Peace, Love, and Lutefisk: Adventures i Norge

Craziness this weekend in a few different ways, well four to be precise. Which means of course, we start by setting the stage with the 4 x 4 art show.

This weekend there has been an interactive, modern art exhibition here in Tromsø called 4 x 4. There was an amazing mix of video art, live art, dance, sound, and improvisation. My favorite was probably the hypnotic modern Sami joik combined with random instrumentation from a Portuguese guy named Nunu. It made sense at the time. The exhibit did a great job of making me wonder what was real and what was part of the show because artists were throughout the building and occasionally there would be a dancing tree on the stairs or someone with their head in a pile of moss. All in all, great fun.

The second randomness of this weekend was on the way to the show tonight when I saw the craziest dog collar I've ever seen. There was a big dog sniffing a tree and around its neck was a bright, multi-color, blinking collar. It was like a disco ball on its neck, or maybe better described as a Simon dog collar. You remember that game where green, yellow, red or blue would light up and you'd have to push it. Well, I guess it was useful so the owner didn't lose his dog...but also in case of parties.

The third, not so random more just fun, was a welcome party for the first year peace students! Everyone brought food from their home countries so I enjoyed a Sudanese salad, rice water from Mexico, and whale meat from Norway. I contributed my mom's nacho dip, which I guess is a bit Mexican, but I think that since it is layered it is also American.

OK, finally the big finish. My day as a hero! Yes, I'm a local hero for one lucky 18 year old boy...at least I hope I am. I was walking to town on Saturday and saw a young kid who was obviously drunk and staggering down the street. It normally wouldn't worry me too much but the street was next to a big drop off and it looked like he might fall over the guard rail and down the hill. So I went over to home and made him sit down when I realized that he was in severe pain (beyond the alcohol). I lifted up his shirt and he scratch marks all down his stomach and back as if he had gotten into a fight. I decided that I should call the ambulance and reached for my phone...unfortunately I didn't know which number to dial! Here in Norway, they have a separate number for the fire department, police department, and hospital. I knew it was either 111, 112, or 113, so I went with the first one. Sure enough someone picked up right away and I told them the story. They paused and said, "you know that you're talking to the fire department?" So they connected me and eventually the police came and took my statement and number in case I was needed as a witness. I like to think that I helped the kid out, but I'm not quite sure since the whole time I was on the phone he just said "don't call the police, don't call the police." Maybe I should lock my door so he doesn't come scratch me!

So, an average weekend here in Tromsø. The snow is already on the top of the mountains, and oh yeah, the fifth exciting thing, the first northern lights! Saturday night they appeared for the first time which means it is getting dark and winter is coming...but it is beautiful none-the-less, and as you can tell, never dull.