Prisoner of Hopes

Tag: connection

  • Forest Bathing: Travel Goals Norway

    Forest Bathing: Travel Goals Norway

    Nothing seems as good for my soul as a long walk in the woods. The sun is shining on the frozen lake. The water is warming and thawing slowly. But the forest calls me to its shadows. Buds are appearing on the branches. Crocus and bluebells make their colorful entry to the forest floor. The…

  • The National Treasures: Travel Goals Norway

    The National Treasures: Travel Goals Norway

    When I visit national museums in capital cities, I begin to understand the culture a little more deeply. What do they treasure and what do they wonder about? Why is there a large gallery of sculptures that are only copies of pieces found elsewhere in the world? What artifacts were deemed worthy of keeping? The…

  • Remembrance: Travel Goals Norway

    Remembrance: Travel Goals Norway

    The Holocaust Center in Oslo is located in the former home of the Norwegian Nazi party leader, Vidkun Quisling. His mansion seems in gross excess compared to most Oslo city dwellings. It is now a center that commemorates the forced removal of over 700 Jewish citizens during World War II. Many of the deportees, especially…

  • Seeking Peace: Travel Goals Norway

    Seeking Peace: Travel Goals Norway

    Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 Peace is an illusive goal. I question whether it is even possible in a broken world. Freedom from disturbance. Tranquility. A time of no war. “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart…..” As we wander through the Nobel…

  • Ferry and Fortress: Travel Goals Norway

    Ferry and Fortress: Travel Goals Norway

    It is a lazy Saturday in Norway and the sun is shining. Each morning I thank God for the health and ability to travel and experience a new life style. Our day starts slowly. I have some muesli and coffee and catch up on some reading. Eventually we leave the house. We are in no…

  • Parkering: Travel Goals Norway

    Parkering: Travel Goals Norway

    Norway is full of surprises. Everyday we find something strange (to us) yet wonderful. Brown cheese is the best! Skiing to town! And amazing public transport….America has a lot to learn from our Scandinavian friends. On almost every corner we find a sign that reads “parkering forbudt” which means parking is forbidden. Because public transportation…

  • Chasing the Northern Lights: Travel Goals Norway

    Chasing the Northern Lights: Travel Goals Norway

    One of the best reasons to come to Norway in winter is to see the Northern Lights. We brave the cold and the snow. We take a boat up the coast far beyond the arctic circle. We encounter six nights with low clouds and wind and snow. With only one night left, we sign up…

  • Accidental Tromsø: Travel Goals Norway

    Accidental Tromsø: Travel Goals Norway

    Some days you just stumble into fun. Today we are walking to the polar museum, but run across a house that says restaurant and museum. So, of course, in we go. There are no people. None. A self pay machine let us in. The building has previously been a warehouse on the dock. It houses…

  • The Struggle: Travel Goals Norway

    The Struggle: Travel Goals Norway

    Excitement is high as we land in Tromso, Norway. It is beautiful. Mountains and fjords merge together under a cloudy sky. Dramatic is the only word to describe the landscape. Here we disembark. We wait impatiently for others to leave the ship. Many only have a few hours to experience Tromso and we will stay…

  • Watching the World Go By: Travel Goals Norway

    Watching the World Go By: Travel Goals Norway

    I love to be at sea. Early in the morning, I am often the only one on deck. As morning breaks over the water, at first only shadows appear. Slowly the landscape takes shape amid an orange glow. The waves are shadowy and alive. The air smells clean and the wind is brisk. It is…