Norway, Where Time Goes by So Slowly

In Video: Unforgettable Images from one of the happiest places on Earth.

Points to Ponder: In solitude there is healing. Speak to your soul....Listen to your heart. Sometimes in the absence of noise....we find the answers.- Dodinsky

Story Line: Norway- Where Time Goes by So Slowly. Norway is rated as one of the happiest countries on earth by the United Nations Agency’s World Happiness Report. The measure of Happiness may be subjective, but what we experienced on our visit in August 2017 felt very real. 

Reflection:

While strolling around the residential areas of a the small town of Rosendal, we met a lady and her son who invited us to stay with them before going to the next place. Their open, warm, and giving nature spoke volumes about the generosity of the Norwegian people.

While enjoying the immense beauty of a sunrise in Odda (front image of the video), we missed our bus. With limited, to what seemed like, no options; an off duty Taxi Driver understood our predicament and was kind enough to drive us 40km out of his way so that we could make it for our boat ride.

Then there was a lady in the train to Oslo who requested me to keep an eye of her things while she stepped of her seat for a while. Upon return we started talking and three hours passed by in minute and the exhaustion of a long day was forgotten. The next day she sent us a detailed email suggesting places to visit and dine, and recommendation for a Bed and Breakfast in Southern Norway for our next trip.

On our way to the airport he told us about the girl who loved to sit and enjoy coffee and tea more than anything else. He liked her. So he invited her for a hike. After three days and 140km that included climbing 1800 meters, the girl said “Yes”. I guess Nature can do wonders. 

In a note to us few weeks later, he wrote “Life is strange! How do we end up where we are just now? Education and planning is two great tools to control the future. I do have some education and have the best woman to help me control life. My workplace is a wonderful place where i meet great people, sometimes they do make me feel like a mere grassstraw compared to a redwood tree. These people also make me proud of my country and gives me an urge to see out of my little buble called Norway. I just want to say thank you for giving me a very good day at work.”  

The warmth, helpfulness and the attitude of Norwegian people has forever stayed in our hearts.