How I Ended Up in Norway (II)

In the previous post I talked about how the idea of me moving to Norway was merely a talk over pizza, but one that would eventually come to life. In this second post, I would like to share the period before I actually left for Norway, including: getting my passport, quitting from my Bachelor of Laws Degree and the waiting period.

Although Aunt Iselin and I spoke about me possibly coming to Norway way earlier on, I decided to apply at the University of Namibia for law because that's what I always wanted to study and I was not sure if Norway would actually happen. I guess I was just making sure I had something to fall back on if none of our applications went through, but I eventually had to quit... before that.

I remember the day that I was cancelling my qualification, the Dean told me, 'it's good, go as far away as you can. I spent a few months in Switzerland some years ago and to this day I wish I had continued there', he said. His words got stuck in my mind and it meant a lot to me coming from him because he hardly showed any emotion, especially during the registration period, he was just omg, never mind haha. But he made me feel rather confident about my decision, and so I quit my life-long dream and decided to embark on this new journey. I was 19, I had nothing to lose, except that I probably would not be graduating anytime soon, but there's more to life than a graduation gown right?

"My life is so different now compared to the life I had a few months ago. I lost friends, I broke up with my boyfriend, I lost my job and all I do is stay at home now. I guess things and people that weren't meant to be are phasing out"
-20 May 2019, from my handwritten diary

The time after I dropped out of university and started staying home was one of the worst times of my life. My friends were too busy adjusting into 'university life', and although we spoke sometimes, I felt lonely every single day. I would say to myself that I was only breathing and not living, because that's exactly how I felt. Every single day was the same, nothing going on. But then again, I couldn't complain because it was a decision I had made and I just needed to trust the process, which I did. My mom and sisters were really the ones that made me feel like I was still somebody, like they made me feel like I was still appreciated, they never changed towards me.

After my passport arrived, Aunt Iselin bought me an Intercape bus ticket and booked a hotel room for me too where I would be staying for at least a week (she included some extra days just in case something went wrong and we needed more time, turns out, she was right!). I cried when the day came and I bade my mom and sister farewell. It was an emotional day for us, we couldn't believe that it was really happening. I feel like we made such a big deal out of it because I was a girl that had grown up with a struggling mother, a girl who had nothing to eat most nights and that's why just getting on that bus, or just holding my passport in my hands felt like a dream. A magical one.

So, I arrived in Cape Town the next day and had to find my way around. I made some friends on the bus and all I had to do then was follow them.

I took an Uber to the hotel and settled in. It was not long before I learned that I had forgotten my bank card back home in Namibia, and so I had now major issues with paying for the Norwegian Visa. I told Aunt Iselin about it and although it was a rather stressful situation, she managed to talk to some friends of friends she had in Cape Town who then gave me some money at the hotel the next day. Once again, Aunt Iselin had taken care of that. I was really embarassed, and grateful!

Hold on, I feel like I am writing way too much and it's kind of getting depressing so I will just end this post right here before I erase everything I've just written:(

Oh wait, let me add this little detail:

Aunt Iselin bought me another ticket to go to Robben Island and that was amazing, an experience I will never forget. I made another friend there, she was amazing and we got along so well, I still have her number to this day and we still talk sometimes. Shout out to you Lorinda! Wanna give a shout out to the lady at Garden's Mall Western Union office too, she really helped me a lot... and all the wonderful people I met along the way that just fell into place like they were meant to. Not to forget the young man that gave me directions (I was gonna opt for the highway but he told me a shortcut), the kind lady at the Norwegian Embassy who was very patient as I waited for the money and another lady at the mall that kept me company as I charged my phone at an ice-cream place. Oh, thank you to that guy too who allowed me to charge my phone haha. Last but not least, among others, the man that borrowed me his charger at the hotel and the salesman that sold a charger for half the price. Thank you. Oh wow, I was one lucky 19 year old girl in the streets of Cape Town!

NB: One more post to go, one actually about Norway!

dancing hearts, Queen

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