Potpourri

Reflections:

       Here I am on my 4^th of (remember: the most beautiful train ride in the world – no argument, but hundreds of tunnels) six trips to Oslo and soon to be my 2^nd Norway in a Nutshell.  I am about ½ way through this adventure and I want to re-cap and recall, evaluate and wish I could adjust.  I am riding 1^st class this time – that is all they had.  The number one seat, in the number one car, sitting with six Germans (under 30).  Everybody has an Ipod on and reading a book, or sleeping.  (so maybe I can hum along with Johnny Cash – without anyone even knowing – so why are they laughing?) 

*I interrupt this message – this is now being written AFTER everything below was written.  I got up from my #1 seat and walked back to the dining car for a change of scenery.  I was all sprawled out – like I like to do – with my shoes off and my feet up on the seat when this pleasant lady came and looked as if she would like to sit there.  I sat up and took my feet off the seat and said “go ahead”.  She smiled and sat down.  Now keep in mind that for a month everyone speaks another language.  Her husband soon followed her and I heard them speaking in English – clue, no American - as they say.  When he left, I said “beautiful day!” or nice view or something.  She said yes and we started talking about their trip to Bergen and the Norway in a Nutshell they had just experienced.  Eventually, I asked where they were from and she said northern California.  I know that can mean just about anywhere but San Francisco.  We kept talking and I eventually pressed and asked again where and she said San Andreas.  NO!  My dear uncle Carl lives in San Andreas.  NO!  Reverend Carl Johnson is Jim Naylor’s golf buddy.  Well who in northern California isn’t uncle Carl’s golf buddy.  But beyond that Polly and Jim sing in the choir with them and Polly knows my aunt Joan real well.  Small world – really.   We sat and talked for close to two hours about all of their wonderful travels over the years, since retirement.  I am just a little surprised I had not run into someone like this before but it sure happened here on the Bergen/Oslo train.  Greetings to all you back in San Andreas/Lodi/Stockton/Las Vegas.  Jim and Polly look well and are doing just fine.  They have worried me just a little because they said it might be a little difficult getting a room in Oslo.  I have not yet made arrangements.  Maybe Marilyn and I should just take the night train back to Bergen.

Marilyn will really love the fact that the flowers – particularly the Rhododendrons – are out in full bloom.

Regrets (few):  Battery management has improved but it has caused a (very) few missed pictures.  Will anyone miss them?  Will anyone even see any of them?

Tonight – of all nights – Magne’s daughter, Johanna, has a violin solo concert (Mousagorski) at – of all places – Trollhaugen.  I MUST get there before I go, I was planning on taking Marilyn Thursday night.  But, what a chance to hear someone with a connection. 

There are a few other (“must do”) items in Bergen, that I have missed. 

I DID make to the top of the funicular, but it was foggy that night – and on a clear day I went ½ way to the top.  The view is spectacular!  And Rigmor showed me her similar view.

I have not taken the “Bergen in a Nutshell” double-decker bus around town. 

There is also a funky little “toy” train that tours town, with a commentary; I haven’t taken that.

There are numerous museums that I have not yet set foot in.  Either they aren’t open or I am out of town.  Hanson’s disease (Leprosy) has a museum in town.  The Hanseatic Museum, etc.  Oh well.

I haven’t done any harbor tours – I may do that with the boys in Oslo.

I also hoped  to get to Stavanger.......maybe next time.

Here is a REAL regret.  Only that I should have done it sooner and made more progress on my name research.  Yesterday I had the bright idea to look up Hammerborg in the Bergen phone book.   Lo and Behold, there is a Stig Morton Hammersborg.  I was at Magne’s home for a wonderful salmon dinner and before I knew it, he had him on the phone.  I talked with him a little – I should have made a coffee appointment – I should have talked with him more.  He told Magne the “family farm” is near and around Valor – east of Oslo.  Today we did some googling and found about a dozen Hammersborgs.  Now, my plan is to write them all and ask for further information.  Maybe the family will agree to end this adventure with a short tour of that region east of Oslo.  That would be where Grandma Amelia came from, as well.

This is all to say that as you know, if you have been reading this blog regularly, I have not been at all idle, but there are so many other things I could have accomplished or done here had I had more time or if I had different priorities.  There is no “fault”.  Just the opposite.  I have so much to be thankful for to Trygve & Lise, Terje Storesund, Magne Asnes and his generous family, Karl Erik Larsen (whom I ran into last night and he generously offered even more hospitality), Hillevi & Hjalmar, George Myrhvold,  Anne Martinsen, and on and on.  Thank you, for a most rewarding and rich, educational experience.

Takk Skal Du Ha!