My cultural experience

I learnt some things about the Norwegian culture last week.

*Flips through Intercultural workshop lecture notes*

Norwegians are:

1) Egalitarian (equal opportunities for all)

2) Independent and Self- reliant

According to my friend who has a romanian toilet mate, he tried opening a door for a norwegian woman struggling to open the door while both her hands were occupied with grocery bags. So then she looked at him coldly, and uttered these words :" What the fuck is wrong with you? I can open the door myself ." Jeezes relax lady.

3) Have a rural mentality

Due to the fact that they've traditionally lived in isolated small farms throughout the huge country. FYI, the country is currently populated with 4.5 mil people, as opposed to the 4 mil in the 2 million times smaller Singapore

Side-track in case you're bored already:
I visited a norwegian cultural museum a few days ago..here's some pictures of their rural settlements in the past.. prob around the 1800s.

They're all original huts brought here from all over norway, and all made of wood. It's a wonder they haven't gone rotten.

Oh and they sleep in these tiny beds, about 1.7m by 1.7m, with 3- 4 people in it! Apparently people last time are much smaller..and also they sleep curled up, and not in the 'dead man' position. And about what they eat everyday: bread with glue-like porridge. Eaten hot for the first meal of the day and cold for the rest. Ew. Talk about balanced diet.

Back to their characteristics.

4) Appreciation of nature/environment

My lecturer told me that his friend came to oslo a few years back and struck up a conversation with a norwegian at a bus-stop. The norwegian then exclaimed to him:" don't you think this is the BEST city in the world?". His friend: " why?" Norwegian:" you can get out into the forest in just 10 mins!!". Sounds good to me =). They also like to disappear off into the mountains to enjoy their own quiet time in nature when it comes to weekends. Well i really wouldn't mind that either.

Regarding their love for their environment, plastic bags at supermarkets here cost 0.50 Norwegian Kroners (NOK), which translates to about 0.128 cents in SGD with a 3.9 exchange rate. And you can recycle their plastic bottles and get from 1- 2.50 NOK (0.256-0.641 cents). Not much, seeing that one macdonald meal costs about SGD 17 (so it's true!), and bus fares cost close to $8. Thank god for student concession.

5)Individualistic

6) Conservative

No stories about these. yet.

My flight to Oslo

This is for everone who sent me off at the airport, sent me well wishes, care about me and want to know about my life in Norway =)
After much procrastination, i have decided that it is TIME.
Wait any longer and you can start reading about my flight back to Singapore..haha.

*Clears throat*
First of all, i want to say i'm truly touched by everyone who came all the way to the airport to send me off. You guys rock! i was overwhelmed at the point when i had to leave for the departure gate. i didn't cry not because i won't miss everyone, but because i know there are so many great friends who care and are waiting for me to go back to them. i was sad and happy at the same time. And actually, 4 and a half months isnt that long..right?!

So anw, in the quietness of the plane, it was starting to sink in that i had just left my LIFE behind, and was feeling abit..well, down, i started looking at my stuff.. and hey! wad do u know..
my warm adidas jacket is from my favourite aunt. Thanks Jia Yee!
my functional crumpler is from my long time pals. Thanks Jo, Marie, Kavi, Shirong, Yuying, Vet and Wanzhi!(i'm using it every single day by the way =) )
my seiko watch and new spectacles are from my pretty mom. Thanks ma!
my PINK! bra and underwear are from my crazy team mates. Thanks girls!
my thirst-quenching water bottle and useful head rest pillow are from my COR bradhers. Thanks Wenwei and Cheekim!
i'm surrounded! i can't get away..and i wouldn't want to.. =)

Thanks too,
teddy for your ovaltine, milo, and horlicks packs (i've finished one pack already!)..
jo, marie, yy, and huili for the tears you shed..
for all the hugs and the handshakes to wish me well..
















Well, i'm now into my 12th day here and more or less nicely settled down.
Shall update again and post many pictures (mostly scenery pictures, as u can imagine) to show all of you what it is like here! i have to go back for dinner now..