17 May Celebrations in Norway
This was the second time that I got to celebrate the Norwegian National Day, and both times have not been as 'normal' as it usually is. So last year I did a lot of reading and I also heard a lot of stories from my friends who told me the traditions and how crazy it gets. I also learned that the biggest difference between the way they celebrate their 'freedom day' and the way we celebrate is not only the different dates it falls on, but also the focus.
Back home we honour the freedom fighters, and so the day revolves around those who fought and lost their lives so that we could be free. Everybody gathers, including the President and First Lady and we celebrate that way. Whereas here in Norway, the focus is on the children and that's just something so different!
My host mom told me about how when the girls were younger, the 17th of May was the craziest day because everybody would stand up early and get ready for different activities that was planned for the day, including marching in the street and having ice cream and playing instruments. As I have mentioned in a last year's post about the 17th of May, traditional clothing, namely the 'Bunad' is worn and everybody looks so beautiful.
My host mom told me about how when the girls were younger, the 17th of May was the craziest day because everybody would stand up early and get ready for different activities that was planned for the day, including marching in the street and having ice cream and playing instruments. As I have mentioned in a last year's post about the 17th of May, traditional clothing, namely the 'bunad' is worn and everybody looks so beautiful. Each bunad shows which county one is from, so by looking at the design, one can guess which parts of Norway someone is from!
My host mom told me about how when the girls were younger, the 17th of May was the craziest day because everybody would stand up early and get ready for different activities that was planned for the day, including marching in the street and having ice cream and playing instruments. As I have mentioned in a last year's post about the 17th of May, traditional clothing, namely the 'Bunad' is worn and everybody looks so beautiful.
This year was almost similar to last year, just that I celebrated with my host family instead of Aunt Iselin and I slept in instead of joining the 'tog' which is a group of people of all ages marching down the street in honor of this day. As they did last year, the Norwegian Royal family drove around in the streets of Oslo and waved at people. Imagine just walking down the street and you see the Royal family waving at you, you would freak out if the Royal family meant so much to you.
Come to think of it, I think the Royal family is cool, or having the titles and everything, but it still hasn't sunk in that Royal is thaaaaat ROYAL. You know? I don't know, I'm just weird like that. I guess I'll find out when I meet them one day and my reaction will say everything!
I wanted to share some of the pictures I took on the 17th of May, my host mom said usually the decorations were waaayyy insane but the 'little' decorations I saw on that day blew my mind away. I just walked around the table wowing my way around. It was beautiful!
And cake, this was delicious!
They told me about how the girls used to dress up and play with the decorations on the table, now since all of them are 18 and above, there is no longer a fuss about the 17th of May. Since two of my host sisters were home for the holidays, we went on a long walk before we had dinner, and that was good. I realised that I did not pant or get tired at all and I guessed it was because I had been riding the bike to and from school so I've sorta kinda been working out!
After the walk it was dinner and I went back to my room and did more homework, I mean I tried but just faded out because I was exhausted and there's nothing better than going to sleep when you are drained. My room still looked messy, but it has been in that state for a while and we are working out arrangements on how we can maintain a cleaner relationship.
And finally, me being recently lazy.
Looking forward to the summer, but also so tired that.. dammmnnn
See you later!
#dreams #lazy #growingup #study #17may #may #norway