Sunday 18 December 2011


Christmas in Norway (posted by Simon)


Yesssss!! I thought.... Finally I will have escaped from James Bond reruns, the Queens speech (actually Ive never seen that) and the Royale Family at Christmas. No bloody brussell sprouts, that Irish christmas song that goes something about cheap lousy faggot, Christmas Cake or whatever that cow pat is that you cover in brandy butter. Wohoo, lets bring on Christmas Norwegian style!

So insert the first and most confusing thing. Christmas being on the 24TH DECEMBER.... ahem, Christmas Eve is on the 23rd. No it isnt! Christmas Day is on the 24th... No it isnt!. Well in Norway it is. The only advantage I could see to this was being the first in line for the boxing day sales as Id be there a day early but even that didnt pan out for me.

Ah a minor speedbump. Come on, enough of that, lets talk about what we are eating for Christmas Dinner. :)

Rotten Fish?

Aha, we are lost in translation. You mean raw fish right? like Sushi style?



No, its rotten fish. It actually is. And nobody is shy to admit that. So all those friends of mine that have turned their noses up at the suggestion of Sushi, consider yourselves lucky now ...!

Grow me a beard, whack on a pair of NHS glasses, I'll even be Jim Royle if it means consuming something on the right side of the best before labels. How about Sylte Simon? ... Pigs head? What? Did I mention Im Vegan?



I am of course highlighting the things that could be a little off guard :) Im always open minded to trying new things, especially food and as it turns out the Christmas Dinner was exceedingly good with Ribs being a speciality along with potatoes, sauerkraut, port crackling and Christmas Sausages ( I didnt enquire). We had a lovely chocolate Mousse and toasted with a Norwegian spirit Aquavit. Its a little like Tequila, as it also triggers the hurl reflex and goes down like a shot of battery acid. 


But the Norwegians do love to celebrate Christmas and they have traditional games, celebrations that are a joy to be part of. Theres a game where theres a pot of rice pudding with a single almond hidden within and people eat in the hope of stumbling across it and winning a mystery prize present. You also have a game where the family sits around the table and throws a dice with a 1 or a 6 throw winning you a prize from a pool of 15 or 20. THEN, after all are allocated you play for a further 10 minutes where throwing a lucky 1 or 6 will enable you to STEAL a present from someone else. Er what? Get your hands off that thief. Right, Im going home....

So after recovering my christmas mojo we get a visit from Santa. 

wait, wheres Mikio? Oh he had to pop out for a minute. 





What do you mean Im on the naughty list?

































Here the gag reflex moment is captured after my Aquavit pleasant experience



Present opening with the big guy...






I had guessed a large bottle of Whisky. It was a Yoga Mat, hurrah!


Micks enjoying laughs and smiles with MorMor (grandma)


Second visit from Santa. Wheres Emine? Oh she had to pop out...



So although the cultures are different, the weather is 20 degrees colder to the skin that Im used to, Christmas is celebrated in style in Norway with extra emphasis on family visits, goodwill and compassion and festive spirit. And Im for sure that Mikio will grow up to enjoy each and every one, especially when hes at the age when his presents (i.e. playstation games) can be shared by me, I mean all... I must say I found his Fisher Price piano to be of very limited playability due to its repetitive nature.

Finally a huge belated Happy Christmas to everyone and BEST REGARDS for the new year coming up! Lets make it a year we approach with an open heart, a compassionate mind and no regrets!












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