Written by Ashlyn Jore, Alexandra Berns, Lizzy Quist, and Hallie McCann
History
In class on Friday we were warned that most businesses would be closed on Sundays and that we should plan accordingly. Despite being informed of this we still weren’t prepared for the empty streets and quiet city. Closed signs hung on store windows and buses ran with limited routes. This observation led us to wonder why so many businesses choose to close on Sundays and where all the people go. After research, we discovered this wasn’t a choice but rather mandated by the government. Sunday closure laws guarantee that workers have a healthy balance of work and rest in their lives. There is a Norwegian term for the Serene atmosphere on Sundays: Søndagsro, which means that Sundays are meant to be quiet. This is rooted in Norway’s deep religious background and socio-political values regarding labor laws and a community-focused mindset. So where does everyone go? This day is designated to spend time in nature, detach from technology, and spend quality time with family and friends. You are likely to find the majority of Norwegians out in nature, exercising their right to roam.
Sunday Hike
With many stores and businesses being closed, we chose to spend our time in the outdoors for our free time on Sunday. We took a 15-minute bus ride to a nearby lake for a short hike. Unbeknownst to us, it ended up being over 6.5 miles of surrounding trails…when we were expecting only 2.5 miles. Luckily, we allocated enough time to complete the walk and make it back in time for our small group dinners. As we were walking, we encountered numerous locals out and about on either a hike or a long run. Based on their running speed, it became abundantly clear to us that this type of outing was a regular occurrence for Norwegians. While we were doing our best not to fall on the icy trails, the locals were lapping us and sprinting by with ease. We successfully evaded any head-on collisions, but our shoulders definitely were grazed by those passing us on a few occasions.
Our small group appreciated being able to spend our afternoon in the outdoors, surrounded by various sights, sounds, and conversations. Coming from Minnesota, where the land is gray and dull in the wintertime, we were pleasantly surprised to find vibrant, green moss and grass directly next to trees coated in white crystals and snow. We also loved seeing various animals, including ducks, swans, birds, and deer throughout our walk. We enjoyed the break from the city life in Stavanger, and we were instead immersed in the local neighborhoods where families were out sledding. These contrasts created a beautiful landscape that contributed to our overall experience on this serene Sunday.
