My 'Maa' in Norway....... Et Norsk Hjem - 2

Forewarning :SHE is the closest I came to, in understanding the norwegian culture, their sense of decor and style and the spirit of life. This is a word and picture intensive post.

I am so glad writing this post for home Shanthi home today .  I have been contemplating this since I entered the blog world. Finally today I crossed the Granddad's street (Bestefars vei )and went down the Grandmom's street (Bestemors vei) to meet my Maa in Norway – May  (84yrs) and Harald (93yrs).

When you straight land from India into a land where everything is so different  - the culture, the language and the weather (I landed in the end of December ),  and where TV channels only relayed Norwegian programs, with not a single Indian vegetable in sight in the shops,  trying to understand the Norwegian names for Aata, Suji etc ,  I cannot tell you how special it was to chance upon meeting May . She is so special and just radiated warmth.  For me she is my Maa in this land and was always there to help me with any information / help I needed - as recently as this Sunday she helped me planning  a trip to Egypt :-).

 When Harald had a cerebral stroke in 2004 they moved in together into this small home and I wondered how would she fit in all her priceless possessions.  It is amazing how she made this tiny little small house into a beautiful home with few collections of personal art she took with her, leaving so many of them behind to her children.

Paintings on the wall show the town her husband grew up and cute pics of her great grand children.

Her’s was an open house to guests and specially to foreigners . We were always greeted to warm cups of tea and freshly baked cookies and it is still fresh in my mind how I enjoyed watching her lovely home with things from all her travels. 

She is one of the pioneers who started the Ås international women’s group which just celebrated 25 years and she has been given many awards recognizing her contribution to the community and to the women in particular.

I have always seen her well dressed, lady like and fashionable with special liking for chunky Amber and silver Jewelry.  She and Harald visited India to attend my daughter’s half saree ceremony in 2002.  She takes Harald in his wheel chair around the world. They travel to Spain, Denmark, around Norway  and many other places round the year. While in Norway she attends concerts, café’s , wine drinking sessions  with Harald and plays bridge with her girl friends once a week.

Bed room with paintings, self potraits of her daughters and photographs of children , grand children and great grand children.

 Organised to the core ... Her books and Albums..... and mind you she did not know that I was going to take the pictures....

  The silver and brass thalis used as trays 

An antique french clock and candle set she inherited which her Grand parents got as a wedding gift

 Though she followed her husband  to Egypt for 3 years in 1964 ,posted in the UN,  its her friends and love for the country and its culture that took her back every year since then till date. Many people in Ås and Norway saw Egypt in its entirity due to May. She is also the international member representing Norway in Alexandria. 

Some old woven textiles dating back to 300 A.D from Egypt

Hand woven tapestry from Egypt - speciality of this she says is that no picture is drawn first and is conceived in the mind and progresses henceforth.

Coaster made from an old wedding gown of a bride in Egypt

 and cermaics d art resembling the old greek leather documents lie on her table along with her magnifying glass and other knick knacks. 

 

I salute her for her sunny optimism and the spirit with which she loves and lives the life to its fullest.

Pics source:taken by me at May's place this sunday