{"id":3002,"date":"2011-08-29T21:25:19","date_gmt":"2011-08-30T02:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blackgate.net\/blog\/?p=3002"},"modified":"2014-09-06T21:44:11","modified_gmt":"2014-09-07T02:44:11","slug":"the-mugs-of-august-forsvarets-fjernundervisning-mug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackgate.net\/blog\/the-mugs-of-august-forsvarets-fjernundervisning-mug\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mugs of August \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Forsvarets Fjernundervisning mug"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Forsvarets<\/a><\/div>\n

I am going to post a photo of a coffee mug every day in August and talk a little bit about where we got it and why I like it.<\/p>\n

In April and May 2003, I went on a long business trip to Europe for SAIC and Joint Forces Command, on behalf of the Partnership For Peace. Susan went with me. We visited the Czech Republic<\/a>, Germany<\/a>, and Norway<\/a>. Norway was the last leg of our trip. We stayed in Oslo for nearly a week.<\/p>\n

Oslo is a very interesting city. It seemed to me that everything was made of stone, and that the streets were deserted. Part of that perception was caused by the fact that Susan and I would wander around late at “night”, when normal Norwegians had gone to bed. But it was broad daylight. Oslo was very clean, and even the prostitutes<\/a> seemed well dressed.<\/p>\n

It was very expensive, though. I seem to recall a Big Mac cost almost $10. We didn’t eat at McDonald’s — I was just curious about the prices. I did have whale steak while we were there. I didn’t care for it, actually, but I am glad I was able to try it. If you’ve ever had a really horrific bloody nose, with golfball sized clots in your throat… it tasted like that.<\/p>\n

I spent my days at Akershus Castle<\/a>, a 13th century fortress which now houses museums, and at the time also housed the Forsvarets Fjernundervisning<\/a> (which translates roughly as “Norwegian national defense distance education”). Like all of our hosts for that trip, our Norwegian military hosts were friendly, and proud of their city and their history. They gave Susan and me a private tour of the castle, and gave each of us one of these mugs as a parting gift.<\/p>\n

Fun fact: in Norway, they don’t dub movies. American movies have American soundtracks. They also learn other languages in school at a very young age. Our hosts generally spoke English while we were around. I only overheard them speaking Norwegian with each other a few times. It actually did sound a lot like the Swedish Chef<\/a>, believe it or not. But their English was superb, and the younger they were, the better it was. There was a contractor for IBM who I’d assumed was from California, based on his accent. Imagine my surprise when we took Susan and me out clubbing, and we found out that he was a local. His English was just that good. Not that I am criticizing anyone who speaks English with an accent. I have tremendous respect for anyone<\/em> that learns English. I think that’s amazing. But his English was flawless<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I am going to post a photo of a coffee mug every day in August and talk a little bit about where we got it and why I like it. 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