Påske

Påske - pronounced POH - ska - is Norwegian for Easter. It is the occasion for spring break. Schools have the whole week off but everybody takes spring break in some way because literally all of the country shuts down for five days. I mean all of the stores, government offices, postal delivery and service businesses except gasoline stations are closed on Kjær Torsday (Maundy Thursday), Lang Fredag (Good Friday), Påske Aften (Easter Eve), OK, Technically some retail and food stores open for a short but very crowded few hours on Saturday but they are all closed by 3 or 4 pm. Påske (Easter Sunday) and Annen Påske Dag (Second Day of Easter or Easter Monday) People begin leaving home for the traditional ski vacation at the family cabin or a trip to the USA or the south of Spain, France or Italy. This year there were cheap trips to beach resorts in Egypt or other African destinations too. On Monday, April 2, there was virtually no rush hour traffic. By the time we drove to visit someone on Thursday the streets were empty.

We decided to take a little drive on roads that looked interesting but were unexplored by us. We ended up in a little place called Fana, which is home to a church built in 1154 - just about 154 years after Saint Olav converted the Vikings to Christianity.

The church wasn't open but it is still an operating local "State Church." Norway is officially a Christian country so it sponsors one religion as the state's church - The Lutheran Church. The national income tax includes a 2 1/2 % tax that goes directly to the church for salaries, maintenance etc. You can have your money set aside for another church by officially withdrawing from the state church and joining another church. However, the other church must apply for the money. You probably already know that the Mormons do not apply for the money. It is not the way our tithing system works.

We had a good look at the wonderful old building and the surrounding grounds. The cemetaries are all located next to the church buildings here. It appears that besides ski and sun trips the locals also take this time to spruce up grave sites and decorate graves with fresh cut flowers.

We read grave markers but not for long. We had other roads to drive.

When you meet a Norwegian whom you have seen a few days before you greet him/her by saying: "Takk for sist." which means "Thanks for the last time." If you have just eaten a good meal you thank your host by saying: "Takk for maten" or "Thanks for the food." You may also say "Takk for idag" (today) or "Takk for ikveld" (this evening) but don't make the typical American mistake of saying "Takk for Alt" - "Thanks for everything" The only time you use that is on your tombstone to show one last time your gratitude for life itself.

So, takk for tiden alle sammen!