I want want want

I killed my last pair of sweet hemp walking shoes from Simple while in Norway. I got caught in the rain one day and my shoes got soaked. After letting them dry out, I noticed mold on the inside of the shoe. I put them in the wash, on low spin and cold water and they shrank! The nerve. And I just got them this Spring and was planning that they'd last at least a year. So I pretty much spent the rest of my Norway trip looking like an American tourist in running sneakers and jeans. Very dorky.

I'm now on the hunt for new shoes even though I am on a budget, though you wouldn't believe it based on the wish list below. Did I mention that Norway is the most expensive place in the world and I spent all of my savings there? Think budget budget budget in the middle of the want want want chant.


Frye Alex Camp $138 on sale for $62, the sale price doesn't apply to me since it's not in my size. Damn! I've been wanting this one for at least half a year. Need to try on though and I can't find it in a store.


Camper TWS $170 down from $109. I know, heels don't constitute walking shoes but I lust for these. Also I can't even walk in heels. I tried these babies on and I definitely can't make it down the street in them.


Camper TWS $119 down from $140. These are nice and cute, wonder about comfort. They don't have these at the store. Only way to try on is to order them.


Camper Peu $79 down from $85. Affordable but I think I need to be able to waterproof them. (I apply gore-tex stuff to all my shoes to waterproof them, except of course, the last pair of Simples I mentioned above.)


Camper Peu $145 down from $160. I love the look of Peus on other people but they might just be a bit too flat for me. Love the grey. Not sold on the comfort level of these which I have tried on.

Air Elly Criss Cross $139 down from $198. My friend Crystal has these and they are so cute in person. Not a walking shoe though.

Air Astrid Ballet $148. I love ballet flats but they are always too flat. So I'm wondering if the Nike technology can really make these feel like your foot actually has support. They did not have these at the store.

The Jane $279 down from GASP! $375 (still expensive) Anyone have a Cole Haan connection for a discount? I wish I could afford The Jane.


Camper Slipper Pigskin Flat £54.03, only available in the UK (& Europe) but I cannot find it here. They are affordable and comfortable looking. Why did I not see these at the Camper store in London??? Anyone want to bring me a pair of these from the UK?

Knowing that I have super picky feet, I need to try these on in person. Plus Camper doesn't make half sizes and I am a half size so trying Campers on is a must for me. I went to the Woodbury outlet and hit Cole Haan and every other place I could think of that might have good shoes and it's a no go. I really need a fairy to bring me some shoes from London. Why is this so difficult?

(all images from Frye, Camper and Cole Haan)

Collecting Memories

I'm not a big souvenir person. In the past I've always bought clothing in Hong Kong, picked up eyeglasses in Asia (it's significantly cheaper than the US), or brought back some kind of food item that is allowed through customs like coffee. This time, I wanted to bring back a Cathrineholm pot, pan, or bowl (made in Norway) or a small enamel lamp shade from Norway. Although I managed to spot some Cathrineholm pots all were pricier than the US and in poor shape. So this time I'm walking away empty handed but with lots of memories of my extended stay in Norway.

Sverresborg

I am beginning to realize that I enjoy open air museums. Last summer's visit to Hancock Shaker Village in the Berkshires was so lovely that my Mom and I vowed to stay at one for a future vacation. (There are some old Shaker homes that have been turned into hotels.) The Old Bergen Museum was great but I thought the tour was way too short. I wanted to go into every building and peek into all the nooks and crannies. In Trondheim, there is a collection of mostly 18-19th century buildings that comprise the Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum. We took a short tour of four of the buildings, bumped into the bride and groom of a (real) traditional Norwegian wedding, ate some freshly baked flat bread, and lingered in the shade of a sod covered roof house. Now I'm thinking I should plan a trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Has anyone ever been?

Munkholmen

Morgan, Ross, and I went for a a little picnic outing to the island of Munkholmen, just a short ferry ride from Trondheim. Through its thousand year history, it has been execution grounds, a monastery, occupied by the Danes, the Germans and held some famous prisoners. We took a tour of the main building which contained the prison and dungeon. I managed to hit my head really hard going into the dungeon, and then fell against the stairs and hit my back, bruising myself. So either I'm really clumsy or the place is haunted. There was a German gun machine that we climbed into and tinkered with. It's a great place for picnicking and hanging out in the sun.

Nidaros Cathedral

We're now back home in New York so I'm going to try and wrap up the Norway posts, and share some London pics with you. It's sweltering hot and a shock to my system but I am happy to be home and to return to a sense of normalcy and routine.





Ross and I visited Nidaros Cathedral and climbed the narrow tower for a 360 degree view of Trondheim.




And we were lucky enough to be around for one of the house moves for the tunnel construction. It was completely fascinating.

Fløyen Mountain

We took the Fløibanen Funicular up to Fløyen Mountain for a wonderful view of Bergen. And instead of taking the funicular back down, we walked down on a wide path on the front side of the mountain. It was a really nice way to enjoy the mountain and surrounding neighborhoods. It took only 45 minutes to get back to city center. There are also a bunch of hiking trails on the top of the mountain if you find yourself in Bergen with a bit more time.