27th of September, 2022.
Hitchhiking in Norway.
I wait for quite a while in there. I don’t know why. Perhaps people simply are not going all the way to Trondheim? Because everybody seems so nice…
A grandma (as she calls herself) try to give me 200 NOK! She tells me that she worries about young people (because she is a grandma…). I kindly refuse and try to make her understand that I will be all right. Later on, I think that I should have taken. It would have made her happy and Loki knows how I would really need that money in the future. I didn’t ask for it so it is not like I was taking advantage of her or anything. Or of anybody else who offers me money for that sake!
One advice I will give you about hitchhiking is: ask to all the cars. If you don’t feel good about someone, that’s fine, but don’t try to create a “system” about the cars, like I did, because you might lose a good opportunity, as I almost did.
In Norway, there is a special category for cars: if you only use the front seats for transporting people, you can buy a cheaper car and the license plate will be green. That apply for any model of cars. I haven’t seen something like that before. So mostly vans and mini vans which are used for local workers fit into that description. And because these workers usually are only driving locally or in small distances between cities, I stopped asking them. But one of the owners of a small van was not a local at all, and he was not going a short distance either. Luckily for me, he heard me when I was asking a lift to another driver. Lucky me!
Gunnar tells me he is not going to Trondheim but quite close to, only about one hour driving from there. Yay! He seems like a very kind and sweet man, so I’m happy to drive with him.
When we start driving Gunnar tells me he is going to a small village called Gjøra, nearby the tourist city of Øppdal. He has just come back from Poland, by driving, where his wife is from and where they spend some time per year, visiting family and friends. They also have a house in Spain and Gunnar still have his place in Norway, way up North in an island called Smøla. In Gjøra he is going to stay for a few days with his nephew, Ivar, a retired school teacher.
On our way, Gunnar tells me a lot of things about Norway and general knowledge. He loves History and he knows a lot about a lot of things. The most catching story is about the so called “basket people” from Norway. A long time ago, when some of the roads were not built yet, to transport food and other things between valleys, people would use metal cables and a basket. It seems that they were also transporting people! Actually, the children, so they could go to school. I could barely believe until we passed by the still remaining structure of the cables. I didn’t see it but Gunnar was attentive and we stop to check it out. It is so cool! And I even dared myself to climb in the structure so Gunnar could take a photograph of me.
We also stopped by the Lake Vålåsjø, in a small resort place called Dovregubbens Hall, where they offer traditional Norwegian experiences. It is located near the Dovre mountains, where you can find the largest herd of Musk Oxen in Europe. We tried to spot them but without luck. Based on this region, a famous Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg, wrote a piece of orchestra called “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, in 1875.
During the travel, Gunnar invited me to come and stay over in his nephew place for the night. He said that tomorrow we could explore the region and its beautiful mountains full of waterfalls all around. He assured me that his nephew would be OK with that because he is a lovely man and there would be plenty of space because he leaves in a comfortable cottage by himself.
I remembered about my regrets in Turkey, of not spending more time with the locals when I had the chance, so I decide to accept the invitation. I know I am in a very tight schedule but, I don’t really know what it will happen in the next few days, so why to risk to lose such a wonderful opportunity of discovering a part of Norway which I wouldn’t, in the company of such nice gentleman, just because I had some plans? Nope!
We stop by Øppdal to buy some groceries. Gunnar want to prepare some salmon for dinner tomorrow. He tells me to get some things I would like to cook for dinner, because we had a quick stop in a restaurant and he had an early dinner himself. I get some potatoes, mushrooms and broccoli.
Already when we arrive in Gjøra I can see the beauty of the place. High fatty mountains all over the place, with a river running between them. Extraordinary!
Ivar’s house is extremely cute! It is so cozy and truly looks and feels like home! He was a Biology teacher (among other subjects) and he loves plants, so his house is surrounded by a gorgeous garden, full of different species of plants, flowers and fruit trees. He grows them himself in a projected greenhouse he has inside the house, like an extension. I am shocked by the beauty of his place! Inside and outside!
I like Ivar also immediately! He is such a calm, relaxed person, with a great sense of humor and also very kind. The three of us chat through the evening and after preparing my dinner I go to bed. I’m staying in Ivar’s nieces’ room, in a secondary part of the house, where his family stays when they come for holidays. The house used to belong to Ivar’s mother, and after she passed away, he made some changes and arrangements so he has a smaller place for himself, without tearing the whole house apart.
Next morning, after a delicious breakfast, the three of us start our hiking. We go by car until some points and hike to specific places. Wow! This place is amazing! Wonderful mountains, gorgeous views and beautiful waterfalls coming out of nowhere! Our first stop is at some old timber houses, in a village called Sætre. They are gorgeous! It almost as you can feel the history and tradition in your skin! And I am so happy to be here and have this opportunity! We visit both Røymoen and Grødalen Valleys, and some old farm houses, now a restaurant and renting cottages, called Vangshaugen. It’s wonderful here, with great views of the lake and fantastic spot for photographs.
We do some light hiking to two different waterfalls: Svøufallet and Linndalsfallet. They are both amazing but the first one it is somehow magic. It is so incredible, with this turquoise river running right in front of it, down to a beautiful valley. And even a rainbow is formed to make it everything more beautiful! There is a place where we stop to rest, where the view is extraordinary! The old farm houses here are now used for wedding ceremonies and other events. This place is so beautiful, but so beautiful, that I have to make the joke that even I would consider to get married if it was in here.
The whole hiking is amazing not only because of the spectacular views but because of the company of these two incredible new friends. They both are so wise, and not only in terms of knowledge but when it comes to their principles and perspective of the world we live in. It is such a pleasure to chat with them and listen to their stories, to learn about so many things and this region of Norway. I am so grateful for this opportunity and proud of myself for having made the right decision on accepting Gunnar’s invitation.
When we go back, Gunnar and I go to pay a visit in the nearby farm, called Nisja, where Ivar’s father was born and raised. Gunnar wants to say hello to the people living there now. It is a very nice place and we meet some super cute goats on the way. Coming back, I decide to spend some time with the goats and take some more cute shots of them. I found a swing in the middle of the forest, among this vibrant autumn yellow trees! What a beauty! With the blue sky as a background, it become an almost surreal picture! I spend some time here admiring the beauty and forget about time. Only the noise of my hungry stomach brings me back to reality and I walk back to Ivar’s home.
I’m glad that they didn’t wait for me and had their lunch already. I have some delicious food again and after that we sit outside to chat a little bit with the wonderful view of Ivan’s garden and its vibrant colours. What a wonderful day I am having!
Gunnar prepares the salmon and some pasta with potatoes. We even have some sparkling wine to go with it. Fancy! The salmon is so delicious and I cannot decide if I like more the one with lemon and ginger or the one with cheese. A perfect ending for a perfect day.
The evening passes by and I don’t even notice. Me and Gunnar exchange some photographs. He loves taking some photographs and during the day I think we took way too many of them. But it was impossible to stop it! I am sure that today was the way when I took more photographs at the same time.
My last morning in paradise is also wonderful. After another delicious breakfast, I pack some sandwiches and some food for the road. Ivar gives me a wonderful souvenir of our days together: a wooden cup, Scandinavian style! And he also gives me a wool hat, which I so much needed! How could he possibly know? Gunnar gives me some insoles for my boots, which I also needed, and some chocolate snacks for the trip. I am ready to go even though I don’t really want to. I am excited to keep exploring Norway but I could also stay here forever!
Gunnar drives me to Fagerhaug, near Oppdal, from where I can keep trying to reach Trondheim.
10 Years Around the World 