it's the day.....

Today is the day that all us folks living in Norway look forward to all the long winter. (And spring and sometimes, fall as well.)

It's that perfect summer day. Temps range in the mid to lower 80's. Clear sky. The pollen storm we've been under for the past few weeks has finally ended. (Everything is coated in yellow pollen dust. I am SO glad I don't have allergies, it's got to be miserable with THAT much pollen around.) No clouds, no haze, green trees and flowers blooming everywhere.

The plaza beneath us is buzzing as an African band plays drums and xylophones ("more cowbell!") and food sizzles and arts and crafts sellers sit in the sun behind their tables (why am I not selling any jewelry down there today, I ask myself?) and kids frolic naked in the fountains, chased by their not-much-more-clothed parents.

When it's 80 degrees outside, all of Norway comes out to play. All in their best linens and sundresses and shorts and summer clothes that they all better wear NOW because God knows how long we will get to wear them....though the weather seems to say it's a high pressure zone over us right now that might last over a week.

A whole week. It's like summer holiday but I don't have to face the lines at the airport!