Norway: The Trip I Promised Myself

It's funny where life takes you. My first trip to Disney was with my Noni, who was battling cancer at the time. Years later, when my mom and I returned, she booked us breakfast at Akershus in EPCOT's Norway Pavilion. I still have a photo with Hans from that trip, and it still makes me laugh. Who would have thought I'd eventually work at Walt Disney World, make some of my closest friends from Norway, and actually visit the country? Maybe I was always meant to end up there!

A year ago, I said goodbye to one of my best friends after working together at Disney for a year. We met on orientation day, and when it was time to leave Florida, I promised I'd save up and visit her in Norway. Between hearing my friends talk about home and visiting them at the Frozen ride in EPCOT, I got pretty curious about the country they kept saying I'd love.

Exactly What I Needed After a Busy Summer

Norway came at exactly the right time. I'd just finished three months working on my first television production, including 41 days of filming. I loved the experience, but after months of early mornings, long days, and constantly thinking about where I needed to be next, I was more than ready to get on a plane.

Seeing my friends again was easily one of the best parts. It felt like no time had passed, and we had a year's worth of stories to catch up on. We laughed about Orlando, seeing Zara Larsson at Disney Springs, and trips we'd taken together, like Miami. It was also fun seeing how close my Norwegian Disney friends had stayed since returning home.

Falling in Love With Norway

One thing that made me laugh was how often people assumed I was Norwegian. They'd start speaking to me in Norwegian, and I'd have absolutely no idea what they were saying. Of course, the Lonely Planet guidebook I'd ordered didn't arrive until I got home. Great timing! I was really grateful my friends spoke English with me, especially since one mentioned she hadn't used it much since leaving Disney a year ago and was getting rusty. So naturally, I've decided it's my job to keep visiting Norway so she can practice. Not a bad excuse to go back! I've also downloaded Duolingo, so hopefully next time I'll know more than just "tusen takk" (thank you).

I loved so many little things about Norway. Everything felt clean, the tap water was great, and everyone seemed so active. Even the dogs looked incredibly happy, which made me think about how much Moose would love it there. Naturally, I came home with a Norwegian harness for him.

I also loved the fashion. Everyone looked so put together without trying too hard, and I found myself people-watching just to see what everyone was wearing. We went thrifting, and I loved how popular secondhand shopping was. People would even put racks of clothing outside their homes to sell, sometimes with friends joining in. I'd never really seen anything like that growing up in Canada.

This was also my first time travelling since working on a television set, and I noticed I was looking at things differently. I'd see billboards for Norwegian movies and start wondering about the productions behind them. Even while walking around Oslo, I'd catch myself coming up with documentary ideas about the people and places I saw. Apparently, three months on set will do that to you!

Some of my favourite moments were just walking around Oslo, sitting by the water, shopping, making jewellery, and exploring on my own. I visited the Munch Museum, where I finally saw The Scream, something I'd learned about in art history. I loved seeing the three versions and how the display changed every 30 minutes.

Another funny moment happened when I threw something into a garbage can, and it suddenly said, "Yummy yummy in my tummy!" I genuinely thought I was hearing things. I definitely didn't expect to encounter a talking garbage can in Norway.

Food was another highlight. I discovered my love for Pepsi Max and Norwegian waffles, which surprised me because I don't normally care much for waffles. I also tried brown cheese and chicken salsa because I figured I might as well try whatever my friends recommended. Even McDonald's was an experience because they had a Daim McFlurry, which I obviously had to try. Canada seriously needs to get on that one.

I also came home eating cucumber with everything: breakfast, wraps, and even tacos. I don't know how Norway changed my relationship with cucumbers, but apparently that's my life now.

One of my favourite spots was Los Tacos, where we went to eat and catch up. I liked visiting places my friends actually go rather than just doing tourist activities. I also loved the slower Sunday mornings, sitting down for breakfast and spending time together without having something planned every minute.

A Few Days in the South of France

As if Norway wasn't enough, I also ended up third-wheeling my friend and her boyfriend in Nice for a few days. I'd been so focused on planning Norway that I somehow forgot to pack a swimsuit for the South of France. Not my best planning, considering I'd been looking forward to spending a day at a beach club. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't exactly beach weather anyway, so I guess it worked out!

I loved getting dressed up and going out for nice dinners. Third-wheeling a couple who love a good restaurant definitely sets the standards for future trips! I had two food goals: have escargot and frog legs again. Luckily, my friend's boyfriend took us to a restaurant called Le Frog, where I managed to cross both off my list. We also had plenty of cheese, pastries, and freshly squeezed orange juice from the market.

One of my favourite random memories was sitting by the beach watching planes fly incredibly close overhead. I started tracking which flights were coming next and waiting for them to pass over us. I don't know why I found it so entertaining, but I could have sat there for hours. The Ironman race was also happening in Nice, so the city was buzzing.

This was my first time travelling around Europe with Europeans, which was interesting in itself. I loved hearing their perspectives on different places and seeing how they approached travelling. We even ran into someone from Norway in Nice who also thought I was Norwegian! At that point, I was starting to think I should just go along with it.

We took a day trip to Monte Carlo, somewhere I'd wanted to visit for a long time. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling my best for part of France, so I ended up making a few pharmacy runs. On the bright side, it gave me an excuse to slow down, journal, enjoy the food, and sit in the sun whenever it decided to come out.

After France, I headed back to Oslo while my friend and her boyfriend continued their holiday. I spent my last few days visiting museums, catching up with friends, making some new ones, shopping, and enjoying having no real schedule.

I also found myself chatting with people everywhere I went. One of my favourite things was guessing whether someone was Canadian or American before asking, and I was surprisingly good at it! On one train ride, I overheard a group talking about backpacking around Europe, which immediately made me want to plan another solo adventure. I wasn't even home yet, and I was already thinking about my next trip.

Until Next Time, Norway

Of course, getting home couldn't be completely smooth. I missed a connection in Brussels, but the airport staff were incredibly kind and rebooked me for free. While I waited, I overheard another Canadian complaining, saying, "We would never treat Canadians like this!" I couldn't help but laugh. I was just grateful the staff was helping me get home. Getting upset wouldn't make the next flight arrive any faster.

The delay gave me the chance to chat with a few people at the airport. I even ended up having a Google Meet with one of them after getting home! I enjoyed the lounge while I waited and eventually made it back to Toronto, only to discover that my new carry-on, which I'd checked because I'd done a little too much shopping, hadn't made it home with me. Thankfully, it showed up less than 24 hours later.

There's still so much of Norway I want to see. I'd love to explore the north and visit one of those Scandinavian lake spas. I also left wondering what it would be like to live there. Norway reminded me of Canada in a lot of ways, but I really liked the lifestyle and slower pace. If I ever had the chance to work there for a little while, I think I'd take it.

Looking back, it's pretty wild how much has changed in a year. Around this time last year, I was finishing my Disney College Program, saying goodbye to friends, and wondering what I'd be doing next. Since then, I've worked on my first television production, entered my final year of university, and finally made it to Norway. Now I'm less than a year away from graduating and entering the working world. Where did that time go?

I'm glad I followed through on the promise I made to myself instead of putting it off. I went to Norway to see my friends. I came home with a Norwegian harness for Moose, a Pepsi Max obsession, higher expectations for McDonald's McFlurrys, and enough motivation to start learning Norwegian.

I never would have guessed that working at Disney would lead me to Norway, but I'm glad it did. I already have a list of things I want to do when I go back.

Until next time, Norway!