Norway, a Nordic country. A country known for its fjords, midnight sun and northern lights. I arrived in a town that was known for its shipping and still had a few big ones based there.
That being said, when people asked where I was from, the normal reply is oh! My son is working there, or they themselves have been there for either work or pleasure. With that familiarity comes the price I did not have to pay: I was not seen as a mail order bride. My story is not seen as someone else from a poor country.
The other thing that was to my advantage was my age and me looking way younger. There are people assuming I was adopted by a local, especially when I was walking with my mother-in-law. Even if my language was not fluent, I was one of them since I was an adoptee. I found it amusing actually.
What I truly struggled most with was the food. I missed Asian food and I truly had to learn how to cook it. Those days the internet was not as wide as it is now and you can find the information you need. There was a Vietnamese store that carried Asian groceries, so I was able to find some of the ingredients I needed. Because of that, I have developed my cooking and baking skills. Something that money cannot buy.
The language I picked up easily. Sure, I was not able to communicate, but I was a fast learner and had no problem with the pronunciation as it closely resembles that of my mother tongue. It did not take long for me to master the language, and I also picked up the local dialect and I am proud of it and do not plan to switch it ever.
All in all I had a good experience with the country. I like the slow pace of life, people saying hello to each other and the other small things that only a local would know or remember. Being here as long as I have, I see myself as a part of society and I know more about this country than I do my motherland. Ja, vi elsker dette landet.
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