October was my favorite month in Norway so far. Okay, I know I’ve only been here for three months, but it was the best. Then again I’m not sure how much that had to do with being in Norway specifically, as I was mostly just overjoyed to finally, after five autumn-less years in Asia, be reunited with fall colors!
It seemed like Trondheim became more beautiful each day in October. We also had so many sunny days here, giving us all a good dose of vitamin D before the winter darkness sets in.
I also managed to get out of Trondheim for a bit this month, and remembered what my absolute favorite thing about Norway is: the mountains! My trip to a friend’s mountain cabin at the beginning of the month came at the perfect time. I was feeling overwhelmed and a little defeated by Norway, but a couple of days in the Folldall mountains easily renewed my [over]enthusiasm for this country. What a relief!
The Language
I studied Norwegian like crazy this month and think I turned an important corner. You know when you’re learning a new language and at some point it’s like someone takes the ear muffs off of you and suddenly everything sounds crisp and clear? It happened to me a few times while listening to Norwegian radio over the past months, but then I would inevitably realize that the program had actually just switched to German. But now it’s finally happened with Norwegian!
It’s amazing what a difference it makes. Like, before I understood most of what I heard, but I always had to concentrate really hard to pick out all the words. Now it just makes sense. And in a funny twist, I can suddenly hear that the people up here in Trondheim are speaking dialect! The intonation is totally different than my Oslo Norwegian (and super fun to mimic) and they make tons of subtle and also not so subtle changes to words. Once it clicked I kept thinking how did I not notice this before??
The Life
This month I finally truly came to terms with the fact that Dan and I are living in a weird transitional phase right now, where very little of what we’re doing is what we want to be doing in the long term, but it’s still a necessary step for getting to where we eventually want to be. Does that make any sense at all?
Basically, we’re not doing the work we want to, but what we are doing is pushing us a bit closer to those goals, and we don’t want to live in Trondheim in the future (though we will stay in Norway!), but it’s the best place for us now. The impatient part of me has been incredibly frustrated setting up this temporary, at times sort of boring life, but somehow I’ve managed to find a (much smaller) mature part of me that has told my impatient side to chill out and wait.
The Blog
Not to get all mushy on you, but I have just been loving blogging lately! I was unsure if I would continue blogging after slowing down my travel schedule, but I’ve found it surprisingly freeing no longer to be tied to writing travel recaps. Now I can write posts about drugs and travel lows, woohoo! Okay, I realize this has also meant that my posts are becoming more and more random and less and less interesting, but it’s all about enjoying writing them, right? Right?
I’ve also been loving receiving submissions from you guys for my new Off the Path series featuring lesser known travel spots. I have a gorgeous post on Shetland coming up that I’ve been so tempted to hit publish on early, but I’m trying to stick to a schedule so you should expect in a week or so.
The Instagram
Trondheim was working those fall colors this month, so it’s no surprise that my most liked Instagram photo was of this pretty city in its autumn glory.
The Blogs I ❤
If you’re a blogger interested in being featured just head over to this page!
How was your October?
You can read my August and September recaps here and here.
P.S. Don’t forget the Lilla Rose giveaway will be running until Wednesday if you want to enter!
Kaelene @Unlocking Kiki says
Those fall colors are just gorgeous! Nothing better than a sunny day in Scandinavia! And how awesome with the language, congrats! I need someone to take my Icelandic ear muffs off anytime now:)
Silvia says
Haha I’d imagine the Icelandic ear muffs are just a bit more stubborn!
Meghan says
The colors in your photos are incredible! As for the transitional stage you find yourself in, I can relate because I struggle with accepting things as they are and need to be when I have grand ideas and plans for the future that I’m eager to jump into. Also, as a multiyear traveler who’s recently found a home base (that includes an actual home to live in) I can relate too to adjusting to a more “boring” life, or at least one that doesn’t include sleeping in a different place every night and seeing new things everyday. So, I’m loving all your recent posts and am interested in what you do next!
Silvia says
This transition really is making me so impatient! I wish I could just fast forward to when I speak the language fluently and have tons of friends, haha.
Van (@snowintromso) says
Kan ikke huske hvilken dialekt jeg hørte da jeg var på utveksling i Trondheim men det nordnorske var kjempe vanskelig for meg da jeg flyttet hit. Så mye Ks hele tia, kvitt og kursen og kem – jeg forstod absolutt ingenting 😀 Men kult hvis dere kommer å flytte nordover 🙂
Silvia says
Jeg har en veninnen fra Lofoten og jeg anner ikke hva hun sier, haha. Trøndersk er mye lettere å forstår enn dialektene i Nordnorge og Bergen, så jeg bor ikke klage! Det er litt flaut å innrømme, men det tok meg sååå lang før jeg la merke til at alle sier ka, kem, korfor, osv. – jeg hørte alltid “hva, hvem, og hvorfor.”
Joella says
Thank you so much for your kind words about my blog, Silvia! And I really like all your posts about drugs and the lows of travelling haha! It’s good to mix it up a bit. Norway just looks so beautiful in the Autumn, but I think I have become a true Californian- I was complaining it was cold this morning but it was still about as warm as an English summer haha! I fancy some Autumn hiking- but do you know where we are going to hike this weekend? The desert! Yep, that’s California for you ha! 🙂
Silvia says
Oh wow, you are becoming a Californian! I do love my Norwegian hikes, but a hike in the desert also sounds pretty great 🙂
Lauren Lalicon says
WOW! Those photos are breathtaking! I totally know what you mean about learning a new language. It exactly is like taking off ear muffs and everything sounding crisp and clear! When I was learning Chinese, it totally came as a surprise to me when I didn’t have to focus so hard on the words, I just listened and understood. Such a satisfying feeling!
Silvia says
Right? It’s such an exciting feeling when everything suddenly becomes clearer!
Arianna says
The place looks so incredibly awesome! Fall up there must be so incredibly gorgeous!!! I am waiting for other stunning photos =)
https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/
Silvia says
Well it’s hard to stop myself from constantly taking photos here, so there will be plenty more to come!
Gerald says
I just love your blog about Norway thank you so very much. After I visit the National Parks spring 2016. I will plan on going to Norway. Again thank you for your stories.
Sincerely,
Jerry
Silvia says
Oh I hope you do come to Norway next! Your 2016 trip sounds fantastic though.
Melanie Fontaine says
Fall really is the best – I cannot imagine what it must have been like to not experience fall for five years! (And, yes, I realize that this sentence may sound a tad bit overdramatic! 😉 ) And I’m glad that you’re beginning to find acceptance and patience for your current stage in life. I’m still working on learning how to be really accepting of where I currently am in life (aka glued to textbooks!), but knowing that other people can cope with the whole thing makes it that much easier! 🙂 And, by the way, I don’t think you’re posts have become less interesting – I still love them just as much as I have before and I love your “Off the beaten path” series! 🙂
Silvia says
I’ve been comparing my situation a lot to studying actually, except that I’m not going to come out the other end with a new degree, haha. But it is easier knowing other people are going through a similar thing!
Katya says
Cheers to writing for the sake of writing! 🙂 Gorgeous fall images, thank you for those! I can never get enough of fall 🙂
Silvia says
Winter is really my favorite season, but this year I’ve found myself dreading the end of these gorgeous fall colors!
Justine says
The fact that you write for the sake of writing is what makes everything you post so interesting! I’m so glad that you’ve stayed enthusiastic about blogging even though you’re not on the road as much. I love reading expaty blogs and I LOVE reading about life in Norway 🙂 It’s such a far cry from Cambodia so I feel like I’m living vicariously through all those Norwegian colors. Ugh, colorful houses, colorful foliage, colorful Northern Lights?! You’re kind of killing me Silvia!
Silvia says
It is funny how different our respective expat homes are at the moment, but then it still feels like we’re going through so many of the same things!
Emily says
Life sounds amazing in Norway! I love how you’re catching on to the languge in a new way. And I totally relate to this post in many ways: fall for the first time after several years without it, being in a weird transitional phase you don’t really “love”. I totally get it.
Silvia says
It’s so comforting to know that I’m not the only one!
Anca | Globaloud says
I was just looking at gorgeous autumn colors on your photos and then I looked through my window for the comparison, hoping to see at least a few shades of yellow. Nope. Nothing. All green. Ok, maybe a few yellow dots, but that’s it. And after a first strong north wind it would be all gone. No leaves at all.
Also, I must say, I started reading your blog only after you moved to Norway and I really enjoy reading. First, because I new so little about Norway. Second, cause I get inspired by the expat stories. Third, cause I have the new city on my bucket list – Trondheim!
Silvia says
I had so many green autumns that this colorful one certainly feels special. And you’ll have to tell me when you finally make it to Trondheim!
Jennifer says
First of all wow – those photos are AMAZING! Norway looks so beautiful – I’m very excited to visit for the first time in January, although I’ll miss those fall colours 🙁
I know exactly what you mean about ‘accepting’ transitional periods. It’s so hard sometimes because I know you just want to fast forward to the next stage, but looking back these are sometimes the best times so try and enjoy it! Looking forward to hearing more about life in Norway.
Silvia says
Norway in January is also pretty magical 🙂 I’m definitely wishing I could fast forward, but you’re right – this time is special too!
Zascha says
I am LOVING those Autumn colours!
I went to Norway a looong time ago on a skiing trip. It was covered in snow but the scenery was absolutely beautiful. Something I’ll never forget.
Maria's Adventure says
Wow, I can’t believe how beautiful these pictures are! And it looks like you are enjoying your time here 🙂
Silvia says
Sometimes I can’t believe how beautiful Trondheim is! Well, parts of Trondheim at least, haha.
Travelsito says
Silvia, this is so great. Colourful, beautiful … Looking forward to reading more of your posts from Norway.
Silvia says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it – there will be many more posts on Norway to come!