As I prepare to embark on a year in Norway I decided to reflect on my first time traveling to my Grandmother’s homeland. I remember sitting at the kitchen table in the old house–grandma was sitting directly across from me. My mom asked my sister and I if we would want to go to Norway with grandma and grandpa for a month. To their surprise we (or at least I) said yes right away. Over the next few weeks Grandma told us all about the Norwegians– each of their names and relation to the two of us. I could tell she was nervous about taking us to her family. She made sure we knew all of the rules and customs for when we would be over there. The one rule I remember the best was not being able to get up in the middle of dinner to use the bathroom. Grandma had told us that this was not allowed in Norway so during the time leading up to the trip we practiced staying at the table. Now that I look back on it, I do not think we ever used to get up from the table in the middle of dinner. However, as soon as we knew we couldn’t leave, it felt like the hardest thing in the world. Grandma also told me that I would have to eat fruit on my pancakes instead of sugar. At the time this seemed like a really big deal. To my disappointment she explained to me that there would (most likely) only be blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries– three berries I did not like at the time.

          I remember just snippets of the plane ride. Although I feel like (more…)