Leap of Faith - Day 2 through 4

I learned the kindness of Norwegians.

Although I wouldn’t say they are street friendly, everyone I asked was beyond kind and extraordinarily helpful. They appear to be happy. I believe it is because they are authentic and masters of self care. Whereas I have a history of reaching out, extending a welcoming smile or greeting, as my Midwest upbringing expected of me - or so I thought, I think these folks are busy taking care of themselves and assume others will likewise.

I guess an observer of my behavior might suspect I think others are incapable of self care? That I must get some sort of self-importance from caring for others, like always wanting to be a mother. In Norway, when I ask for assistance I am met with eager and quite attentive care.

My first angel was my host; my second angel was the man at the DNT tourist information storefront. “We are not here to sell clothes, we are here to help you so you can get out in nature and use the trails.” He efficiently made recommendations for items that would be useful but I felt absolutely no pressure to make purchases. My timing was magnificent, I just qualified for the senior discount price of membership and the end of summer specials. Because they’re not in the retail business for a profit, the prices for outdoor gear are likely the best one can find in Norway.

I was very glad I hadn’t felt the necessity to be completely prepared before leaving home. I discovered I could have left my sleeping bag at home. I will need a hygiene liner for the bedding in the cabins but no bag. I purchased a silk liner and am quite looking forward to slithering into it. It weighs very few ounces as compared to the pounds of my sleeping bag. The man at DNT also helped me plan a good beginning route for hiking, a beautiful area for viewing the fjords and a secondary, more challenging area to hike. He fit me with my LARGE (specifically built for women) Osprey back pack.

My host said “You know what Osprey does! One thing. They make backpacks.” He loaned me rain pants, an insulated wind hat, extra protective mittens to wear over my gloves, his cell phone charger and helped me glue (repair) my Gortex rain jacket. I packed the new backpack I had purchased (my day pack wouldn’t get me far) and decided to go back to the DNT a few day later and get a much smaller towel. My same angel was there again!!! He by showed me how to pay for my cabins and permitted me to buy a far superior all weather top coat. Bergmans of Norway  brand. Designed and developed in Norway since 1908! It should last me my lifetime. Because it was last year’s model, bright red and only size small remaining, it was quite a good price.

The first day this man seemed quite delighted by my willingness to set out alone with no prior knowledge of what was ahead of me. He is the one who coined the phrase for my entire trip. Leap of Faith. He said that in one of the Crocodile Dundee movies the Leap of Faith was when he came to the edge of a cliff. “If you have enough faith, a bridge will appear, one step at a time. Without faith there is no bridge and a tremendous fall to the bottom.”  He told me he had more faith in me that I probably have in myself. He allowed me to take his photo to remind me to keep my faith strong.

My host, an experienced outdoorsman, taught me how to read the maps, pack my bag, provided me with much encouragement and sent me off with an ox stew, hearty loaf of bread, cheese, chocolate and what might be sardines?

Because I left the apartment to catch my bus to the train before he awoke. I sent him a text: Your kindness was unmatched. You are the champion!

He replied:

Thank you, very easy to be friendly to such a likable person as you. Enjoy your adventures 💃🏔😃

I made many more observations in these three days as this farm girl learned to get around the city on the bus. Even from the balcony as I took a quiet day, (Day 3, my Wellness Wednesday) and stayed in the apartment. I’ll share those later. Including the highlight of those days with my encounter with Angel #3!!!!

At this moment I’m riding through the countryside. I don’t know when I’ll be able to post this  or even if I’ll have cell service where I am going. But right now I want to give my presence to the extremely large window on this Volvo bus and the gorgeous countryside surrounding. This ox stew smells so wonderful that I believe it would be wise to nourish myself for what’s a head.