viva terra firma!

Norwegians are a sea-faring people. It's in their heritage and part of the national identity, along with Vikings, ski-jumping and an astounding number of people named Jorn.

So, I decided to make a boat trip part of my itinerary here. I like to vary my modes of transport when I travel, and it made sense to take a boat from Bergen to Stavanger. So, I boarded the ferry for the 4 hour trip.

To quote George Costanza: "The sea was angry that day--like an old man trying to send back soup at a deli".

I don't know how big the waves were; what I do know is that I practically was lifted out of my seat a couple of times. Up and down, up and down with unnatural gusto. Various internal organs went on field trips in my chest cavity: My stomach was doing backflips under my lungs. My kidneys, I felt sure, were rattling around my rib cage like bingo balls. Spleen and Pancreas had a glorious tryst just south of my esphogus.

I arrived intact in Stavanger, and I'm sure my sea grudge will pass. But I have a new respect for land. There's a reason they call it terra firma.