Reverence

Norwegians appear to have deep reverence for so much of life - it’s truly admirable. Here are a few examples

History

Originally first inhabited in 995 the island has been used as a sacrificial site, a monastery, a prison and by the Germans in WWII as a defense lookout point. In the 15th century the man in this photo was was imprisoned for 4 years in Denmark for trying to wage peace between Denmark and Sweden without the consent of the King. He was then transferred to the prison on Munkholmen Island for another 18 years. Trondheim townspeople sent their young boys to him to be educated. I don’t think he looked this good in prison. The conditions were extremely primitive. I saw a stave church from the 17th century. I saw skeletons from the 12th century.

Fitness (bodies) feeding good, fresh food and challenging their bodies to keep their movement, strength and capacity up to par.

On Saturday OJ drove to Sweden and took a sky lift to the top and rode his trail bike down a mountain. On Sunday he rode for 3 hours 27 plus miles around the city, and up 1000 meters. This was on his electric bike but 90% of the energy supplied on this ride came from his body.

Nature (get out in it) ( all Norwegian’s own hiking pants) Weather does not stop activity. You only need the proper clothing and equipment. They hike and bike in the rain, play soccer in the rain, and mow the grass in the rain.

Quiet time - it is prohibited by law to make loud noises on Sunday. You can paint your house or quietly trim trees but only use mechanical saws or lawn mowers on Monday through Saturday.

Robot mowers are silent but they also eat up Hedgehogs- babies in the grass. 😫

Children- they are beginning to build co-parent homes for split families. Moms live on one side of a common area and dads on the other. When it’s moms time to door to dad’s side is locked and visa versa. The kids are not shuffled, they’re always home. Just move from in side to the other of the common area.

Simplicity - simple lines in the outside construction, simple furniture (ever been in an IKEA store?) simply elegant bathrooms, (seems to me they all have heated bathroom floors - in the hotels too) Monica has black walls and white accents. Feels calm and peaceful and restorative

Water - 400,000 lakes - the most delicious water in the world (surely) can see to the bottom of every stream, lake or river.

Animals ( not permitted to dock tails in sheep or dogs)

Humans - much effort goes into training prisoners to prepare to be contributing citizens upon their release. Approx 20% is all that end up being incarcerated repeatedly. Much effort is made to prohibit circumcisions on girls from Somalia.

Food - glorious food

Here is a snapshot from the grocery store, fresh herbs. Homemade pesto and sprouted facocia bread.

Royalty (love and respect King and Queen. The government- who has all the decision power and makes the rules) keep the king informed with a weekly Friday meeting) the king gives his blessing after an election.

Privacy. No one touches someone else’s property. The land is for everyone to walk upon, but you don’t bother anything - you can leave whatever you choose with assurance it’ll be there when you return.

Proper behavior. People are expected to do the right thing, and it seems they do. I think I only saw a police car once. You don’t have to show your bus fare you just buy it. You don’t cross the street until the walk light come in.

Flowers - an abundance of beauty planted and a flower shop in just about every neighborhood this bridge had flowers along the entire route on both sides

Music

Every kind of music. The government is so supportive of the arts there are paid positions for music promotion. Check out this cool band on Spotify. Hovistuten

Frequent statues commemorating the masters