Have you ever heard about the series Lilyhammer? It's about this certain guy from New York who is relocated to Lillehammer, Norway and fell in love with the town. I think, I also have the same experience as he has. Well, I did not watch the whole series but a friend narrate most of the important scenes in the series. So, let me share with you why living in Lillehammer is special.
Lillehammer is a town and municipality in Oppland county, Norway.
It's two hours away from Oslo, the capital city of Norway. Either you'll go by car or train and there's also a bus connection from Oslo airport to the town. The region has a special place in the hearts of many winter sports fans. Since the 1994 Winter Olympic Games has been played here and the Youth Olympic Games in 2016. I was lucky enough to experience the 2016 Winter Olympics and see for myself. Yeeeeyyy! (I think, that's one of the highlights of my stay)
There are two famous ski resorts in Lillehammer. A few minutes away from the centrum. The Hafjell is famous for downhill skiing and SjujΓΈen is for cross country skiing. As they said Norwegians are born with skis on their feet. It's just a lot of activities to do during the wintertime and tourism is booming as most skiers come to visit this place.
Living in Lillehammer for two years is another life experience. People described Norwegians as cold but warm at heart. They are very friendly and easy to talk with. They speak English fluently.
Maybe you'll ask? If I learned how to ski? Yes, I had my first cross country skiing in Lillehammer together with my host family and my first snow sledge trip. It was not that awesome but it was cool. Got some videos saved which until now I can't stop laughing every time I watched them. π
I'll show you some of the great pictures I've captured during my stay in Lillehammer and why I call it the Winterwonderland of Norway.
The train, bus, taxi stations at night as it's filled with snow everywhere. Maybe you'll ask. Why does this train station look like a hotel or something? It's a hotel. Yes, it is! It's called Lillehammer Stasjonen Hotel. Where you can stay for your winter holiday.
This beautiful restaurant looks like an old renaissance mansion and it's really beautiful during the autumn season. Like the leaves, that's covers the walls turn orange, yellow and red.
Lillehammer is a diverse town with different people, cultures coming together to study such as in the film industry. I met a lot of them as they were my classmate at the language school. There's also a small Filipino group here that I get to know back then and still get connected with until now. We met mostly in the Catholic Church during Sunday masses shared with Filipinos and the Polish community. Most of the Filipinos who live here are married to Norwegian, mostly health care staff like nurses, caregivers and hotel workers.
I did study some language courses way back then. So, I'll be able to speak Norsk (Norwegian) until now. I think that's the beauty of living in different places. You discovered the culture, love it and learn from it.
This bridge is called Vingnesbrua. A bridge that connects the other side of Lillehammer to the town itself. I mostly walked every weekend from our house because I'm not good at catching up on buses. We only have one bus every hour and since it's snowing. The bus could be late or it arrives earlier. So, I ended up walking most of the time. Which I also love. Even though it's negative Celcius degrees sometimes.
The overview pictures of Lillehammer.
The powdery snow that covers the town.
I lived on the other opposite side of the town called Vignes, We only have a few neighbours around the area but they were the warmest kind people I've ever met during my European stayed. One of the reasons why I'm fell in love with the country itself. It's not just because of the abundance and beauty of nature every season. But, the hospitality of everyone that surrounds me. That I always felt at HOME.
A beautiful winter sunset picture from our living room. Showcasing the beautiful town on the other side and the famous Olympic ski jump.
Winter sunlight β¨
This view never gets old. This is my room window view. Every day for two years.
One of my host kids' rooms faces the town β
Our kitchen views have the same view as my bedroom windows.
And yes, we grow flowers and herbs indoors π₯΄
These are some pictures from my walk during sunset in the neighbourhood. Like a painting right?!β¨
Did you know that Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe aside from Switzerland? Yes, it's freaking expensive. They pay higher taxes but their government system is quite good. Aside from being expensive π it's one of the best countries I have lived in so far. No bias, as I mentioned in the first few paragraphs of this blog. That this country feels like HOME to me. Even though my Swedish in-laws know about it. I'm just so happy that when I was sharing Lillehammer with them. They decided to visit the place and took some pictures of where exactly I had my pictures back then, my walking area, the place I had my food and more. Until now, I'm still wishing to be back.
To my host mom who never gets tired of sending me our bike routes, the wildflowers I usually picked up during summertime and my not so little bananas that I left behind. (My host kids) it's been like years. But the memories, connections and relationships remain. That I'm forever grateful for. The gift of family around the world.
Who'll never get tired of this sunset view in the wintertime?
Why there are so many glass Windows? Since it's almost winter half of the year and it's slowly getting darker early during the day. The glass windows help to have some light around the house. (But, it's not good in the summertime as it's getting a lot of light and it's hard to fall asleep)
Our neighbour who's from Mindanao whom I met during my walk wrote this one. And it's awesome! π€©
These beautiful colours 𧑠I missed this everyday π
I'm already a cat lover back then. This is my friend's host Family's cat Petra. And she's a black adorable cat.
Every season is beautiful but I will always love the wintertime. Aside from the pink, purple, beautiful hues from the sky and powdery snow everywhere. The aurora borealis. The northern lights. Lillehammer is not a place to watch this phenomenon but there's a time in wintertime that it appears. And it's very seldom. But, girl! I was lucky enough to see and experience it.
Impressive isn't right? The night that I will always remember π€
So happy that I was able to live in Norway and experience the amazing winter wonderland moment with friends.
This town will always be my favourite and I can't wait to be back one day.ποΈ