This isn't easy

Last night when we were pulling away from the dock of Bergen I was rushing with lots of different emotions. The most prevalent was sadness. It's funny how a few days could go by so quickly and being the Type A personality that I am, I was freaking out about August 22nd when I get off the ship and head back to NYC. 

After the trip to see Ole Bull's home I had to head back for duty. I had one incident which was really nice because you really need to think creatively about how to support the students when you have limited access to services. So that morning I woke up, had lunch, laid out, and then went and saw more of Bergen. I took John and Marco shopping at the place that I bought my jacket and shirt. It's almost like G Star but way cheaper. During this second visit in which Marco went back and forth with the items he picked, and John being the high roller and buying a cool pair of Jeans and a Sweater both which was not flattering on my growing gut (which I worked so hard to try to maintain/lose during my last few months in NYC). This time we also became friends with the sales person. His name is Ivan whose an international relations student at the University of Oslo. He's interested in studying abroad in the US so we talked about schools. He invited us to watch the Russia vs. Spain game at a local bar and which I had no interest in futbol, it was a really cool sight to see. It's not as intense as US football games, people were excited but not going crazy. We then headed to a bar where Charlotte, Ivan's girlfriend who joined us at this piano bar called "The Scotsman". People were dancing to the music and the piano man knew every song. The music was in English which I found in my conversations with Ivan and Charlotte who also spoke perfect english that Norway residents take English classes after the 3rd grade, so for them English is the second language spoke in classes. We got into conversations about the US politics which really opened my eyes into how the rest of the world may be interested more so in our politics than some of our own people. Nonetheless, there was a lot of eye opening conversations that I had! We ended up going to a club where all our students were also at and only stayed for a little bit. It was great to see a mix and diversity of people in the room. There were no stares that often times happen in the US when you walk in with someone. 

We got home at 3ish, I went to bed at 4ish and woke up the next morning at 10am because I didn't want to waste my last day away in Bergen. Laarni took us to this cafe that was off the city center that was really nice. I ordered a toasted bagel with creme cheese, pepperoni, and mango...talk about a combination!!! you should totally try it out in the states and tell me if it was good!!!

Ivan met up with us again, we walked around, and then we had to head onto the ship. I hope to keep in touch with Ivan and Charlotte and invited the two of them to NYC to visit! I'm not sure if I'll open up all these invitations but the two of them were individuals who I felt an instant connection with! I think it was their open minded welcome that made me feel that this world is full of good people...you just need to find them and sometimes when your shopping.

Check out facebook for updated pictures!!! More in a few days when I arrive in Russia...so nervous but really excited!!!

David