Pilar was a member of our Young Single Adult presidency from our first day in Bergen. She left for a screen-writing school in Los Angeles on November first. She may get back to her native Peru someday but after two years of school and mountain climbing in Bergen she will now be in Dodgertown for a while. Lucky for us we can visit her again soon.
Dinner with the wonderful Herland family - three generations worth - was a farewell gathering for us and for Pilar. Alexander with his arms around two of his brothers is one of our YSA's. We were treated to the most tasty Norwegian traditional foods, including venison that was taken on their land during the recent hunting season.
"Hurrah for deg!" We sing the birthday song to Michelle at yet another special dinner this month.
Dinner for the "seniors" included us and featured special Danish style cooking.
Daily walks pass over this little river which runs through the town of Nesttun. Since the last week in August we have had mostly rain so the river is running full bore. We have had maybe a dozen sunny days in the past three months. Even the locals are complaining, which is rare in a area that has this saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothing." (it rhymes in Norwegian)
I have been waiting for this house to fall down for 15 months now.
Downtown Nesttun is back to normal with the completion of the new lightrail line right down the middle of main street. The extention of the line from downtown Bergen will open in the summer of 2013.
There was a great deal of interest in the US elections here. Norwegians as a group are very knowledgeable about world politics. Our never-ending election cycle is totally different from what goes on here. This URL could be Republican headquarters in Norway but it is the address for a children's store called Mitt Rom or My Room.
On one of those sunny days we took the gondola (far left) up to the top of the highest of the seven mountains of Bergen. Ulriken is a little over 700 meters above sea level. The view of the city and the outer islands is even better than the view from Fløyen.
The gondola is small and the temperature dropped below freezing quickly.
We were treated to a clear view as we clomped along over the rocks and frozen ground.
The communications tower is lighted with bright colors at night.
The professional fotball klubb in Bergen is named Brann or "Fire." They were organized in 1908 and play all their matches to a packed house. Bergensers may have their favorite "Champions League" or other European league teams but as far as Norway's pro league goes there is only Brann.
Haukeland Sykehus is THE hospital in Bergen. It is a teaching hospital too. It is part of the impressive public medical system here.
Across the downtown area and out to sea.
Craggy islands connected by cookie cutter two lane suspension bridges make up the whole patchwork of islands in western Norway.
So, all of a sudden these three people inflated their kites and jumped off the mountain. This is a great place for para-gliding. Aside from freezing your tush off it looked like great fun to sail around over the city and then land on one of the practice fields by Brann Stadion.
Soaring over the city
Winter is coming on. The leaves are almost all down. Most of the boats have been taken out of the docks. We get one last look at the city from a mountain top that will soon be covered with snow.
Last of all, here is our little crew of missionaries, out in the weather as usual. We have a "tripanionship" and our two Elders. One of the best surprises of our mission has been how thoroughly enjoyable these young men and women have been. We are losing three of this group on Wednesday. We will get our last group that same day. What a pleasure to serve with them all.
