I've been waiting for 3 years to come back to Bergen, and it was even better than I remembered. It rained all weekend back in 2010, so the sunny weather this time made everything look even more beautiful.

What began in 2010 as a chance meeting between the Alley Cats and the Sirenene (the Sirens) became a long-standing tradition between the two groups and the Sirens' brother group, Arme Riddere. (Apparently, their name translates as both "The Poor Knights" and "French Toast.") Both groups are affiliated with the University of Bergen. It's been a blast getting to know them. They are some of the nicest, most generous, and most genuine people I have ever met. The first night, we had a great barbecue at the student center, where we all traded songs late into the night.

On the second day, McKay and I slept in, and our wonderful host, Esther, took us to see the top of Mount Fløyen, and we took the awesome Fløibanen funicular to the top. Here's the view inside a rock tunnel up the mountain:

And a fantastic view of Bergen and the surrounding seven mountains.

Here's Esther exploring the Norwegian wood.

The concert was that evening, and the Sirens and Arme Riddere put on a great show for us before we sang our set. Here are some of their hits:

http://m.youtube.com/user/StudinekoretSirenene

http://youtu.be/ncrf-o8uDVE

After the concert, all three groups danced and partied all over Bergen. Esther, McKay and I didn't get home until 5am!

Naturally, after that, McKay and I missed our alarms and had to sprint to the train station to catch a group excursion to the fjords, but arrived less than 90 seconds too late for the very punctual train! But what would tour be without a few sprints to the train station? So instead we went back and McKay explored the city while I slept.

Then we went to visit Troldhaugen, Edward Grieg's gorgeous summer estate in Bergen.

Troldhaugen means "troll knoll"--Grieg lightheartedly called himself the troll of the knoll since he stood exactly 5ft high in a country of very tall Norwegians! He even had a special Steinway with shorter legs and bench made for him and his wife. Thanks to loving the Peer Gynt Suite and having read the play Peer Gynt (and having written a long paper about it), I could see why Norwegians love Grieg so much. The best part was seeing the place from the piano duet Rachel and I once played--"Wedding day at Troldhaugen!" Grieg came here to compose in a little red hut next to his house.

Maybe I'll come back some day to do the same.

After getting back from Troldhaugen, I went to Mass in Polish (that's right, Polish in Norway).

I had no clue what was going on except for a strong sense that it takes nearly twice as many syllables and therefore twice as long to say any prayer in Polish than in English.

I walked home just in time for a delicious dinner of pasta salad cooked by Esther, then it was off to London in the morning!