From Portugal to Stavanger.

Happy times and good memories.
Isn't that what childhood should include?

This is Gabriel and his mum Ana who I met out on our morning walk today.
They came to Stavanger 4 years ago from Lisbon / Portugal, together with  Gabriel's dad who is working for the council.
Gabriel spoke Norwegian and is going to a Norwegian school. Mum who is actually from Funchal / Madeira spoke English very well. They were out in town  having a good time together.
Nice meeting you two!

Give some money (?)

I saw her in town yesterday.
I don't know her nationality, but she was not from Scandinavia.
I heard her speaking on the mobile.

The message around her neck said : "Please give a bit of money towards food and medicine. I have no job. I will send money to my grandchildren. Thank You."

I just hope that all the tourists don`t think that this is how Norway treats their elderly inhabitants.

Some of the tourists gave Euros, and she quickly removed it in to a purse covered up under her skirt and apron.

I feel sorry for people begging, but I guess it can be a very profitable business for those who organize work like this.

ELENA from Romania.

We have had a rainy day, just like the day I took this photo in Kirkegaten / Churchroad.
This is ELENA from Romania, who is living in Stavanger with her husband.
Nice meeting you, Elena!

She is busy.

She is one of several women, who are in Norway selling their knitted products.
Quite impressive what she has made.
If you don't have cash it is not a problem, - always a "mini bank" nearby.

The Three Swords.

This monument (Swords in Rock) was unveiled by king Olav back in 1983.
The swords were a gift from a local bank, and made out of stone by sculptor Fritz Røed.
They are 10 metres tall.

In the year 872 several kings were fighting here at Hafrsfjord, the battle was to unite all small kingdoms into one,
.
King Harald Fairhair won and became the king.

This is Vilma and Vanessa from Lima (Peru)
Vanessa is living in Norway, with husband and child.
Thanks for being my models V&V.

They are new in Norway.

Norway has international deals via the EU and UN to welcome refugees and provide a safe new home for those who have fled their countries, after years of war and a very difficult life in Syria, Afghanistan etc. There are several different ways to help, and many organisations like RED CROSS have volunteers who help them to settle down, learn the language here, start to study or find a job. Some have their families with them, some have family back home who they want to reunite with.

These young men (here on the photo) wanted to say "Thank You" to the locals, who have helped them to start their new life here up in the north of Europe. They "made a cafe" and served free Falafel, played music and danced. It was a great event!

Of course there are different opinions about how we help and where to help.
It is down to political decisions.
One mum I spoke with told me that she was so happy that both her children started school soon after they came to Norway and had settled down very well with new friends, and a new and different life.

GEORGE

I met an Englishman on the beach.
George from Norwich.

No, I did not ask him any political questions.
His thoughts about the EU etc.

I asked him what brought him to Norway.
"A girl" he said quickly

"My wife" he continued.

Yes, I thought.
LOVE that is what it is.

They met in Australia.

Life is full of surprises!

Surf Casting.

It was -2C early this morning, quite cold, but sunny and perfect for a walk on the beach a bit later (when it was warmer).

I met this Polish man who was out doing Beach Fishing / Surf Casting straight into the North Sea.

He told me it is very common in Poland, but I have never seen it before here on the beaches, only around deep waters. 

Flying home for Christmas......

They looked so cute and ready for their Christmas holiday.
I met them at the airport an hour ago, waiting for the plane to Oslo.
Then they will fly to Frankfurt and continue home to Bucharest / Romania.

From the left, the two sisters, Elisa and Alexandra, cousin Olivia and her boyfriend Victor.
I wish you all a HAPPY HOLIDAY!

We have rain, hail and a bit of lightning.
I am still dreaming about a white x-mas.

New in town.

I suddenly found myself sitting next to a talented young Greek woman, who spoke excellent English and had been studying in London.

She had a book filled with drawings and ideas, and had been living in Norway for a month with her Norwegian boyfriend.

I 'm sure she will continue to do very well with the fashion and design business she has started.

Find inspiring people and a workplace where you can use your many talents.

The best of luck, CHRYSA!!

New in Stavanger

They have just moved to Stavanger.
Daddy came first and settled down with his research work and studying.
The rest of the family have not been here for that long, but are all getting to grips with a new life, new culture and not at least our language. Children are often better than adults at picking up a new language. They will be here for some years, and I hope they will enjoy it and explore the region, also with friends and family visiting.

I have to say that I have a soft spot for dogs, especially Labrador Retrievers, and of course I chatted away with the dog in Norwegian. Seriously, I think she understood what I said.

LOUISE and her dog.

Louise (from Århus in Denmark) is relaxing on the bench.
She works as a nurse at the hospital here in Stavanger, and had been on a night shift.
Finally we got a warmish day, and I think her cute little dog Mollie also enjoyed a trip out in the sunshine.

Visiting Stavanger.

Lina ( to the left) were showing Neringa and Liole around in Stavanger.
They are all from Kaunas in Lithuania, but Lina is now living here.
Nice meeting you!
Have a good Easter Holiday!

WHITE CHRISTMAS.

It started snowing last night, so we woke up to a WHITE CHRISTMAS!
Out for a trip this morning, I met Beatrice from Milano, she is living here in the area and had her mum and dad visiting from Italy.
Keep warm and enjoy Christmas (and the Italian Christmas cake:-)

Russian music.

Street musicians are not all the same, some are entertainers, lively and happy, some are really sad, and the same with the music. Our narrow streets have more and more people coming from abroad who sing and play.
This group came from Novgorod in Russia.
Nice music.
Lots of people stopped and listened and had a glance at the unusual instrument on the left.
(As always, click on the image to enlarge it.)

Swedish Midsummer buffet.

Year six of blogging started today.

I had lunch with my husband at IKEA today.
Actually, it was a buffet with all kinds of Swedish food.
I especially liked the sild (herring) and the salmon, and then of course, the strawberries for dessert.
Wonderful, and then, off to work this afternoon and evening.

Olle, is the Swedish chef who together with his team had prepared the wonderful meal.

CONGRATULATIONS!

They just got married!
CONGRATULATIONS!

The couple came all the way from Johannesburg in South Africa for their wedding!
The grooms brother is Norwegian and they liked Norway so much that they decided to celebrate the big wedding here.
Fantastic!

It is OPEN

For a small city, Stavanger has quite a large number of Thai massage places.
Perhaps it is the same all over Europe and perhaps even in America?

It was a bit of spring in the air.

The dog owner with this happy Woofy is visiting Stavanger for the first time.
Yesterday was a sunny day, and my friend and I, who were out for a walk, had a chat with the man from Falun in Sweden.
No problems communicating using different Scandinavian languages.
Swedish and Danish are similar to Norwegian.
So learn one of the languages, and you will pretty much get two for "free".

Sporty people.

More snow.
Yesterday I noticed these two smiling sporty people jogging in town!

(At the back you can see the top of the Cathedral and the fish market.)