Changes in the seasons are normal of course in the Northern hemisphere, and the further north you go, the more significant the contrasting seasons are. These changes make a great deal of difference from winter to summer, especially in Norway, Sweden and Finland. As always, the sceneries in nature demonstrates it the best, so let me give you an example showing two pictures from our vacation home town in Sweden:
Mariestad, February 2009.
It’s snowy and with fresh, crisp air and a low sun. However, three months later, there is quite a greener look:
Mariestad, May 2009.
Notice the flowerbed: From covered with snow to colourful bloom! Btw; Can you guess why this is typical Swedish colours?
The change in the scenery does not have to take very long. Let me give you an example from a view my regular readers have seen before:
A horse ranch in Norway April 6th.
The same ranch at May 25th.
Of course all this various from the south to the north, from sea level and up in the mountains. Oslo is on latitude 60°, where as North Cape is on 71°1′8″N. In a post from up north in Kirkenes, I told you the temperature could change from winter -50C (-58F) to +30 (86F). It’s not that big of a different in Oslo: more like from -20C (-4F) to +25C (77F).
I love all four seasons, also because of the dramatic changes and every one of them reminds you that nature is always there, although in hibernation from time to time. I can also assure you; you learn to treasure and appreciate a warm summer day at the beach when you are swimming around thinking of that in 6 month, you can go skating on the same water
Another significant different in the Nordic, is of course the duration of daylight. In Oslo, the shortest day is about 6 hours and the longest 19 hours – not to mention at North Cape, where for about three month the sun never goes down: The land of the midnight sun you know.
In three weeks, we’ll have summer solstice and the sun doesn’t go down before almost 11PM. I guess you can imagine we are treasuring the long summer nights too
To me, posting about Norway and the Nordic countries; Our Culture, Traditions and Habits, is a hobby. Being active in other Social Media is almost for the same reason. Of course I gain a lot – both personally and socially – as I learn, experience and achieve competence as well as skills which become very useful in my business too. Looking at myself as a network evangelist, I easily combine these rolls since it’s all about connecting with people. So I feel lucky and just love it.
I try to be discreet in exposing persons without their acceptance, if not in public places and in official or general situations. However, sometimes it’s part of a way to document the story and then of course I ask before posting. When I tell the reason, very few are negative and most people becomes more than willing to pose when I explain my agenda. In those situations, like in business, it’s useful to have a card. It gives a more serious look and people always want to know where they can find the result or get back to you. So I’ve made a business card as a blogger:
I got the idea when the one and only; Olga the Traveling Bra was visiting. Since I then guided her around in Oslo, Norway – as well as Kiel, Germany – it was good to show how many nice people she met. Her passport and her card were then very useful in convincing them.
I while ago, my blogfriends Zhu at Correr Es Mi Destino in Canada, explicitly asked me if I had a card like this, since people so willingly was posing for my blog. That was the last little push I needed.
In many settings, both private and in business, the subject blogging comes up and people ask how to find mine. That is flattering of course – we are all a bit exhibitionists, aren’t we – and then it’s very convenient just to hand out a card like this instead of having them write down a cryptic url-address.
So how about you; If you feel you should have a picture of people to document your post; Do you ask them and if so; how? And do you have, or consider making a blog business card?
The Botanical Garden (largest in Norway) is an oasis in east Oslo, home to exotic plants such as cacti, orchids and palms, and indigenous species, including Norwegian wild flowers. Among 1800 different plants arranged according to family and genus, you’ll find some 300 medicinal plans (the Economic Garden), some 1450 species of plants covering the mountain flora of Norway and of other mountainous areas such as Caucasia. Thousands of mountain plants flourish in The Rock Garden, cut through by waterfalls and 1450 species of mountain flora is one of the many highlights (click all pics to bigify and enjoy!):
First a bit of history:
In 1812 the estate owner at that time, President of the Oslo Magistrate, Johan Lausen Bull, sold Tøyen back to the Danish-Norwegian king, Frederik the 6th, who donated Tøyen to the newly established University of Norway. The University Botanical Garden was founded in 1814. Most of the lands were however later sold. Today, the Garden covers about 115 hectares (37.5 acres). Three Natural History Museum buildings are located within the Garden.
I’m not a pro, so this won’t be a botanic expert showing you around. However I love nature, trees and flowers; here is from today’s quality time with my wife seen through my eyes or Nikon S2 lens:
The Rock Garden:
A miniature alpine landscape and the plants are hardy perennials, bulbs and shrubs from all over the world. They are arranged in series of European, America and then Asiatic:
What also caught my eyes, was how beautiful the waterfall was and how much fun you can have in it:
The Systematic Garden:
It aims to show the great variety of plants among Angiosperms. The species, genera and families are arranged to illustrate their evolutionary relationship:
You can relax and enjoy in front of that section too:
The Duck Pond:
Both children and adults were fascinated by the ducks:
The Dove Tree:
The tree comes from China and is an attraction in bloom. It was planted in the 50s and start blooming 30 years later:
Ever since it has flowered each year and been a great pleasure to all visitors to the garden in May. It flowers only for about 10 days; Lucky we where there to be able to share with you:
Quality time:
Of course I took a lot more pics and you may see them here on my Flickr account. I have, however saved the best to last; I was talking about quality time with my wife Diane (click to see her post from this garden visit!), didn’t I? So here is what she had prepared for us as a surprise:
Diane’s shrimp salad sandwiches with a little bubbly
Want to see more? Well, come and visit then – I’ll gladly show you around!
May 17th is Norway’s National Day since our constitution was signed at Edsvoll Minor in 1814. It was inspired by the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the French revolution in 1789 and the subsequent U.S. and French constitutions, and is considered one of the most radically democratic constitutions in the world at that time. With the establishment of parliamentarism in the 1870s, the Council of State (Statsråd) was effectively chosen by general election, in the King appointed only members of the party or coalition having a majority in the Storting (parliament). I’ll give you links to my previous posts for more background and history, because today I want to explain what is so special about this day since there isn’t anything more typically Norwegian than the 17th of May:
If you take a bit of pride and happiness combined with a celebration of spring and freedom, and add a dash of positive nationalism plus a little childish patriotism; then you have the Norwegian Constitution Day in a nutshell. It’s spring time and the long winter is over, we are both celebrating the end of the 2nd world war (May 8, 1945) when our national day was forbidden, and the signing of our constitution in 1814. Another characteristic point you need to understand the tradition in our celebration though: The Day is by and for the children who are always in focus. The parades are the proof of the pudding. You see no sign of military power demonstration all. Since pictures says more than a thousand word, let me show some pics from today (click all to bigify and enjoy!):
Every grammar school arranges their own parades and the children parade, class by class. The parents are cheering from the sidewalk.
In Oslo, the capital, it’s a bit different as 100 of the community’s schools make the parade passing the Royal Castle:
The Royal Family greets the parade from the balcony. Dressed in their finest and waving to the crowd. This is their salute to the people.
Everyone use their best outfit or the Norwegian traditional folk costume Bunad and the children eats as much ice cream as they can (well, adults are very childish that day too ) I saw some people in Oslo today, which I thought was very typical 17th of may family and when I told them my blog mission for today, they where nice and willingly posing for me:
The parade goes down Karl Johan to the castle and back on a parallel gate and the city is full of happy and celebrating people, so its hard (in the pictures)to separate the parade from the crowd. Let me give it a try and hoping you get the spirit:
17th of May parade with flags and a cheering crowd. To the right: look at the little boy on his father’s shoulder!
There are people everywhere and some relaxing in parks enjoying the warm sunshine:
Above: some of Oslo’s parks. Below: Some of the fountains.
Let me end with a couple of more pics to show how Norwegians are dress up for a party on our National Day:
Left: A family not in Bunad. Right: Some teenagers.
One could write a book or more about this day, but I have only one post and tried my best to share some of the key points to understand our tradition. You might say it is patriotism or nationalism, but then I would say in a very harmless and positive way. We don’t think we are better than others, have won anything or have any opponents. We’re just happy to be one free nation in peace and that it’s okay to feel good and to show it.
There are plenty more pics at my Flicr account and for you who want more historical background and reports; here are some of my posts from earlier years:
Writing a blog about Norway and the Nordic countries, it would be a disgrace not to tell the world about this victory: Tonight Norway won The European Song competition with the song ‘Fairytale’:
That’s the third time Norway has won: in 1985 with Bobbysocks and 1995 with Secret Garden was the last time.
For those of you who are not that familiar with what the whole Europe has seen on TV tonight (they are talking about 100 mill viewers):
Without interruption, the Eurovision Song Contest has been broadcast every year since 1956, which makes it one of the longest-running television programmes in the world. In 2003, the first ever Junior Eurovision Song Contest took place, while the Eurovision Song Contest celebrated her 50th anniversary 2005. Viewers picked ABBA’s Waterloo as best ever Eurovision Song Contest song. In 2007, Europe could see the first ever Eurovision Dance Contest.
The 2008 we saw a record of 43 represented countries, as Azerbaijan and San Marino joined the family. The competition has been broadcast throughout Europe, but also in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Korea, New Zealand and the United States, even though these countries do not participate. In 2009, an Asian version of the Eurovision Song Contest is expected to be launched.
That’s the best start for tomorrow, since its Norway’s Constitution and National Day. So stay tuned; there will soon be more celebrations! And it will be a hell of a party I’m sure!!
) I saw some people in Oslo today, which I thought was very typical 17th of may family and when I told them my blog mission for today, they where nice and willingly posing for me:
