Norwegian Airlines tricked me twice. I thought roundtrip tickets for $400 was a deal. I realized after I purchased the nonrefundable tickets that flights are the only affordable thing in Norway. I will write later the about second trick– but oh have I learned. Anyways, a train ride cost me $130, a dinner in the single restaurant of Utne cost $75, and a beer in Oslo's Sculpture Park at a delicious $12.
~I shuffle my feet and softly curse as the beautiful Norwegians run past me to their Teslas and amazing lives...~
You can't even buy a beer after 8pm from the grocery store– no wonder why people are so in shape and happy and have money for other, nice things.
But I'm unfair. I have really pointed out the only serious expenses I've had. Since arriving, I've stayed in the homes, cabins, and hotels of Croatians, Germans, Romanians, Lithuanians, and of course, Norwegians. They have given me a bed and a meal all except for two nights. Which was a huge expense I saved.
So the rest of my krones went to fruit, crackers and chocolate. Even water is free in Norway; since it's clean and ubiquitous. Some other ways I saved: those Romanians I mentioned earlier? They also gave me a ride to the waterfall and a bike to explore with. I also managed to jump on the ferry tour as it was pulling off the dock. Although it was made very clear I hadn't paid and therefore had no ticket, not a single person on board felt it was their responsibility to have me pay. So that was a $40 that could later go into a covering three beers.
Pictured below is my big day in Flam. A 3 hour bike ride, 1 hour nap on the beach (sunburned included), 2 hour ferry ride, and 1 hour bus back to my Romanian pals.
Sore for two days after this ride. Norwegians don't mess around when it comes to keeping their terrain a challenge. I worked hard for those waterfalls.
That is a nice boulder.
My week-long lunch of crackers, cheese and beet spread. The spread tasted like mayo with a hint of beet (will not make that mistake again). This is also where I slept directly in the sun for an hour. *A major accomplishment*
