Karla & Dave's Ed May Sem 2012 Blog

Monday, May 14 Bergen

Yesterday, our early flight from Iceland to Bergen - less than two hours - was one of the smoothest flights I have ever been on. On the 30 minute bus ride to the hotel, we went through several tunnels through the mountains to get across Bergen.

After we checked in, we took a quick walk around the city center to show our students shopping districts, the school we will visit, the train station, a park, and several other landmarks. It was cold, rainy, and very windy. The temperature was about 42 Fahrenheit, with 25 to 35 mph winds driving a steady rain. Everywhere we looked umbrellas were getting annihilated by the wind. Everyone seemed in very high spirits though, excited just to be in Norway. We met for supper at Peppe's Pizza, a well known pizza place throughout Norway.

This morning was still cool and rainy, but the wind was only about 15 to 20 mph. It's a free morning for the students, so they went out into the blustery weather, looking for sights and bargains. We have been invited to have dinner tonight by Danielle's cousin Nils Brennhaug and his family. Nils also happens to be the vice-principal at Danielson school which we are visiting tomorrow.

The three dates at the top of this hotel are the three years huge fires destroyed this area of Bergen.

A street across the little harbor that is in front of our hotel.

Pillow coverings displayed in one of the many tourist shops along our street.

Bergen Side Street

Another Side Street (Kong Oscars Gate which translates to Kong Oscar's Road))

A grocery store next to a little cafe.

The red ship to the left is the ferry we will take to Denmark on Friday. [Update: later today we learned that the high yesterday winds forced the ferry back into the harbor and it was unable to make its transit to Denmark. Fortunately, the winds have died down some tonight and are are supposed to be mild Friday when we go to Denmark.]

Buildings along our street, which all have tourist shops or restaurants on the first floor.

More buildings along our street, which also all have tourist shops or restaurants on the first floor. Our hotel is about two blocks farther to the left.