Hello from Aurland!
Well, if this isn’t the most beautiful corner of the world I’ve ever seen…
After an early morning farewell to our Solvguttene homestays, we trained our way to Myrdal. Four and half hours of breathtaking scenery. Train change in Myrdal, and a very serious descent down the Flam Railway. Thrilling. Oh, and a very bizarre, surreal stop at a gorgeous waterfall. Ask your boys about the Norwegian mystic dancing in the midst. A tour moment that will not soon be forgotten.
When we reached Flam, we did a mini-concert in exchange for ice cream. Really. Well worth it and an even exchange based on the Norwegian kroner. The boys are getting a crash course in fiscal restraint. You cannot believe how expensive this country is. To give you and idea, a candy bar is five dollars.
From Flam, we took a ferry to Aurland, where we were enchanted by seagulls that flew so close to our boat that we could literally touch them. They were as white and pure as freshly fallen Norwegian snow. Just as pesky as those Philadelphia pigeons, but much more well-groomed.
Arriving in Aurland, a village of 1200 people (!), we were astounded with scenery even more breathtaking than what we had seen so far. Our host Nat Mead – Uncle of KSB Trainer Leo Mead – met us at the dock and led us to one of only two hotels in the town. There we had a hearty Norwegian meal and then a quick change for our 6pm concert.
Our venue was a quaint 800 year old church – magnificent in its simplicity. Every bit as moving as the largest cathedral in Europe in its own intimate way. The question was, would anyone come to the performance. This is not the sort of thing that happens in Aurland. And we were competing with the town high school graduation. Well, much to Nat and our surprise, we packed the house. The audience could not have been more delighted. The connection between us and our audience was palpable. I wish I could have transported each and every KSB tour parent to this charming space to witness the sort of bond that your sons create instantaneously through song. It was very special, the kind of performance that only happens once a tour – if a choir is lucky. KSB is lucky indeed.
All the boys left happy with their new, one-night-only homestay. It’s neat to see the younger, “first tour” boys blossom. Now they’re veterans meeting hosts. Hand out, firm shake, eye contact. Fostering the kind of confidence when meeting strangers that will serve them throughout their lives.
Oh, and one really fun thing that happened today. We met up with a couple from Israel who had already heard us three times in Norway. To thank them for their groupie like loyalty, the Grads surrounded them and serenaded them with “Oseh Shalom.” Very moving tour moment. Caught up in the moment, they invited KSB to Israeli. The man said he’ll give us his credit card. He shouldn’t make such offers!
More later…
Leave a Comment