholt. I digress.

Class starts tomorrow. I am terribly unprepared. I have no real clue as to what to do. I've met a few people in my program, so that's good but for the most part NTNU is nothing like UBC. Things are a bit slower, people seem to be a bit disorganized, and there's a lot less communication between the faculty and student. It doesn't help that a lot of offices and stores here close at 3pm.. Again, cultural differences, I'll adapt soon.

To end this, just a few first impressions I have of Norwegians/Trondheim so far. This will be interesting to revisit two years later :) :

• so many young families. Young mothers/fathers EVERYWHERE. And of course, Scandinavian babies are cute as hell. I want to kidnap them.
• A lot of retired/older people here in Trondheim, yet they still bike everywhere.
• Brown Cheese: WTF
• Norwegians are yes, blonde/brunette with blue eyes and very tall. I feel short.
• Everyone has a basic/intermediate grasp of English. Very much appreciated. However, I still can't read nor say anything in Norwegian.
• Groceries are 1.5x as expensive. They have a very limited selection of fresh fruits/veggies. Chicken is like $20/kg.
• People here are pale.
• Alcohol is more than double the price in Canada. A mickey of some domestic brand vodka will cost you at least $30. Beers are ~3.50 each in the stores. Urghh. At least I'll save money this way.
• People are very slim/fit. I haven't seen any guidos or 'roid monkeys at all. Goodbye douchey Vancouver guys.
• The sun is out till 10pm.
• It rains like Vancouver. Like right now. I am sad.

That's it for now. I think.