Árdís - 01.01.1950, Page 21

A Letter From Norway
The Lutheran Women’s League,
In Convention at Lundar, Manitoba, September, 1950.
Dear Friends:
Little did I think, when I was with you a year ago, travelling
on the S. S. Keenora from Selkirk to Hekla in order to attend our
annual convention there, that in so short a time I would be travel-
ling on the ocean liner, Empress of Canada, spending seven days
on the Atlantic ocean, then seven days in London and two days on
the North Sea on my way to Olso, Norway. It is still so surprising,
almost unbelievable, to me.
I have been in Oslo now for four months and nine days and
have learned to like it very much. The climate is very moderate,
never extremely hot nor extremely cold, and it is so calm. In
spring and summer Oslo is a very pretty city with its large trees,
blooming bushes and variety of flowers, with its picturesque fjords
and mountain scenery. It is also a very interesting city, but so far
I have not had opportunity to see all the spots of historic and
cultural interest, but hope to do so during my three and one-half
years of service here.
The Norwegian people are very friendly and congenial. We
Canadian girls are, however, disappointed in one respect, namely
that the Norwegians are so anxious to practise talking English that
we do not get a chance to speak Norwegian! We are learning to
read and understand it, though, just for the sake of interest, not
that we have to learn it.
I am very comfortable here in a nice apartment with other
Canadian girls. I like my work and find it very interesting. I am in
good health. All these are things I am most thankful for.
It is tragic hearing of the extremities in which the people of
Manitoba, especially Winnipeg, find themselves through the terrible
flood conditions. It is a matter of concern even here in Oslo, where
the newspapers have carried pictures and articles about the floods,
We also get airmail bulletins in the office from Ottawa, which
have kept us up-to-date on the flood news. The latest records
state that the flood is starting to recede, even if slowly, and I hope