Jan Does the |
MILLENNIUM |
| A couple of hundred years ago, Grimstad used to be an important shipping center. Now it is nothing. Yet for some reason we decided to move there from Oslo, and I have wondered why ever since. The only time of the year to visit the city is during summer, going there any other season will get you automatically admitted into a mental hospital. My girlfriend, Miho, came for christmas though, but since we isolated her as much as possible from the narrow-minded population of 15 000 unfortunate souls, I think she will be fine. Btw, if you can read Norwegian, check out the local newspaper of Grimstad here, and also if you please the fan letter I sent to the editor in April 2000. |
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Grimstad - A coastal town in southern Norway. Main industries; Mental hospitals and video rentals. |
| A view of Grimstad bay, which usually looks very nice the years Grimstad is blessed by anything similar to summer weather |
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Norway is famous for its great weather. While other countries often enjoy summer for several months, Norwegians usually get a day or two of hot weather a year. The sun does additionally seldom visit the cold mountains that make up 90 percent of the country, so coldness and darkness are the most noticeable features of Norway. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why Norwegians rank so low when it comes to smiling; they don't have much to be happy about. |
| Christmas is the time to come for good food. Then again it is not easy for a foreigner to get invited into a Norwegian home, this as people tend to be shy, cold and depressed most of the time. In that way they are similar to people in Japan. On the other hand will the Japanese usually get friendly after a couple of drinks; Norwegians are more likely to kill or rape you. Anyway, the New Year's dinner I enjoyed with my family was great. My mom has certainly proven many times that she knows how to do a turkey... |
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My parents, aunt, uncle, girlfriend and a couple of cousins |
| Cross country skiing - How to stay cold while sweating and getting nowhere |
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Get ready to learn something: The English word "ski" has its origin in Norwegian. Being generally obsessed with nature, Norwegians have traditionally spent much of their free time outside wandering around randomly. If you are a big fan of skiing, then Norway is the place to go. And in contrast to for instance Austria; you are not likely to die in an avalance either. |
Jan visits Madrid - Click here!
