Closing Out My Place in Norway |
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18 June 2025 - Bergen
I am sitting at the Bergen airport after packing up and leaving the hytta on Askøy for the last time. It was bittersweet. I saw Maxwell briefly on Friday when he brought a van and picked up some things. It was the first time I'd seen him in two years. He was happy to take the things and I gave him a big hug. I don't know when I'll be back to Norway again. Linda and Anette are still good friends and I saw them as well. They're both better friends, actually, than I've been able to make in Switzerland so far. My five suitcases contain the last of my belongings from Norway, closing that chapter of my life. My first week here Cara and I were interviewed by the local newspaper, Bergens Tidende, and they wrote about us playing Pokémon Go including a picture of us in action on our phones. The framed copy of that article was the last thing I burned in the fireplace this morning.
Life in general has not been going super well lately, and it was quite emotional to be here. Moving is always emotional. So was seeing Maxwell. I don't know when he'll deign to see me again. Zara will turn 20 in a couple weeks and I haven't seen her in 5 years. The twins I saw at my dad's funeral four years ago, but they were just unkind. I would never wish the pain of being ostracized by your children on anyone. Hopefully putting Norway behind me will heal that wound some. Ole was right to leave in 1850 with his family.
