Rotary World Service - District 5950 Group Study Exchange 2003

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Mike Morris
John Hobday
Margit Karkela
Lynn Keillor
Alanna Simone Tyler

THE TRIP
April 22-23 - Days 1-2
April 24 - Day 3
April 25 - Day 4
April 26 - Day 5
April 27 - Day 6
April 28 - Day 7
April 29 - Day 8
April 30 - Day 9
May 1 - Day 10
May 2 - Day 11
May 3 - Day 12
May 4 - Day 13
May 5 - Day 14
May 6 - Day 15
May 7 - Day 16
May 8 - Day 17
May 9 - Day 18
May 10 - Day 19
May 11 - Day 20
May 12 - Day 21
May 13 - Day 22
May 14 - Day 23
May 15 - Day 24
May 16 - Day 25
May 17 - Day 26
May 18 - Day 27
May 19 - Day 28
May 20 - Day 29

May 4, 2003
Gol - Hemsedal
Alanna Simone Tyler

The ski season ended today in Hemsedal, Norway but not before the GSE Team had the opportunity to enjoy the snow.

With Gol Rotarians  Birger Rustberggard and Alexander Ferner (both are quite accomplished downhill  skiers), Mike and Margit opted for downhill skiing.  They  represented the GSE Team very well on the slopes.  Mike’s performance on the slopes is not surprising considering that he skis often in Minnesota and has skied before here in Norway.  However, Margit is deserving of special recognition because it has been about ten years since she skied downhill.  She only fell once! Way to go Margit! (Photo right: Our delightful and fun-loving Gol hosts - Birgir, Alexander, and Reidar.)

  John  took snowboarding lessons prior to our GSE trip.  However, there was not much snow in Minnesota last year and he was disappointed he did not get to practice what he learned.  I am pleased to report that John, wearing his own blue protective helmet, made it down the hill several times.  At-a-boy John!! (Photo left: John, Mike, Margit and host Alexander Ferner enjoying the outstanding skiing and snowboarding at Hemsedal.)

Lynn and I joined father and son Rotarians, Reider and Tor-Olav Sviggum for cross-country skiing.  We had a excellent ski trip.  The trip was excellent because:

·         of the company of Reidar and Tor-Olav.  They were patient teachers and they know Hemsedal very well.  Reidar brought along his dog, Faun.  We each had the opportunity to be pulled by Faun.  That was so fun.

·         of the majesty of the mountains and the dramatic clouds.  Lynn and I took photos but they will be inadequate to convey how special the landscape was today at Hemsedal. 

·         we sat down on a little bench made of snow for a lunch of sandwiches, coffee, hot chocolate, oranges and Kvikk Lunsj candy bars (similar to a Kit-Kat).   I am told it is not a real Norwegian cross-country skiing trip without the candy bars and oranges.

·         even though I fell (and I won’t say how many times) I got back up and nothing was broken.  Like Margit, it has been many years since I last skied.  I immensely enjoyed the skiing today and I look forward to cross-country skiing with Lynn at Wirth Park in Minnesota next winter!

I returned in tact to the home of my host, Vita Simon.  Vita is the immediate past president of the Gol Rotary Club and a clothing designer with two labels, Vitabella and Simone.  When I arrived at home I found Vita working on a more personal sewing project:  a stakk for her daughter.  The stakk is the less formal version of the bunad.  Both are traditional Norwegian outfits.  The bunad is for special occasions. 

After a great dinner, we were fortunate to see 20 years of slides presented by Vita’s mother, Li Simon.  Mrs. Simon is seventy-six years old and has a memory that I as a young women envy.   She is also a great photographer as was evident by her slides.  I have enjoyed talking with Mrs. Simon about how her artisan work with sheep hides and about how Norway has changed since she arrived here from Denmark in 1949.

(Photo Left: Mike's host, Ola Husum, and Stella - overlooking Gol, a town of 4500 nestled in the Hallingdal valley.)