I am staying in a cottage just a few minutes’ walk from the administrative center of Halsa, a fjord community in northwestern Norway. It’s so integrated into nature that you only notice a big supermarket when you pass by in a car. But with a closer look, you will be surprised at what you find.
There is a town hall, including a library, health center, and service centers. Close by, there is a bank, hardware store, hairdresser, motel, restaurant, nursing home for the elderly, serviced homes for those with mental disabilities, school, sports hall, and more. All blend well with the landscape except for the supermarket, a building that reminds me that this laid-back community also belongs to the real world.
I’m surrounded by beautiful and silent nature. The weather changes from rain to sun and winter to summer temperatures, sometimes several times a day. This and the deep silence are overwhelming for a Filipina like me. But I’m adapting and fully understanding the concept of peace. 🙂 It’s so different from what I’m used to that it’s hard to digest.
Deer often pass by, and I love watching them. Some days ago, our hosts wanted to have a special dinner with me and my husband. Guess what was served?
Deer, of course. Our hosts provided the meat from a local hunter-friend. My husband took care of the cooking with me as his assistant. The quality of the ingredients, the simplicity of the preparation, and a taste of the wild so good that I thought I was dreaming made this little event very special. Add kind people plus raspberries with vanilla cream sauce, and you will understand that a taste of northwest Norway is a must-experience.
