The first time I set foot on Ørsta was in the winter of 2010 upon the invitation of my then-boyfriend-turned-husband Bo. I must say I didn’t have much in the way of expectations as my research about the place did little to make me feel excited about my “future” home. Plus, my host was not one to boast!
Bo met me at the Gardemoen Airport in Oslo where we spent some hours until our next flight to Vigra in nearby Ålesund. It was freezing in Ålesund as it was in Oslo but for some reason, I felt warmly welcomed. A bus finally took us to our final destination, Ørsta. The moment I stepped out of the bus, everything turned magical as the whole place was covered in snow and sparkling like tiny stars under the street lamps. The smell of fresh birch wood smoke belching out of the chimneys prompted me that the jolly Christmas holidays were not too far away. I felt like a little girl once more, this time, in winter wonderland!
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| The sign that greets you at the town sentrum |
The whole three months of my visit were filled with awe and delight as it seemed everything was unfolding like a fairytale with an anticipated happy ending. For someone who grew up in a country with a tropical climate, experiencing snowfall and short daylight hours for the first time are almost surreal. Nevertheless, I made the most of those sunny but chilly winter days walking around town and taking photographs of the Christmassy atmosphere. Bo showed me around whenever he wasn’t working, took me skiing at a nearby ski center in Bondalseidet, went climbing the 800-meter high Melshornet and drove me to nearby towns to check on the local cuisine or do some shopping. We were doing all sorts of stuff while getting to know each other more.
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| My first brave attempt with the slalom! |
After 3 months on a tourist visa, it was time to say goodbye to Ørsta. But I was not going home alone. My prince charming Bo would not let me. It was time for our fairytale to begin.
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