Three days of work, now a little play
Trip Start
Dec 18, 2004
1
5
Trip End
Dec 27, 2004
Sandnes,
Norway
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
The flight from Seattle to Stavanger was uneventful, although our connection time was too short to shop at Copenhagens duty free shops. They have a virtual mall at the airport, with all kinds of goodies for sale. Ah well, maybe on the way back.
We have been with the Ravnaas family for three days now, helping Hans' father unpack and organize in his new apartment. The apartment is a very nice two bedroom, near the downtown Sandnes shopping district.
We have already found the local coffee shop - Ost og Kaffie (aka "cheese and coffee") - hmmm, you know, the smell of cheese just does not go with a cappucino, but I should not complain since there are not many choices and they do make a very nice mocha. Sandnes does not have an internet cafe, and the DSL is not hooked up at the apartment yet, so I might not have many entries on this trip.
Here are a few trip highlights so far. We have set up Ingebret's new computer, visited the local IKEA for a computer table, assembled said computer table, hung a few pictures and Hans added a dimmer switch for a ceiling lamp. We have also eaten nearly our body weight in snacks: cookies, cakes, waffles, chocolate, pizza (no lutefisk or sheeps head yet). Every visitor is fed to the stuffing point, and we are no exception. We have yet to make it to the local gym, but we had better go soon or else we will not fit into our seats.
Last night, we ate at a local Asian restaurant and wandered to a nearby pub for a beer. The bartender passed out some complimentary gløgg - a spiced holiday wine - it was warm and very good. Today, Ingebret is hosting a dinner at a local restaurant for the Ravnaas clan. It has been a long time since all the brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews were all in one location - it should be quite fun. There is a blues club nearby that has a show tonight; Hans and I might sneak over there after dinner for some music.
Norwegians celebrate four days of Christmas - lille Juleaften, Juleaften, første Juledag, and andre Juledag; otherwise known as the 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th. Everything is closed on those days, and we will make the rounds to family and friends. We are spending part of today in Stavanger, just wandering around, maybe doing a bit of shopping. Hmmm, perhaps I should buy some pants with an elastic waist today, I am not sure if I packed the right clothes for four days of holiday eating.
