I found this on You Tube and I love his voice - Kurt Nilsen, Norway World Idol 2004
Nearly six months have gone by since we had our holiday. It cheers me up a bit, when the days are short and the weather's rough, to look back at some of the photos we took.
Our first stop off was in Norway, Kristiansand. A beautiful little harbour town. The sun was shining and wild flowers were out all along the path into the main street. What really struck me though was how the recession had hit over there as much or even more so than here. A lot of their economy depends on tourism - the shops were struggling - sales and slashed prices. A young woman was curled up against a concrete pillar, a small empty chipped pottery bowl by her feet. She was younger than my daughter. Her plight touched me. I tipped the meagre bits of Norwegian coinage I had in my purse into the bowl. Honestly, it was almost nothing. She reached out and held my hand for a few minutes and the communion of eyes said it all. It's winter in Norway now too. I can still picture her face. I hope she's OK.
That was so nice of you Molly!
ReplyDeleteMy mothers family was from Norway. She used to say they were om wayyy up north....Norderland. It would have been so neat to take your journey. I bet you have amazing memories....and I bet it's awfully cold there right now.
Norway is really beautiful - it would be fantastic for you to some day follow your roots. Their winters are a lot colder than ours.
DeleteSo do I, Molly. Nowhere to go and nothing to eat is hard to contemplate.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many people now in that situation
DeleteHow sad - I do hope she is all right. Hope your weather has improved - not long now until spring!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI saw some primroses out in my front border so ..... it must be on its way. Hope your weather is good too.
DeleteOh, Molly, I know how you felt/feel. The face of poverty and hopelessness affects me so. You are a good soul. We can help when we see sadness and then only hope that others will do the same.
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The situation doesn't seem to be getting any better. We went into Shrewsbury today - not been there since last summer - a whole venue of shops had closed down - it was like walking through a ghost area.
DeleteProof, if needed, that things are much the same the world over. When in Morocco I find myself giving more to the poor beggars (usually blind or disabled) than I spend on myself. How can one not!
ReplyDeleteI know.
DeleteI hope too, that she is okay. It seems much of the world is doing it tough now.
ReplyDeleteI love that blue urn you photographed.
I do too - it is.
ReplyDeleteSo many in the county where our old house is are without jobs. Really we are told the economy has turned but many have not recovered at all. Joe and I do what we can as we understand we are blessed so much. Have a terrific weekend, Olive
ReplyDeleteThey keep telling us that ours has too, but it doesn't look much like it. Hope your op goes well xx
DeleteSuper photos and I love that voice, Molly. You're right about the way the recession has hurt so many people. I always think of Norway as successful and prosperous, but sadly nowhere is immune nowadays.
ReplyDeleteI think that it may just have been 'sale time' - it is a beautiful country.
DeleteYou old softie, Molly. I know just how you feel.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that Norway is the richest country not only in Europe, but in the world? At least it was, a few years ago. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t poor people.
A lovely voice, I’d never heard of him.
I didn't know that. Maybe the sales were just on. They didn't look awash with customers so it was probably just my impression. He has got a fantastic voice - I've listened to quite a few of his songs on Youtube
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