Tomorrow. Ill be leaving Paris for the Norwegian easter- Påske. Finally, after three years away and abroad Ill be spending the best break in the best way. In Norway Easter is a pretty big deal. This is funny because Norway is not particularily religious and we for sure do not spend the break going to church. Rather, we go to "the church of Norwegianess" (excuse my nationalism, its that time of the year) ie the Mountains. Despite popular beleif, Påskefjellet, is not a specific mountain. (Rather it is any mountain you go to during påske) A few years back, me, my brother and Dad bought a cabin in Jotunheimen, whose name means the home of the Trolls pretty much (except if you wanna get picky in terms of your ancient viking mythology) Also, by northAm standards, I dont think it really counts as a cabin- the whole thing is about as big as my entire room, there is no electricity and no power. This will be our first easter together there. 


The activities in Easter Norway are very specific. Most importantly, you are to spend your time cross country skiing, preferrably in tarditional pants "nikkers" and a red annorak. As Norwegians are born with skiis on our legs this is all very natural to us. 

Also, an interesting phenomenon takes place during easter in the mountains. Suddenly all Norwegians get out of their shells and say hi to all the people they meet in the tracks. This could be a consequence of the amounts of Jagermaister consumed, or it could reflect the guarantee that the people you meet in the tracks are "good norwegians." Further, the Easter major event, is the easter skiing competiton. Here all ages "compete" and get prizes, its all very fun. 

Another important aspect of easter is the time spent in the "sun wall" (the end of your cabin facing the sun) working desperately on getting a goggle tan while eating the holiday cuisine: Kvikk Lunsj chocolate and orange pop "solo." 

When the sun sets, most people cuddle up and read crime books or watch crime television. This usually come in morbid miniseries imported from Britain. Also, everybody watches the easter quiz- at 1930- after the national news on the national tv station. The easter quiz is made by the same guy (Roar Øyen) who does the christmas quiz and they are always very easy. During the quiz you can be guaranteed that some grown up will ask "what does this guy do the rest of the year?" and then everybody laughs. 

GOD PÅSKE!