Veldig godt!

Finally it is over, the Opera has finished. Yesterday was the last show and we all can look back to successful but exhausting weeks. For me it was a good experience and I actually learned more Norwegian during that time than in class – and till the end I even understood the plot. Broadly speaking Hoffmann remembers his passed love affairs which are presented in the different acts. It is a bit weird and abstract, but I guess that is the purpose of an opera. All in all it was a convincing performance, but I guess I will not watch it another time, even if I would have the opportunity to go for free – three weeks were just enough.

Today we only went back to the Opera to tidy up. We had to remove the scene and the floor, take the cables away, fold the curtains, put everything out and into the cars. It was quite a lot to do, but now we are done.

For me it was nice to be part of that whole opera thing and I would participate again if I had the chance to, but right now I am happy that it is over. I spent many hours there the last few weeks, but now I want to have my evenings back. Luckily this week was a bit more relaxed because of the school holidays.

I went to Småbarnstreff as usual and finally I had the chance to play with children because two mothers and their kids from the previous year showed up, but they only had time because of the holidays and that way it does not really count. But anyway, Oleksandr, who joined me for the first time, and me could play football with the older kids while the younger ones were playing with toys. That way it was fine to be there, even if I still think that Småbarnstreff needs a break…

On Tuesday I had the day off except for the Opera in the evening and I only had to work on Wednesday again. A special event called ‘verdensdagen for psykisk helse’ took place. The point is to get people out of their houses and to do something for their psychic health with activities like a scavenger hunt. We volunteers were responsible for marking the route and distributing coffee and tea as well as fruits for the returnees. In addition they could play some games afterwards, but it was so cold that most people left after recieving their medals. Honestly I was happy to leave earlier too because Barbara and me had to go to the knitting group. I could not feel my feet anymore when I reached the office…

On Thursday nothing special happened, just another day I spent in the Opera, but on Friday I met three Australian youths from Melbourne on their way to Ålesund in the supermarket by coincidence. The way they were standing in front of the shelves without a clue what to buy told me that they have to be holidaymakers. We started up a conversation and they were really pleased when I did not take them for American tourists (it was obvious, their way of speaking was much more enjoyable). Somehow this was really important for them ;) They travelled through half Europe before they came to Norway, their final destination. They told me that for Australians it is the dream travel destination number one what surprised me a bit. But this country seems to be very fascinating for them and actually it is for me as well. I just did not expect people coming from the other side of the globe to say that. It was super nice to talk to them about this and that, and now they know what EVS is (the group was quite impressed) as well as I know that I should not go to Sydney when I want to visit Australia because it is culturally destroyed by tourism. Good to know :D

Ha det bra!

Alisa