Maybe they weren't loved enough....

As in most cases when I come to a country, I try to get a sense of the history. Norway has quite a history, full of unusual people.

First, there were the Vikings. The vikings, as is well documented by historians, were badasses. They build the strongest sea-faring boats then on record; ships capable of oceancrossing where once it was impossible. Around the 9th century, they were also big on polygamy, and so there were lots and lots of babies. These babies (the male ones at least) grew up and wanted a share of the families lands. This, of course, led to family squabbles, clubbings and pent-up aggression. So many of the Vikings decided to take those sturdy boats aplunderin'.

And the were successful in said plundering. Independent from each other, these Viking hordes conquered areas as far south as Spain and as far east as Russia. The only town that they couldn't really capture was Istanbul. They were ruthless, too... specifically targeting monasteries and monks because of their riches and the perceived threat to their panthestic traditions.

Attached are some pics from my visit to the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo... amazingly restored burial boats , intricately carved and constructed, for a queens and chieftains (each is over 1000 years old). Yep, they buried them in boats-- along with their accumluated riches and several animals and slaves the would need in the afterlife. I imagine the slaves was not fond of the idea of death by association.