Transporter 5

4:30am Berlin 
The transporter wakes up. He had a short night and he knows the day will be a long day. On his agenda a lot of packages to pick up. One first at Treptower Park with the mission to escort him - yes, this time the transporter is only taking car of dudes - to a remote and secure location on the side of Lake Geneva.

9:30am Geneva airport
The head, mind and body in the clouds we reach safely Switzerland. Next stop the rental car desk. Gps destination entered, we are on the road, fifth way of transportation for today after my feet, S-Bahn, airplane, bus and now a car.

We cross the city of Geneva, we soon cross the border, we are in France.

11:57am Evian
We are in France but there are German flags everywhere, a little Vichy touch I thought, but no, only the Mannschaft having of head quarter an hotel in Evian during the European Cup starting next week.

A photo posted by jeremie Gerhardt (@mrbonsoir) on Jun 3, 2016 at 3:26am PDT

There is market in town, my German package is easily attracted by all the cheese producers offering to try everything. I almost have to drag Steffen - let's call this package Steffen for convenience - out of the market place or all of our € would have been spend in a few secondes in cheese and saucisson. But really who can blame him?

One jack-jack cable for the car,  café and croissant, water from the source later and we are back on track. Next stop is the parking place of Intermarché in Lugrin to meet the local.

1:56pm Lugrin
We meet another big dude - let's call him JB for convenience - for another mission: to buy food for three days and seven people. Challenge accepted.

2:43pm Meilleirie
At home first before the rest of the group, the mission is to prepare the house. Our host JB uses all his electronic skills and fingers to bring light to the flat. Gipsy mission accomplished!

First beer, first cheese, first rondelle de saucisson and first jump into the water. It's fresh, so fresh but at least we know we are still alive. 10h before I was struggling to leave my bed in Berlin, now I'm struggling to not lose a finger toe in Lake Geneva but I'm definitively awake.

Then three more people arrive, only one is missing, that will be the last mission for the transporter today. For now people arrive from France and Germany, the last package will be picked up in Switzerland close to the French border arriving from Austria by train. For the first time I will have crossed three times a border.

10:00pm
I lost track on what are doing, mainly we talk - the people here almost all met in Norway about ten years ago - drink some stuffs, eat good stuffs, take pictures, watch Lausanne under the rain when we are not. We hope the weather will be fine for tomorrow as we plan to go higher in the mountain.

A photo posted by jeremie Gerhardt (@mrbonsoir) on Jun 15, 2016 at 3:48am PDT

Toujours très beau et définitivement frais - jour 3

in English below

Dimanche 17 janvier

Changement de quartier pour un décor presque identique. Je quitte la paire S&J pour la double paire TA&K&S&M à la station Ulsrud. Il fait toujours aussi froid et beau. Juste le temps de changer de vêtement et nous partons pour Noklevann pour un petit tour de ski de fond. Et voilà, en deux minutes nous sommes dans la forêt, sur un lac, au soleil, en ski de fond, c'est pas un -15c° qui va empêcher les gens de sortir non plus, au contraire! Bon j'ai bien failli perdre mes doigts une ou deux fois mais ca va. Ca fait mal mais c'est bon :-)

Puis petit soirée tranquille avec chez mes amis. Demain je rentre à Berlin où la température est plus élevée certes mais toujours semi-polaire.

* badly english translated

Sunday 17 of January
Change of district for an almost identical landscape. I leave the pair S&J for the double pair TA&K&S&M at the subway station Ulsrud. It is still supra cold and the landscape is still amazing despite being very close the city center. I change clothes and we take the direction of Noklevann for a small cross country ski expedition. In two minutes we are in the forest, on another lake, under the sun, on ski tracks, and it's not a -15c° that will stop up us to slide! I may have lost again a few fingers but I'm getting used to it :-)

Then relax evening by my friends. Tomorrow i'm going back to Berlin where I heard the temperature is slightly warmer but still semi-polar.

Très beau mais encore très très frais - jour 2

in English below

Samedi 16 janvier

Une tasse de café dans la main, la vue sur la forêt enneigée et un lac visible entre les branches, bonjour Oslo! Plein d'énergie et sentant l'appel de la forêt Stephan et moi sautons du balcon et déscendons vers le lac Bogstadvannet. Je prends quelques photos et perds quelques doigts à l'occasion, la routine pour le reste la balade. Mais ca faisait longtemps que je n'avais pas eu cette sensation de froid intense dans un paysage si waouuu avec sa palette blanc, bleu, vert et quelques spots correspondant aux bonnets des gens. Prendre une double claque en marchant sur un lac gelé tout en regardant le paysage autour de soi, checked!

Une fois rentrée un petit thé arrangé pour se réchauffer. Mes hôtes finissent de préparer leur pendaison de crémaillère, les invités peuvent arriver, ils sont prêts. Le suite ce sera un flot continu mélangeant norvégiens, allemands, suédois, danois, francais, polonais et j'en oublie.

* badly english translated

Saturday 16 January

A cup of coffee, view on the forest covered by snow, between the trees a frozen lake, good morning Oslo! Full of energy we feel the call from the forest, Stephan and me winter suit up and jump from their balcony toward the lake Bogstadvannet. I take a few pictures and loose almost immediately three or four fingers, the routine for the rest of today's hike. It was a long time I had this sensation of so intense cold that it burns your skin quickly, but the color palette made of white, blue, green and spots from the winter clothes makes you forget a bit about the pain. Being kicked in the face by the landscape while walking on a frozen lake, checked!

Once back home it's jager tea to warm up the inside. My hosts are busy finishing the numerous delicious meals for the buffet as they are expecting a few more guests for their in-housing party, and they are ready. The night arrives - it's 3:55pm - and the first guests arrive. From now it will be a continuous stream of Norwegians, Germans, Swedishs, Danishs, one French, Polishs and more that I can't follow.

Très beau mais très très très frais - jour 1

in English below

Une excursion en terre d'Oslo où je n'avais pas mis les pieds depuis plus d'un an! Une éternité donc.

Vendredi 15 janvier

Décollage vendredi midi par temps frais pour Berlin mais de saison. Mon pot de moutarde excède les la limite de 5ml et il est confisqué au contrôle sécurité, la guigne. Au duty free un employé me fait une tête mais elle est débile votre question après lui avoir demandé s'ils vendaient de la moutarde allemande... La moutarde ce sera pour une autre fois. 

Dans l'avion c'est le grand luxe, chaque passager a le choix entre six sièges. Vol sans turbulences et survole des alentours d'Oslo sous la neige. Peu de temps avant d'atterrir le pilote nous fait redescendre de nos petits nuages, température annoncée -18c°.

Passage au duty free où après avoir demandé à une employée quel était le vin le moins pire en cubi elle me répond en francais courtoisement celui la ca va, l'autre la pas top. Mon sac rempli je file, enfin je sors direction le train normal et pas le hors de prix flytoget train rapide qui relit l'aéroport à Oslo en 3min plus vite que le train normal et deux fois plus cher. 

En ville je retrouve Glenn - ami américain - un spotter historique d'Oslo et fin connoisseur des lieux. Un burger au Munchies, une bière Brooklyin Beer, une balade pour me montrer les nouveaux lieux, je perds presque un doigt tellement le froid tout ca, plein de nouvelles anédoctes sur cette ville que je connais un peu quand même.

Puis je file, direction le métro et un changement à Majorstua pour un dernier voyage en bus arrêt Liabakken où un germain me réceptionne dans le froid. Content de retrouver el senor Stephan et de découvrir son nouveau refuge qu'il partage depuis peu. J'ai l'impression d'être sur Mars ou une planète glacière avec vu sur l'inconnu. Tout est blanc et on est mieux à l'abris à contempler le ciel étoilé, il est 15h33...

* badly English translated

A short trip to Oslo where I haven't been for more than a year! An eternity.

Friday 15 January

Take off Friday at lunch time from Berlin, fresh weather but seasonnal. My spicy mustard gift doesn't pass the security control as it exceed of 5ml the maximum authorized amount, too bad. Hoping to find some at the duty free the look I got from the employee after I asked about the possibility that they sell mustard I understand that mustard will be for anoter trip. 

The plane isn't full at all, almost each passanger has a full raw for himself. Flight without turbulences, the arrival near Oslo let us see the country under a thin layer of snow. Only the pilote annoucing the imminent landing and temperature -18c° on the ground put recall us to the reality.

Duty free again, after asking in English which of the 3L wine boxes was the less worse the employee answered me in French this one is fine the other you may skip it. My bag is full, direction the normal train to Oslo and not the crazy expensive flytoget which is just 3min faster.

Downtown I met Glenn - an American friend - an historic Oslo spotter and connoiseur of the area. One burger at Munchies - my other local friends agreed with the choice after I told them - with a Brooklyn Beer, a walk in the center to see the changes. I have now new stories to tell about the city, let say I know about the cookies scene in Oslo. 

Back to the subway until Majorstua, then bus 45 and stop at Liabakken. At my arrival a German friend welcomes me in the cold. Happy to meet again el senor Stephan and to discover his new place he is sharing. Entering their flat I feel I'm in Mars with the view by the window to the unknow: all is white and we are better indoor ready to watch the stars in the sky, it's 3:55pm.

Warsaw - premier jour

6:15am  and I'm on the platform at the Berlin Hauptbahnhof. As opposed to the train driver the other travelers and me are in time. Luckily the train  - the Warsaw Express where Express has nothing to do with the speed - being not full means you can seat comfortably and enjoy the long ride to Warsaw.

2:04pm I leave the train station, elevator and bamm I have in front of me the Palac Kultury. I blink my eyes, nooo am I in New-York or what? No, I'm in Poland. 900m further I enter my hotel room located nearby the Warsaw central station. A shower and I'm ready to explore the city. My phone is fully charged, my spotted by local city guide for Warsaw up to date, let's go!

One pass for the public transport in my pocket, I jump in a bus direction the Copernicus Science Center, I heard often about this place during my last job, despite the relative short distance to Berlin I never managed to visit it.

My phone indicates me a 20min bus ride but I left my coach before my final destination, I have seen a bike shop in the street... I meant that one Rowery Bajery. I talk a bit with the owner and manage to leave without buying a bike. A crêpe in Rue de Paris and I finally reach the science center.

4:47pm I pay my entree for the science museum. It's Friday, full of kids from the school running around. I guess the only difference with a weekend day will be more parents in zombie mode with kids running around. But the place is a giant playground for who wants to play with science and get introduction to basic concepts, installations are working, many experiments are doable, friendly staff.

On my way back to my hotel I locate more bike shops - thanks to the local tips I gather before leaving Berlin - but I remain strong and only ask for prices. The street is going up, bike shops, music shops and sometimes bar and bike shop together, an awaken dream this city.

Getting close to a large avenue I spot the palm tree. To me a very good integration of urbanity and modern art. First surprising and then finding it completely in harmony with the roundabout, the cars, the bus, the tramways and buildings.

8:11pm evening is coming and I meet a Morten, a Norwegian scout - but also a friend - here some hours in advance to prepare the field for more Scandinavians. Always nice to meet the friends from other places in other places.

10:11pm the rest of the troop is finally arriving and we all go to the Bazard Klub. The place looks fine, but arriving late together with the staff members we are the only not drunk people.

Then it's time to go sleeping, I'm awake for way to long today. On the way back to our hotels I'm the last leaving the taxi. I continue alone the discussion with the driver, in English - because my Polish sucks - even so it could have been in German. He told me his grand mother used to leave in Berlin not far from where I live.

A full first day in Warsaw.

Babettes Gæstebud or "Le festin de Babette au ski"

The picture, a semi-lost cabin in the Norwegian mountain, winter, new year's eve, snow, friends, food, a lot of food and a deficient lighting system. Despite the new solar panel, system our host was extremely proud of, electricity production was set to almost zero during these days, probably because of the snow stocked on the panel, but that is not the point of this post. A wooden cabin in the woods somewhere in the mountain not far from the lake Losna when you drive from Oslo after passing Lillehammer while going North... And candles, a lot of candles, always surprising how fast you adapt to low light conditions.

It is the 31st of December and everyone is preparing a dish for the diner. The idea is simple, the table has to be full of delicious dishes for tonight's buffet. Starting sunset people were cooking. I remind that in this remote/northern location sunset starts relatively early which was good regarding the amount of work needed.

To get a better picture you should watch or re-watch Babettes Gæstebud, because the quality we reached in the food presented and the light condition to prepare and enjoy the diner were matching those depicted in the movie. Of course no turtle sup (problem is in Norway the turtle is still very expensive and hard to find) but rakfisk, gougère, Lithuanian cheese, filet mignon and many more. And of course shit loads of  good wines, vodka and other bubbly beverages to go with the buffet.

A very good transition to 2014 indeed.

The international color seeker

If you have any interests in color, food, quality light source, food, clean line in landscape, food, you should consider to go once in Scandinavia. Even a simple coffee break after your flight with a German by the new Oslo opera facing the fjord or a one time use grill between a student residence and a tiny power station in Gjovik is worth the experience when you have the sun going down nicely and slowly in your face.

Coming back from another trip to Norway, I re-edited my full time classic: color work discussions for EU meeting, color and image processing work discussions by day at conference and by night while keeping the international level in the evening.

To keep the international level high you have to dose out the ingredients with caution: mix languages, at least three of them (e.g. French, English, Norwegian or French, Italian, German or Norwegian, Hebrew, English or Norwegian, Lithuanian, English or French French and Swiss French...) and mix food specialties. For example setup a norwegian grill with norwegian orange sausages and salad prepared by an Italian or have delicious lasagna prepared by a philosopher in visit Gjovik with later iraki kuba prepared by his mother and norwegian waffle for breakfast by his father, this not to mention the indian style lamb I had in Oslo by the Lithuanian-Norwegian team being served with home made beer.

Back to the civilization

Our train is there is time coming from Bergen. We left Finse early this morning. Outside a race is starting soon and the runners are all warming up. A few hours later we reach Oslo.

I switch mean of transportation and go to the airport Rygge to meet my douce Anne-Laure and pick up our rental car. Tomorrow is another day and another trip, a road trip towards Alesund.

My hiking Stephan partner lends us some camping equipment, the car is full. We are ready!

Vassbygdi, østerbø geiterygghytta, finse - day 3

Alternative title: The Lords of the Rings The Return of the King(s)

Last day of our trek. The most beautiful. As usual we cross many people going in the opposite direction, now we know why.

After walking along the lake, slaloming between sheeps, walking barefoot in freaking cold water, crossing field of snow we reach the highest point of our path. We have lunch on the side of a frozen lake with iceberg slowly melting in front of us. A small detour from the official path to arrive on a 360 view point. It's super windy but the view is again wahouuu.

It's time to go down towards the train station. It's becoming green again with some little flowers here and there but still no trees as we are around 1400/1500m high.

On the grass, protected form the wind side of another lake we have our last hiker meal full of proteins and later the very last over-over-over-overpriced beer.

Vassbygdi, østerbø geiterygghytta, finse - day 2

Alternative title: The Lord of The Rings The Two Towers

Reloaded after a good night of sleep we go again on the road. The clouds left as well and the plans evoked yesterday of "going back earlier to Oslo to seat on the sofa, watch films and drink insane quantity of alcoholic beverages" are already been forgotten.

Beginning of this day hike is easy. We read on the map two sections of 3h and 3h30.  We are leaving the low mountain  for the middle mountain, meaning less trees, more open landscape and some waterfalls.

The no rain factor allows us to enjoy this amazing landscape and I'm not going to far with the words. Trapped yesterday in the clouds and the rocks we are now able to see around us. We also need to put some sunscreen!

We keep an eye regularly on the map, wondering after 7hours why we are not arriving to the next refuge yet? The only people met are going on the opposite direction, meaning going down when we are only going up.

A cool thing with the Norwegian mountains is that they aren't very high, but the variety of scenery is incredible. In just 500m of difference in heigh we went from middle mountain to door of high mountain.

After 10h30 of hike - pause included - we arrive to our second stage completely exhausted. Once again no tent despite the dry weather. But it's also much colder, we opt for the dormitory.

While talking with the owner of this refuge we learned that our little hike wasn't - as we thought - long of 18km but 25km. More important he also told us that most the people doing this hike usually prefer to do it in the opposite order, meaning going down all the time... Knowing that the overpriced ringnes did taste even more delicious.

I'm finding the sleep in half a second. Just the time to enjoy the location of the refuge on a side of another relatively large lake. There are semi wild sheep all around, fishnets are drying on the side of the  house, they like to tease the trout here. The scenery is at the level of the effort you have to provide to reach this place.

Vassbygdi, østerbø geiterygghytta, finse - day 1

Alternate post tile: The Lords of the Rings The Fellowship of The Ring.

Light rain for breakfast, the tent is tied up faster and we hit to the bus station. 20min later we start the hike. Altitude is 0m or maybe 10m above the sea level. The weather is mild.

A classical start from the lovely valley "à la Delivrance" with a big smile on both our faces. We slowly but surely go deeper into the mountain, the valley is also getting narrower. Then it rises sharply and unceremoniously. It drizzles. 

We find a big rock where we are protected from the wind and the tiny drops of water. It's polse and lompe time.  The break is short, we continue. We enter an area who clearly shows huge rocks that felt from the top of the mountain, but years ago as trees and foams are recovering nicely the stones.

Too bad that the weather decides to be insane - which mean rain, rain and rain - because we can't enjoy the landscape. But the good side of it is we are hiking super fast and arrive to our first stop in time. We also abandoned for today the plan to use the tent. It's still raining and we are completely wet. We even wondering of to go back to Oslo tonight as we don't see us continuing two more days with this weather.

Luckily the mountain refuge has a room for two, a drying room for the clothes and food for hungry hikers. Before the diner the warm shower and whisky was probably at this time the best combo ever to refresh our bodies. Finding the sleep was an easy task.