It’s time to bid farewell to Elisabeth. She has allowed us to do our laundry, fed us too well, and given us snacks for our long train ride today.
Our discussions were deep and interesting. Topics centered around my faith and her non-belief. Her passion is relationships and self improvement. We both leave each other with food for thought.Suit Up!! Five things: rolling suitcase, backpack, front pack, fanny pack, and hat … good to go
Elisabeth dropped us at the station at 10:30am, and we waited along with others on the posted track #2 for our 11:00 train. There was an announcement in Swedish and everyone started to leave the platform. An English-speaking Swede told us that our train would now be on Track #3. So it’s down the elevator and then up the elevator with a group of wannabe passengers to Track #3.
There is a football (soccer) tournament this week called the Gothia Cup so we see lots of teams. Here is one waiting for the train on Track 3.
The Gothia Cup is the world’s largest international youth football (soccer) tournament, held for one week annually in Gothenburg, Sweden. It attracts around 1,700 teams from 80 different nations, with over 4,500 matches played on 110 pitches.
The train came from Gothenburg so we thought that it would return to Gothenburg, but it went the opposite way. We got off at the next stop with many others. Some of the teams hustled toward the bus, but we weren’t quick enough as we were still figuring out our options.
We were at risk of missing our 12:15pm train to Oslo, and Gothenburg is 30 minutes away. Rob started to inquire about an Uber, but it WAS VERY costly. Rob suggested that I call Elisabeth. She dropped everything to rescue us.
I sent her the name of the bus stop.The cavalry is arriving. Her car is the second black one. What a welcome sight!This was a big move for Elisabeth as she does not like to drive in the city. Her GPS was not helpful, and we didn’t have time to sort it out so Rob directed her from the backseat. Elisabeth would often tell me to stop talking since she needed to concentrate!!
Elisabeth pulled up to a bus lane which is illegal and let us out. We knew our platform number and arrived in good time thanks to my dear friend. She said that she would need a drink!!
Phew! Rob needed Cheetos!!On the train ride, we passed a Swedish city named Ed. This is the name of Rob’s brother. Maybe Ed will go to Ed someday!!
We had planned to go to Moss but needed to go all the way to Oslo and then catch another train to Moss. The ticket taker said that this train stopped in Moss!! A windfall.
The train was crowded so I shared a seat with Norwegian Sofia. I asked her what is the biggest problem facing Norway today: mental health. Nearly one in five Norwegians experience a mental health disorder each year.
Moss
Moss has always been an industry town although most of the manufacturers are gone today. There are running rivers for flour mills and paper mills. Shipbuilding and fisheries used to exist here.Grinding grain by hand. I can see why they found faster options with a waterwheel.Moss is the location of the world’s largest ceramic jar. It is almost 17 feet tall, made of 10 tons of clay.
I am not a stranger to witnessing the largest, biggest, etc. It’s in my DNA. My childhood hometown of Garden City, KS, boasts many curiosities such as the largest, free municipal swimming pool. But there are others. Keep reading!
The world’s largest hairball, removed from a cow’s stomach, measured 37 inches in circumference and weighed 55 pounds wet. This trichobezoar is currently on display at the Finney County Historical Museum in Garden City, KS. It was found in a cow that was processed at a local packing house.
Not to be outdone, Moss has some strange offerings to observe. We walked to the Galleria F 15 contemporary art museum. Art is supposed to speak to you. I just don’t what it is trying to say!!This “artist” is capturing the sound of flying insects with micro-microphones in the jungles of Brazil.This “artist” has positioned many books in the wind.This outdoor installation is gathering radiation sounds. The static sound comes from the hot sun and is captured with each of these golden domes. An interesting walk.I like the shade better. It is 93⁰F today.Someone is looking over your shoulder!!Could this be a Moss Moose?Our apartment in Moss has a trampoline, and our host suggested that we use it!
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