THE GOAT - BERGEN CITY, NORWAY - DAY 6

My stomach, as you all know, felt pretty horrible this morning. I told Anita about my tummy troubles. She was once a nurse, so she gave me some Imodium to take with me on my trip, and a Nexium pill to take right away, (different than our Nexium) at home. She called the doctor for me, and after telling him my symptoms, that unfortunately there’s nothing they can do for me because they don’t know the bacteria in my system. They said I just need to drink a lot of fluids to get it out, and to eat bland foods. It doesn’t seem viral at least, which is a good sign. I was hoping for a more immediate fix, but I’ll have to Viking it out. Anita also told me that she, and everyone in the family has had stomach problems their whole life. I guess it runs in the family.

I leave my "Thank You" card for Ove and Anita, and strip and fold all of my towels and sheets. Arne, his wife Solrid and Izzy arrive to take me to Bergen. I’ve only managed to stomach cereal, and I’m not feeling great.

We arrive in Bergen and my hostel is right next to a narcotic street haha! It’s harmless as long as I don’t walk through there, or talk to anyone getting loaded. There are lots of other really nice cafes and hotels next to my hostel, and I’m steps away from the harbor, so it’s technically a pretty good area. Arne, Izzy and Solfrid, weren't sure if they should drop me off, but I insist it's alright- It's the middle of the day, and the hostel is steps away from the car. I thank them over and over, hug everyone goodbye. They watch me walk in the hostel building, and I wave.

Thanks to Ove, I’ve already seen the best parts of the city, but it’s early, a beautiful, hot day, and I’m in no mood to eat. I drop my big bag at the hostel and start to explore. Everything I want to do in the city of Bergen is completed in just a couple hours.

First I go to the train station to pick up my fjord tour tickets for tomorrow and confirm my train to Oslo Sentrum the morning after next. Then I go back to Bryggen on the harbor to take photos. It’s pretty crowded with tourists, and I still feel like shit (haha). I move slowly, and eventually make my way over to Tuba Kuba. It’s walkable, but I feel like crap, (lol). It’s only $10 to ride the tram up and down. I feel like a reaaaalllll tourist here, which I generally try to avoid, but it’s the only way to go, and it’s PACKED with people. Everything runs like a well oiled machine with the trams and the line, so I don’t have to wait too long.

I take the tram up, and have an entire overlook of the city. I follow the map, and head away from the cafe and majority of the tourists, and into the woods. The lady at the ticket counter said Tuba Kuba is somewhere in this general area where I'm heading in the forest. I'll just have to try and find it. I pass free roaming goats on my way, and then notice a man-made path just off to the side. Unsure of where it could lead, I take it- It leads me right to Tuba Kuba! The door is locked but I can vaguely see from the outside what it’s like. A pretty cool concept and a neat place to stay. Looking at the front door, I have to make a Swedish joke.... What do you get when you put a bunch of Norwegian architectural students together?

....A sphincter.

I wandered the woods further, still alone. I know you hate the idea of that, but everything was really safe, and impossible to get lost in. I only turned around once when I noticed a blue tarp hanging ominously off to the side where a potential homeless or drug addict was squatting.

Once again in the city, I search for nature. It’s really beautiful, and a perfect place, not just for tourists, but for families to come and enjoy the outdoors- A really close escape from the city.

After spending a lot of time wandering and photographing the woods, I’m satisfied and tram down. Another sunny, beautiful overlook do Bergen.

After this, I’m rather hungry, but not sure how my stomach will take things. Plus it’s Sunday, so all of the super markets are closed. I round a corner, next to the fish market / harbor, and find a small sandwich place, also around the other corner from my hostel. I get takeaway for chips, and chicken and noodles. It’s a little expensive like everything in Norway, but worth it's worth it. It feels good for my stomach, but everything it's still making noise. I catch up with messages on social media because I have WiFi now- I do this as I eat a late lunch in the common area of the hostel.

I know I for sure I need to pack something for my adventure tomorrow, and traveling to Oslo thereafter. I notice an info cork board in the hostel when doing social media, and find ONE super market open on Sundays. Thank God.

I don’t get anything fancy. I have fruit, granola bars, almonds, and simple ham and cheese sandwiches. I buy these groceries, enjoy being outside, even though I’m not feeling 100%, and take in the sights as I slowly walk back. I get a sunny view of the harbor, walk along an expensive neighborhood, and a sunny view of Bryggen.

I come back to the hostel, make my sandwiches and throw everything in the fridge, get my big pack and claim a bed in my room. It’s 7:30PM, but still sunny outside like it’s noon. *In Scandinavia, the sun barely sets during the Summer, because these countries are so far north of the equator. This is also the same reason why it gets dark around 2PM in the Winter, resulting in only a few hours of day light...And Scandinavians being depressed alcoholics.

It’s a shame to be inside on a night like this, but I’ve done a lot today, I’m not feeling well although “stable”, and I need to be up EARLY for a long journey tomorrow starting at the train station at 6:51AM, (but will probably be there at 6:20AM).

P.S. Bergen is beautiful. It reminds me a lot of Gammla Stan in Stockholm, and some parts resemble Visby in Gotland.

More tomorrow with the fjords! Love you!

-eM