Bergen, Norway: Rain, Ramps, and Rumors of Trolls

okay, so. bergen. wow. i’m still shivering a little, even though i’m wrapped in like, three blankets. i just checked and it’s drizzling sideways, a proper Norwegian hug of dampness. hope you like that kind of thing. i’m a touring drummer, you know? used to playing sweaty clubs, not dodging puddles the size of small cars. but honestly? it’s kinda…charming.

I was here for a gig - a weird, one-off thing with a local band playing some kind of experimental fjord-folk. the venue was…interesting. let’s just say the acoustics weren’t exactly optimized for a snare drum. but the people were great, really welcoming. and the food! oh man, the seafood. i’m pretty sure i ate my weight in salmon.

I spent most of my free time just wandering around Bryggen, the old wharf. those colorful wooden buildings are seriously something else. like a postcard come to life. i took a ton of photos, naturally. you know, gotta keep the Instagram feed looking lively. I’m trying to get into street photography, so I’ve been practicing capturing the light and the textures. It’s harder than it looks when everything is perpetually damp. Check out some tips on photography gear here: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-cameras-for-beginners

“Don’t go near the Fløibanen funicular after dark,” a very drunk guy told me at a pub. “The trolls get restless. They like to mess with tourists.”

I’m not usually one for folklore, but the atmosphere here is…thick with it. Like you can almost feel the history pressing down on you. I did take the funicular up Mount Fløyen, though. The view was incredible, even through the mist. Definitely worth braving the potential troll encounters. You can find more info on the funicular here: https://www.bergen-guide.com/floyfunicular/

Someone told me that the fish market is a total tourist trap, but I still went. It was crowded, but the smells were amazing. I ended up buying some smoked cod - seriously, the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I also overheard a local complaining about the price of parking. Apparently, it’s outrageous. I can see why - those hills are steep!

If you get bored, Stavanger and Trondheim are just a short drive away. I wish I’d had more time to explore. I’m already planning a return trip. I need to find some decent coffee too. I’m a drummer, not a masochist. I need caffeine. I’m looking for a place that roasts their own beans. Yelp has some suggestions: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=coffee&find_loc=Bergen%2C+Norway

I also stumbled upon this amazing little vintage shop near the harbor. Seriously, a drummer’s dream. Lots of cool leather jackets and old band tees. I picked up a vintage Norwegian wool sweater - perfect for battling the elements. If you’re into that sort of thing, check out some local vintage shops on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g190493-d11788873-Reviews-Second_Hand_Bergen-Bergen_Hordaland_Western_Norway.html

Okay, gotta go. My tea is getting cold. Bergen, you were…an experience. A damp, troll-filled, seafood-fueled experience. I’ll be back.

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