(Original Post Date May 1)

Tonight as I was turning off the tv sound system, the radio came on by accident with a song from the 80’s called “Take On Me”. Remember the video? A hand from a cartoon dimension reaches out to a lady of human dimensions and both worlds unite? I stood there amazed remembering Bergen.

I met a wonderful Norwegian man when I lived near Venice, two years into our relationship he asked me to move to Norway for a few months and I did. One day, the song “Take On Me” by A-Ha came on. He stopped to look at the radio and laughed saying; “Their English is awful! This isn’t English it’s Norwegian!”. I said that it sounded pretty good to me. He explained that A-Ha is from Norway, and lost in translation is the fact that in Norwegian “take on me” means “Reach out to me” or “touch me”.

One day I tried to close the windows since it was dark and snowing outside. He seemed frustrated but patiently explained “You always need fresh air. Why would you want to close the windows or close the blinds? Closing the blinds to us is like trying to keep the world out, that’s why you always see open windows and open doors. Anyone can just walk in, it’s okay… ”

So, as I stood in the bedroom and looked out I stared at the maze of windows in front of me. People having dinner. People sleeping. People kissing. People studying.

Likewise, I’m sure they saw me! Norwegian winter brought 21 hour nights, and 3 hours days and we kept our windows open and our lights on. I pretended I had privacy and proceeded to let the world into my life and share my life to the world…

Now I live in the United States, and a few days ago I opened a few windows to get some fresh air. Through instinct I closed all of them but a small one way up high. It was 7 feet up, and no one could see inside, but I could still get fresh air.

To my surprise, a neighbor who I’ve never met before, and never spoke to before knocked on my door. She was biting her nail looking concerned and apologetic. She said “I’m sorry, but did you know that you have a window open? I was walking to my backyard and thought, Oh my goodness, I wonder if they realize it!” I thanked her.

In disbelief I remembered what my ex had said. He would have been shocked at the fact that a neighbor actually came over and was concerned enough to ask me to close the window.

Americans hear “take me on” and tend to close their windows, thereby closing the world…

Norway hears “reach out to me” and open their widows, refusing to keep the world out…

I miss the world in my life, I really do… I wish a hand from another dimension would reach out to me kindly caring to know mine.

(Original Post Date Sept 4)

Before going ‘home’ for the holidays in Norway, the Viking and I spent over a month in a picturesque Italian town nestled in the alps. Population: 150 (official count is 750, but I wonder if it includes the houses below). Language: Venetian Dialect. Streets: only one street rich in history and tradition.

I arrived in Italy a week before he did and boy was I in for a surprise! In that little town I learned the meaning of "friendship, family, fresh food, and small town charm!".

It took me a full day of travel to finally reach the small secluded Italian town from California. When I finally arrived to the train station on the valley below, I hadn’t been able to sleep in over 30 hours and I was exhausted! but had to wait in the crisp December breeze for the landlady, since she insisted on picking me up from the train station.

"Leave the luggage in the car, lets go shopping!". The "quick drive home" twisted and turned through a dangerously narrow alpine road with breath taking views, and the minutes turned into hours of shopping and meeting her friends. She treated me like a guest, and I felt at home!

Ah, but afterwards she refused to take me home since "it's dark, no one is there, and the grocery store is closed", so she insisted I joining her for a meal with her husband, two very well behaved courteous young boys, and many of the town residents.

After full day of schmoozing Italian style, I finally opened the door to my cozy apartment and went straight to the bedroom and opened the window taking in the crisp winter air, and fell in bed admiring the massive view of the alps with a smile. My first day back in Italy had been very heart warming!

When the Viking finally arrived from Norway to join me, he had it coming since by then the entire town of 150 knew about us and wanted to know all about these two foreigners in this very history rich small corner of Italy!

Two days before Christmas, we left to Venice in order to finish our Christmas shopping and we rushed "home" to Bergen, Norway to spend Christmas with his family… but this small Italian town stayed in my heart!

Today I came across pictures of another small town gifted with similar breathtaking views, but something else happened and it's hard to explain! All the citizens left!

They abandoned their roots, local traditions, and homes! I'm sure this town also had so much to offer! What causes citizens to abandon en masse their beloved traditions and home?