Monday, May 14, 2012 Evening

Danielle’s cousin, Nils Brennhaug, lives on the island Sotra just west of Bergen and he invited us to join him and his family for dinner Monday evening.  He is the vice principal at Danielson School, the school we visit in Bergen.

Nils’ daughter Elisabeth accompanied six of us on the bus to Sotra, and the other four rode with Nils.  It was a very scenic drive – about an hour – passing through five mountain tunnels and over at least a couple bridges.  We were greeted at the Brennhaug household by Nils’ wife Kristen, his son Peter, and his two other daughters Hanna and Rebekka.  What wonderful hosts they were.

Elisabeth B,. Kristin, and Laura on the bus ride out to the Brennhaugs' home in Sotra, an island west of Bergen.

A Bridge Over a Fjord.

A View From The Bridge

On the road to the Brennhaugs'.

Before dinner, Nils told us a bit about education in Norway and how private schools such as Danielson are funded (85% federal, 15% tuition) and accredited (federal oversight and assessment).  He said that if we think we have a strong and overbearing government, we should see how Norway’s government is.  He also mentioned that all the money Norway is getting from oil in the North Sea is put into a trust and invested for future use.  Their strong economy is the result of money coming into the country through workers earning extremely high salaries out on the oil rigs.  Norway’s income tax is over 35%, but they also have a VAT of 25% on most purchased goods.  VAT (value added tax) is somewhat similar to a sales tax, but one of the differences is that it is included in the price rather than added on at the cash register.  Norwegians get nearly free health care and free education.

Front: Hanna B.  Next Row: Nicole, Rebekka B., Danielle, Laura, Kristin, Paige.  Back Row:  Kairsten, Elisabeth B. Kristen B., Nils B., Peter B., Joni, Moriah.

Before we ate, they sang a Norwegian song of thanks for us (same melody as The Doxology) and also sang a song after dinner, which is not uncommon in Norway.  Kristen served a delicious and hearty Norwegian version of chicken a la king over potatoes and rice. We enjoyed getting to know each other, and the conversations were very interesting. Then we had a very tasty dessert of small, bright red, tart berries covered with a sweet vanilla cream sauce.  None of us could think of a similar berry in the US.  After more conversation and morphing pictures of everyone on an iPad, we had a second dessert of a special holiday cake with ice cream.  

Elisabeth B,. Rebekka B., and Hanna B., showing Danielle and Moriah pictures on their iPad.

Nils B., Kairsten, and Paige talking after dinner.

Karla, Kristen B., and Laura were checking out bunads (traditional Norwegian dress) on the Internet.

A view out their living room window.

Another view out their window.

Cool lamp with simple lines.

Rebekka B. and Danielle.

It was a very enjoyable evening and gave us a view of Norwegian family life.  We are thankful to the Brennhaugs’ for their warm hospitality and kindness.

Bridges on the bus ride home. 

Walking back to the hotel after the bus ride.

The Harbor Before Sunset

Moriah across the harbor looking at ships.

Famous Bergen Street

Ships in the Harbor

A huge wooden carving of a fish behind some of the tourist shops.

One of the narrow passageways between the tourist shops.