MacMurray College
Denmark & Norway Itinerary!

Friday, May 8 Depart on SAS from Chicago. We will all meet in Chicago.

Copenhagen photos above and below.

Saturday, May 9 Arrive Copenhagen D
Arrive Copenhagen mid-day. Transfer from airport to your hotel. This afternoon, a guided canal tour will introduce you to the city from a unique vantage point – its network of canals. The canals of Copenhagen were inspired by those of Amsterdam. Dinner and overnight at Norlandia Mercur Hotel or similar



Above is an aerial shot of the Oresund Sound.

Sunday, May 10 "Around the Øresund Sound" Day Excursion B
Breakfast at the hotel. Today will be a unique experience taking you into Sweden, and the countryside of Denmark north of Copenhagen. The Øresund Sound is the body of water that divides Denmark and Sweden, between Copenhagen, Malmö, and the areas north to Helsingør and Helsingborg. Using a special transportation ticket called "Around the Sound", you will travel by train and ferry and experience small towns, a university city, castles, countryside and the idyllic coastline. This is possible since these the distances are short, and transportation is frequent between points.
The Øresund Region is part of Scandinavia and comprises eastern Denmark and southern Sweden, linked by the impressive Øresund Bridge. From both sides of the Øresund strait, the bridge is a striking spectacle. The 204 m high pylons are visible from far away - a new landmark in the Øresund Region. The Øresund fixed link is 16 km long and consists of a 8 km long bridge, a tunnel and an artificial island. You can cross the beautiful bridge either by car or by train and the journey between the Danish Copenhagen and the Swedish Malmö only takes half-an-hour. The Region is a fascinating area full of contrasts.
Visit Malmö, Sweden, a city with stunning historic buildings and distinctive Swedish character.

See Lund, Sweden, a quaint and historic University town, also well known for its Cathedral (photo above). The University of Lund dates back to 1668, and draws students from all over the world. Enjoy the Botanical Gardens or the open air museum.
Stop in Helsingborg, Sweden, situated on the Ørresund Sound with a long and rich history. An independent city walk will take you through narrow alleys, main thoroghfares, and through streets from medieval Helsingborg. Pass the oldest home in the city from 1641, the 14th century Mariakyrkan, and past parks and fountains. Visit the bustling harbor area, and don’t miss the Dunker Culture Center, which offers a wide variety of art, theater, music and dance to the local community. The culture center features city history and a variety of temporary exhibitions.
Ferries depart Helsingborg every ½ hour bound for the "sister" city of Helsingør a short 20 minute trip across the sound. The charming town center and sturdy brick train station welcome you to Denmark!

Situated on the coastline on a point jutting into the Sound is the medieval Kronborg Castle (photo above), made famous by Shakespeare’s "Hamlet". Experience the elegant royal castle on a guided tour, including the military fortifications, the castle yard, the Chapel, Royal Chambers, the Ballroom and the Casemates – an underground network of corridors and rooms located under the castle, which served as soldier quarters during times of war.
It is also possible to visit the Louisiana Museum of Art in Humblebæk. Surrounded by nature and on the Øresund coast, the museum features an exceptional art collection from the 20th century in addition to several special international exhibitions each year. Overnight at Norlandia Mercur Hotel or similar

Above is a shot from the Oslo Harbor

Monday, May 11 Copenhagen – Overnight ferry to Oslo B, D
Morning free for shopping or perhaps an optional visit to the Carlsberg (photo below) or Tuborg Brewery.

The Kierkegaard themed guided tour this afternoon will feature Søren Kierkegaard related locations in Copenhagen. See memorial plaques on a former home and school, the cemetery and his grave, and visit the Copenhagen City Museum which has a room featuring Kierkegaard memorabilia. See other significant places from his time, and statues honoring Kierkegaard. The tour ends at the pier to embark DFDS ferry. Departure at 5pm by overnight ferry to Oslo. Dinner and overnight on board.

Oslo at night.

Tuesday, May 12 Oslo B, D
Breakfast on board as you sail through the scenic Oslofjord. Arrive Oslo at 9am, transfer and orientation sightseeing with local guide on arrival. See the city center and City Hall, site of the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Pass the Royal Palace, and visit Vigeland Sculpture Park. Continue to the peninsula of Bygdøy for a guided tour the Viking ship museum. The tour ends here, but there is more to see on Bygdøy, depending on individual interests. An option is to visit the Norwegian Folk Museum and the Kon-Tiki and Fram museums, then take a ferry back to the city center. You will have a 2-day Oslo card to use this afternoon for transportation and additional independent sightseeing or entrances.
Dinner and overnight at Thon Hotel Opera or similar

Above, Syttende Mai parade in Oslo.

Wednesday, May 13 Oslo B, D
Breakfast at the hotel. Discuss Knut Hamsun’s works and trace novel Hunger through the streets of Oslo.
Tour Oslo independently with your Oslo Card for the remainder of the day. Dinner and overnight at Thon Hotel Opera of similar

A shot of the Flam railway in action.

Thursday, May 14 Oslo – Flåm B, D
Depart Oslo by train, traveling over the "Roof of Norway", the Hardanger Plateau. Change trains in Myrdal, and take the famous Flåm railway down to the charming fjord village.
Enjoy an exciting Fjord Safari boat trip this afternoon, a 20-passsenger fast boat will zip you close to the mountain walls for a breathtaking experience! Dinner and overnight at Flåmsbrygga Hotel.

Balestrand Harbor above.

Friday, May 15 Flåm –Balestrand B, LP (lunch pack), D
Breakfast at the hotel. The Flåm valley has many opportunities for outdoor adventures. Today, the group will participate in a guided combination kayak/hiking trip which will bring everyone up close to the fjords and nature. It is an easy trip, no kayaking experience is needed – there will be instruction given. Picnic lunch, return to Flåm. Depart on the afternoon express boat to the fjord village of Balestrand, situated on the shore of the Sognefjord.
Balestrand lies between towering, snow-covered mountains and the majestic Sognefjord in a beautiful and lush fjord landscape. The impressive scenery and the constantly changing light brought many painters here to capture the fascinating play of light on canvas. Art is still a major factor in today's Balestrand. Artists either live here permanently or visit to exhibit their works.
Kvikne’s Hotel is situated on the shore of the Sognefjord in Balestrand and dates back to 1877. It features an impressive collection of art and historical pieces, stunning vies of the fjord and exceptional service.
Before dinner, enjoy a cultural walk of Balestrand with local artist Bjørg Bjøberg. Bjørg’s watercolor paintings have been sold throughout Norway and the world. She will share insights and interpretation of life in and around Balestrand and its history as an artist colony.
Your dinner will be memorable – Kvikne’s famous smørgåsbord, featuring a wide selection of fish, meat and lots of Norwegian specialties. Save room for dessert! Kvikne’s Hotel

Bergen from above.

Saturday, May 16 Balestrand – Bergen B, D
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure from Balestrand by express boat to Bergen, arriving at 11:40 am. Stop at the hotel to drop off your luggage and meet your city guide.
An afternoon walking tour will introduce you to the city’s history as you stroll through the historic area of Bryggen, visit the Fish market (photo below), and take the funicular to the top of Mt. Fløien for a spectacular view of the city below. Dinner and overnight at Augustin Hotel

Beautiful Bergen.

Sunday, May 17 Bergen, Celebrate Norway’s National Day B,D
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a full day of parades and celebrations for Norway’s Constitution Day, called Syttende Mai.
Syttende Mai commemorates the day Norway became an independent nation in 1814, after it had been under Swedish rule.
A schedule of events will be available much closer to the date. There will be a huge variety of festivities taking place.
Farewell dinner at one of Bergen’s many wonderful restaurants. Overnight at Augustin Hotel

Final view of Bergen. B

Monday, May 18 Bergen
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for your departure on SAS, changing planes in Copenhagen, arriving Chicago late afternoon.

B=Breakfast included

D=Dinner included

Side Trips?

Fellow travelers, don't be afraid to think of or research some special locations or events that you would like to see or attend while in Denmark and Norway.

I have taken the time to find a few things that interest me: baseball and fly-fishing.

Baseball in Scandinavia? You bet'cha.

Oslo Norway has a professional team named The Pretenders.

While in Denmark it may be possible to see a Danish baseball club based in Copenhagen. They play in the European Baseball Confederation.

Looks fun from my view.

On a more serious note: We are all set at financial aid so get in there and have a meeting with the good folks in the financial aid office and see what they can offer you!

More on fly-fishing in Scandinavia next post.

Passport 101

Whether you want to study Kierkegaard or shoot excellent photos, you will need the same thing in your pocket when we fly out of Chicago - a valid US passport.

To save you and us as much heartache and stress as possible, I have put together this blog entry as an information source containing several links to many useful websites in order to make your passport application process as quick and easy as possible.

Frequently Asked Question #1: When should I apply for my passport?

Getting a passport is a lot easier and less stressful than many of you think, but it CAN be a time-consuming process when it comes to receiving your shiny new passport in the mail. The best answer is this - as soon as possible. Sure, it is possible to obtain a passport rather quickly, but you will have to pay an extra fee and it is really not worth the extra cost and hassle. The sooner you can gather your photos, identification and completed for and get them to your local passport office, the better.

Frequently Asked Question #2: What is the passport application process?

Why should I answer this question when the United States Department of State can do it for me? Click here to be directed to detailed instructions on how to apply for a first-time passport. Follow the links on that page to find the types of identication you will need as well as the form you will need to complete in order to apply for your passport.

Frequently Asked Question #3: Where can I get my passport photo taken?

Passport photos can be taken at a variety of places. Walgreens, Kinkos, and a variety of other retail establishments will take an develop your photo for a small fee. Please note that the photo needs to follow a strict set of guidelines, so your best bet is to let the experts do it for you.

Frequently Asked Question #4: Where can I apply for my passport?

Included in the link provided in the answer for Question #2 is link to where you can apply for your passport. Here is a more direct link to where to find passport application locations.

Frequently Asked Question #5: What should I do once I have applied for my passport?

This one is easy! As soon as you apply for your passport AND when you receive your passport, please contact me (Khara) so that I can update your information sheet.

____________________________

Well, that's it for now. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me or Dr. Berg so that we can help guide you through this process as soon as possible.

Happy passporting!

Hamsun

Knut Hamsun (1859-1952) was born in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, and grew up in poverty in Hamarøy in Nordland. From early childhood he was a shoemaker's apprentice, but was also a road worker, stonemason, junior-level teacher, and so on.

He spent some years in America, travelling and working as a tram driver, and published his impressions, chiefly satirical, under the title Fra det moderne Amerikas Aandsliv (1889) [The Intellectual Life of Modern America]. The novel Sult (1890) [Hunger] and even more so Pan (1894) led to Hamsun's literary breakthrough and Sult is regarded as the first genuinely modern novel in Norwegian literature.
Hamsun's work is determined by a deep aversion to civilization and the belief that man's only fulfilment lies with the soil. This primitivism (and its concomitant distrust of all things modern) found its fullest expression in Hamsun's masterpiece Markens Grøde (1917) [Growth of the Soil]. His early works usually centre on an outcast, a vagabond figure, aggressively opposed to civilization. In his middle period, Hamsun's aggressiveness gives way to melancholy resignation about the loss of youth. The decay of age is the theme of such plays as Livets Spil (1896) [Game of Life] and Aftenrøde (1898) [ Sunset], as well as of the novels Under Høststjernen (1906)[Under the Autumn Star], Benoni (1908), and En Vandrer Spiller med Sordin (1909) [A Wanderer Plays on Muted Strings]. In 1904 Hamsun also published a volume of poems, Det vilde Kor [The Wild Chorus].

Hamsun's later works focused less on individual characters and more on broad attacks on civilization. Apart from Marken's Grøde one should mention Børn av Tiden (1913) [Children of the Age], Segelfoss By (1915) [Segelfoss Town] Landstrykere (1927) [Vagabonds], August (1930), Men Livet lever (1933) [The Road leads on], and Ringen sluttet (1936) [The Ring is Closed].
Hamsun's admiration for Germany, which was of long standing, made him sympathetic toward the Nazi invasion of Norway in 1940. After the war he was sentenced to the loss of his property, temporarily put under psychiatric observation, and spent his last years in poverty. A fifteen-volume edition of his complete works was published in 1954, two years after his death.

Hamsun is one of the great writers of the twentieth century, though his best works were written before 1900. He is one of the most influential European novelists of the last hundred years, yet he is not well known in the United States. Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, the most important Norwegian author since Ibsen, he is often ignored in his own country.

Hamsun wrote three of the greatest novels of the late nineteenth century, novels which created a new literary style and which delineated a new literary hero: the alienated loner. In Growth of the Soil (1917), he produced an epic agrarian novel that describes, with Biblical power, the attraction and honesty of working with the land. His work was widely admired in the first half of the twentieth century, with writers as diverse as Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, and Henry Miller citing Hamsun's work as being of special importance and influence. Isaac Bashevis Singer, in his essay "Knut Hamsun, Artist of Skepticism" goes so far as to claim that "the whole modern school of fiction in the twentieth century stems from Hamsun."

Hamsun's most famous novels is Hunger, an intense story of a starving writer, which has attracted readers since its publication in 1890. Also worth mentioning on this short note are his novels Pan and Mysteries.

Hamsun's reputation waned rapidly following World War II. Charged with treason for his support of the Norwegian Nazi Party (Nasjonal Samling), his works went out of favor in Norway and elsewhere. As with other writers who supported the Axis powers -- Ezra Pound, for example -- Hamsun's work has had a difficult time regaining the prominence it enjoyed before the war.

Webpages:

http://www.hamsun.dk/uk/

http://kirjasto.sci.fi/khamsun.htm

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/12/26/051226crat_atlarge

The Wonderful World of Digital Cameras

We've all been there, stumbling through the aisles of Walmart, simply trying to find something normal, like a decent photo frame for Mother's Day or a new pillowcase or laundry detergent, and then the inevitable happens - you wander into the camera section. Look at them! So pretty, so shiny, so SMALL, so many different kinds with so many buttons! It's all a bit overwhelming, really.

Because of all of the confusion wrapped around digital cameras and digital photography, I would like to start my photo section of this blog by answering a simple but confusing pair of questions - number one, "what is a digital camera?" and number two, "what type of digital camera will I need for the Norway May Term Trip?" - don't worry, I'm here to help.

NUMBER ONE: What is a digital camera?

Simply put, a digital camera is a camera that stores the images that are taken by the photographer as a digital image on a memory card or stick instead of light-sensitive film. There are several types of memory sticks and cards, the most common being SD or CompactFlash cards, both of which are easily available and purchased with high memory capacities so that you can take, erase and store hundreds or thousands of images.

What sets digital photography apart from film is the ability of the photographer to review the quality of his or her images immediately after they have been taken. Remember when you used to use film and had to either wait three days to see your photos or pay the extra price to see them in an hour? Long gone are those days as we can now see our images on the LCD screen on the back of our cameras. Though this may only seem like a simple convenience, it has actually changed the face of photography as we can not only SEE the images quicker, we can also LEARN from them quicker. We no longer have to wonder how that new way you took your picture will look, we can see it immediately and evaluate how well it works or if you need to tweak anything about it. In these ways, digital photography has allowed the general public to become better photographers quicker than any other photographic invention in history.

NUMBER TWO: What type of digital camera will I need for this trip?

There are two basic types of digital cameras that are good choices for this trip - the "Point and Shoot" variety, or Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras, also known as DSLRs.

"Point and Shoot" cameras are the standard digital cameras of our time - compact, portable, inexpensive and user-friendly, they are the cameras that you slip into your pocket to take with you to use at a party. The camera to the right is a typical example of the "Point and Shoot" digital camera. They typically have a decent zoom capability and have the advantage of being easy to use as well as easy to carry on the many excursions we will be taking around Scandinavia. What they lack is an ability to change lenses and manual settings which allow you to truly have control over your images.

The other type of camera is the DSLR, which many people consider to be more of a "professional camera." Complete with interchangeable lenses and the ability to change all of the settings that the camera uses in order to take a photo, these cameras allow you to be fully in control over all of your pictures. Though they tend to be more expensive, DSLRs are more of a stable investment that a Point and Shoot camera - with DSLRs, you can modify the camera with different lenses, filters and flashes that will allow this camera to continue to be one that you will use for years to come. Shown to the left is the Nikon D40, a wonderful example of a DSLR. The downside to these cameras is that they are more expensive and they are not as easy to carry around with you, as they do take up a bit more space and add a few extra pounds to your back. For those of you who want to have full control over you images, however, it is more than worth the effort if you have the extra cash to spend.

So, what type of camera should you have for the trip? Whichever one of the above types that you choose. My only requirement is that your camera be in wonderful working order, that is has more than 4.0 megapixels (you can ask me about THOSE later) and that you have more than 3G of memory cards for your camera at the time of the trip so that you are in no way limited by storage space - we do want to take thousands of pictures, right?

Perhaps, like many of us, you already have a digital camera and would like to know if it would be suitable for the trip so that you don't need to make the extra investment, and that would be fine, too. If that's the case, I would be glad to take a look at it to make sure that I think you will be happy with your pictures when you return.

If you would like to make the investment in a new camera or would like to start saving your pennies and Christmas gift money for a new toy, I'd suggest you start looking at your local Best Buy at the digital cameras. Look for cameras in your price range and really try them out. Pick them up, see how they feel, and see if you feel as if you would be comfortable using different cameras. Also, if you are planning on replacing an older camera that you own, take into consideration the type of rechargeable batteries and memory cards that you may already have - if you buy a camera that requires the same equipment, you could save yourself some money. From there, go home and check out B&H Photo and Video and see if you can get a better deal for that camera online - usually, you can. B&H is a very reputable online photography supplier and I would recommend them for their quality service and competitive prices.

If you decide that Point and Shoot is more your style, here is B&H links to those cameras:
Here they are!
If you are going to opt for the DSLRs, check here:
Right here!

As for me, I will be packing one of both; my current camera collection includes a Canon SD1000 (a very respectable Point and Shoot) and a Nikon D50, my DSLR. I like them both for very different reasons and they both take very terrific photos. Some of the shots that I have taken with them appear here.

I know, it may seem overwhelming, but you will find the camera that is right for you whether it is online, at Best Buy or in your backpack already, and together we will take some amazing images that will last a lifetime.



Coming up soon - How To Take Interesting Pictures

Kierkegaard

Greetings from the Philosophy side of the trip.

I had a great question from a student the other day. What is a Kierkegaard?

I thought about the question for a few days and decided it would be a good way to start the discussion here. The other philosophical figure we will study on my end is Knut Hamsun and I will do a similar post for Hamsun in a few weeks so check back. I will also continue the Kierkegaard discussion as the year moves on.

First and foremost the family name "Kierkegaard" means something like "churchyard" in Danish. That is an interesting family name and it does fit his philosophical work.

Kierkegaard is generally considered the father of existentialism. What is existentialism? It is a way of philosophical thinking and posing questions that have to do with life and the value of it.

Soren Kierkegaard

Before the trip I would like each student to become familiar with some of the basic and most influential works of Kierkegaard and the story of his life. When we reach Denmark in May I would like the students to be able to understand what Kierkegaard wrote about and how the city of Copenhagen and landscape of Denmark influenced his life.

Copenhagen

Danish landscape

Kierkegaard is a challenging and fascinating thinker. He trades in irony and humor in his work and had a profound impact on modern psychology, literary theory, theology, and aesthetics.

Question: Can you hold an author accountable for his or her work if they do not sign their name to a work but use a "pen name"?

Very good links:

The Kierkegaard Library at St. Olaf College in Minnesota where I did my research fellowship for my dissertation:
http://www.stolaf.edu/collections/kierkegaard/aboutkierk.html

Kierkegaard Manuscript collection, take a look at first drafts and his handwriting:

http://www2.kb.dk/kultur/expo/sk-mss//index-en.htm

An online course worth a look:

http://www.kvaekerne.dk/personal/HAA/SK1.html

Welcome, May Term-ers!

Hello, all!

Dr. Berg and I thought it would be a great idea to create a blog to keep you all up-t0-date on info regarding the incredible trip that we are planning to Scandinavia in May 2009.

Here we can give you crucial info you need to prepare for the trip including, but not limited to:

• How to apply for financial aid
  
• How to sign up for the trip
• How to apply for a passport if you do not already have one
  
• How to prepare for your class
  
• How to pack and prepare for your adventure abroad

... as well as post images of the amazing sights that we will be seeing across the pond. What can I say, we just can't resist showing you how much of a trip of a lifetime this will be!

So get in touch with either me (Khara) or Dr. Berg, check back here often, and get ready for an amazing time!