catching up

Hello
Today I will catch you up on my journey thus far....

Arrived on Thursday, Sept. 1 - got settled into apartment and did some grocery shopping - lie awake till 3:30











Friday, Sept. 2 - First day at UMB (University of Life Science) I met with Doug who is loaning me his bike while I am here - a nice gentleman who is part of the grounds/facilities management crew. Of course, the bike is now named "Doug".










After, I met with team - Ruth, Grete and Camilla. In meeting we determined that I will begin my work by developing curriculum for spring HT course and networking with others in area.
After meeting I was given a tour of campus and had lunch with three other Landscape Architecture students.









End of the day was exploring more of campus and biked around town. This is a map of the campus









This is one of the classrooms in the original building from 1859. The building has pig, cow, horse and sheep heads on the front of entrance. Lots of Norwegian granite and marble everywhere.
















Saturday, Sept. 3 - Grete picked me up to swim at a local pool - along with her two sons and friend - it was a lovely pool with a wonderful sauna. After I returned home, I got dressed and prepared for first adventure into Oslo - spent 8 hours exploring the east section of city mostly walking in the rain (P.S.Happy 16th Anniversary Tim and Me). Here are some photos of the experience.












Train station in As










Outside of Central Station and a typical street scene - it was very wet and rainy day.











Of course I had to go to the Oslo Botanik Garden. Here is the entrance sign and their garden for people who are blind.









This last is of the train station in Oslo heading back to As.


Sunday, Sept. 4 - Got up early and went to Agriculture Museum on campus. After looking at museum, I investigating at the Student Fitness center - they offer both pilates and yoga classes. After I walked up to the animal barns and spent time with the goats - so many little friends there to greet me - was a terrific time. Here are some photos of these little critters.














The last part of my afternoon was spent with the "mushroom control" - a group of community members trained to examine whether a mushroom was safe to eat or not. Locals come to these control sites and bring their baskets of mushrooms and these folks look them over and say yes or not to eat. Here I learned I'll be able to go on the next "hunt" on the 17th.

Below are pictures of the "controllers", a display of all the good mushrooms, and the lovely Chantrelle mushroom that is in large supply this year because of all the rain.














I got home, took shower and then was picked up by Camilla and we drove to Drobak and met Ruth for dinner in this 17th century bakery - now restaurant. Dinner was chanteralle mushroom quiche yummy!










Afterwards, we took a walk around the lovely little town - located along the coast of Oslo fjord. I learned this town has long history of fishing, lumber and minerals. I also learned it was the place where when the Germans came into occupy Norway, the people fired torpedo's and alerted the King and they were able to avert a Nazi invasion.











Monday, Sept. 5 - I was greeted this day by the IT staff and we spent most of the morning trying to figure out why I cannot send messages from my computer and what the computer times out and an array of other really boring and complicated issues. Leif is now one of my best friends I have here in As.










Had lunch and received keys to office and submitted paperwork for "swipe card" (with my own UMB ID number) during my short-term stay here as staff . I returned tot office, only to come to more computer problems. Monday night I rode my bike around town to learn a bit more of where things are located.

Here is a scene I came across quite a bit around town - harvest of wheat and barley.








Here is a common sight - these roses are gorgeous all around town and throughout countryside - however, they are non-native and as we know, becoming a problem taking over other natives.









Tuesday, Sept. 6 -More time with Leif - after lunch I did gymnastics for one hour on front lawn of administrative building. Oh have I mentioned that it has rained everyday that I have been here? Not heavy rain, but raining consistently. So, imagine a group of 6 women out on lawn doing "push-ups" in the rain - it was quite the sight no doubt. Too bad I did not have my camera or I'd have taken a photo.

In the evening I did my wash and had a chance to actually meet and converse with my "house-mates". Guests consist of Barb and Chuck, a couple from Nebraska who come to UMB every year and teach Agroecology. They have been very helpful in "orienting" me to the equipment in the house - all things written in Norwegian. There is also a gentleman from Spain here to teach Agro economics - he a very nice and talks alot! A man from Italy who just arrives and has his room next to mine - he is very quiet.