First Day in Bergen

And it was my birthday. 33!

We had one full day in Bergen and we tried to make the most of it. In the morning we visited the historic harbor area, explored little random streets. Then we met Karl’s parents and wandered the same areas again, and then went up the Floibanen funicular with them. We had lunch at the top, then we split up: Chris, C, and me (and Apl of course) chose to walk down the hill (mountain?) and everyone else took the train back down. I loved the walk down the hill, it was so cool and peaceful in the woods and when we got down into the city the neighborhoods were so quaint and darling. Karl’s parents were brave enough to try Japanese food for the first time for dinner, and then we all said good night.

I didn’t immediately notice the little golden arches on the side there. Ha!

C has a book about a goofy guy that lives in Bergen in this historic Bryggen area, and he has an apartment over a hamburger shop and he has a window that overlooks a small dark alley (which this area is famous for). His name is Birger, and he’s a tow truck driver. He witnesses some mysterious, even a little scary, things in his alley.

This alley was actually named something like “Hamburger Alley” and we pointed out to C that it was like in the story. We proceeded down the alley with extreme caution…

It was scary, and I used my flashlight.

Chris and I were joking around making “ooooo scary” noises, and I think C was actually freaked out. You can see he’s got his flashlight on there (yes, it’s 10 am, broad daylight.)

When the alley opened up a little C was a little less freaked out, even making some scary faces of his own.

No, it’s not your imagination… the buildings are actually leaning because a German munitions boat exploded in the harbor in the 40’s. Blew the roofs off!

Apl got a lot of attention, being all snuggled up in the sling. Dave told me later that lots of people were taking pictures of us! I never noticed! This picture was taken right in front of the Sakristen cafe that Johannes recommended to us. It was great!

I love my camera. (And you guys, too.)

It looks so pretty. It’s just the window that looks pretty… that one window.

waiting for the funicular…

We’re so high up. We were on a mountain.

That day was a nice day.

I was playing with the rocks.

If you look, you can find C and Ruby in this picture.

It took me a moment to realize that the girl is not Ruby; this was at the head of the path we took down the hill (Ruby and everyone else having taken the train down the hill instead.)

A spider web! … That’s not Ruby.

I love fireweed… reminds me of Alaska. My brothers brought me fireweed at the hospital when I was born.

I loved the walk down this path! It was so beautiful!

Apl looks cute.

Adorable! I especially love the skinny garbage cans; regular ones wouldn’t fit!

Ruby fell asleep.