The Relocation to Breivoll Farm
Written by: Kenver Fetalco, Business
Today, the fifth day of our trip, is when we pack up and head out of the hotel to the DNT offices for a lecture regarding friluftsliv and then to the cabins at Breivoll Farm. The anticipation of travelling to a new place was in the air as we got ready for the adventure that awaited us. Our day started at 7:00 am when Esam's alarm went off. Esam immediately got out of bed, but I stayed in bed for a few more minutes, enjoying the hotel room's convenience. At 7:25 a.m., I began packing my possessions. The previous evening's floating sauna visit had been an amazing experience. We arrived late to the hotel, but we were clearly excited about it, and some of us had put in so much effort to make it happen. Others in our group stayed up late as they couldn't bring themselves to unwind because of the excitement. Some had already packed their bags. From our hotel room, we enjoyed the most beautiful view. The serene view outside our window provided the perfect setting for getting ready in the morning.
The view from our hotel room.
I went down to
the hotel lobby, where everyone was supposed to meet, after we had completed
packing. Most of us had checked out by now, so we were all congregated in the
lobby, chatting, and exchanging our thrilling experiences from the day before. We
were waiting for Trinity throughout this time since she had gone to the nearby
grocery store to make some last-minute purchases. By 9:00 am,
everyone had congregated in the lobby, with the exception of Trinity, all
packed and ready to go. It was a mix of expectancy and camaraderie as people
joked and told stories to each other. Prepare to move forward. We headed to the
DNT office as soon as we all got together.
Picture of the group heading to the DNT
office.
We could not wait to get to the cabins and unwind before maybe falling asleep. However, there was a big detour we had to take before reaching our destination: we had to go to a lecture hosted by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). Glenn Menkin, who oversees outdoor activities, was our lecturer for the day. Glenn gave us some really insightful information about the DNT and friluftsliv. He mentioned that the association has 105,000 members in Oslo and about 300,000 members nationwide. The DNT is renowned for its outdoor activities, but what really makes it unique from other recreation associations are the well-maintained trails and cabins, which are staffed mostly by volunteers. The routes are well-marked, so anyone keen on going on an adventure can do so with complete confidence. Glenn emphasized in his presentation that the foundation of their system is trust. Members are able to rent a key that opens each and every cabin, which is a testament to the extraordinary level of trust that exists within the community. We also learned that Norway has the second-longest coastline in the world, after Canada. Glenn drew attention to the enormous wall of maps of Norway, showcasing the magnitude and scope of the nation's natural landscapes. An annual membership in DNT costs about 800 Norwegian Krone (~$103 CAD), which is a reasonable price to pay. Glenn assisted the professors in figuring out how to buy tickets for the next leg of our journey to the farm. Manuel thanked Glenn by giving him a gift.
Picture of Manuel handing a gift to
Glenn.
Afterwards, we went downstairs to the DNT store where Holly announced that she was graduating today. This was a moment of personal significance. Natalya asked to have her sweater then ‘hooded’ Holly to celebrate her graduation. The gesture filled the day with warmth and companionship.
Pictures of Natalya ‘hooding’ Holly with
her sweater
Afterwards, we had our lunch as we were presented with an extensive selection of options in a food court. I chose to order a standard burger and fries from Roast Smash Burger along with an energy drink. Several people in our group were perplexed by the variety of options and wandered, unsure of what to get. The group conversations were lively and fascinating during the meal. The group enjoyed the casual atmosphere and each other's company while exchanging stories. After we finished our lunch, Glenn kindly came with us on the bus where the next part of our journey would begin—Breivoll Farm. There was a brief chance to rest during the twenty to thirty minutes the bus ride took. The group arrived at the Farm. Our cabins at Breivoll greeted us with magic as soon as we arrived. The cabins have a unique charm of their own even though they were very different from the hotel. The group felt both calm and excited right away because of the breathtaking natural surroundings. We each found our own space as we settled into our cabins and started unpacking our belongings. There was a sense of exploration and community among the company even as we settled in.
Picture of the inside of a cabin
Today was a significant transition
from the hotel to the cabins, with the cozy comforts of the hotel giving way to
the rustic beauty of the cabins. The day had been full of learning, enjoyment,
and anticipation of the things that remained to come. We knew that our journey
had only just begun even as we settled into Breivoll Farm. The beauty of nature
all around us promised more adventures, so we were ready to make the most of
every second.
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