Prisoner of Hopes

Tag: History

  • Sleepy Little Town: Travel Goals Norway

    Sleepy Little Town: Travel Goals Norway

    When the Olympics were held in Lillehammer, pundits called it a sleepy little town in Norway. I can’t say if it is “sleepy”. I can say I find it charming. The train trip from Oslo follows endless lakes. This early in the Spring, they are mostly frozen, making the scenery a magical land of sun,…

  • Olympic Spirit: Travel Goals Norway

    Olympic Spirit: Travel Goals Norway

    Daa. Daa. Da dah da dah dah. Bum bum ba bum. bum bum ba badda bum bum bum. Sorry the Olympic fanfare horns are trumpeting in my head and I have to get it out. Excite builds as we approach the Lillehammer Olympic museum. In my head, I see Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding and Oksana…

  • 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…

  • Time Traveling in Oslo: Travel Goals Norway

    Time Traveling in Oslo: Travel Goals Norway

    I love outdoor history museums. The Norsk folk center in Bygdoy did not disappoint. The Norwegian King had entire neighborhoods and farms and other random buildings moved to this park so that visitors can experience life across Norway. Sounds like my idea of fun. I am excited to arrive at the Stave church before any…

  • Military History: Travel Goals Norway

    Military History: Travel Goals Norway

    We aren’t sure what to expect at the Akershus Festning (Fortress). We walked by the large park/military complex when we first arrived in Oslo (two weeks ago). But it is much bigger than it appeared from our walk along the harbor. The walled fortress houses a castle, a resistance museum, a military museum, outdoor amphitheaters,…

  • 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…

  • Trondheim Pilgrimage to Nidaros: Travel Goals

    Trondheim Pilgrimage to Nidaros: Travel Goals

    We dock in the cold, cold rain. Coming down the gangway, the wind blows water into our faces. My husband struggles into his rain suit while I wrestle with my umbrella. We try to follow directions to exit the docks into the town. In the blowing rain, it is unclear which way to go, so…

  • No Particular Place To Go: Travel Goals Norway

    No Particular Place To Go: Travel Goals Norway

    I like days where I wake up in a new place with absolutely no expectations and nowhere to be. There is freedom in letting the day unfold without hurry or pressure. So after a leisurely cup of coffee, we walk down the mountain to Sandvika, a small fishing community that used to be the site…