A
month ago, I got a time-machine. It didn’t exactly drop from the sky- most
probably Mom sent it to me from Heaven. The gift was wrapped using shining golden
paper with ‘God loves U’ printed all over. There was an oval silver clock with
a microphone attached to it. And I couldn’t have known it was a time-machine
but for the following gold engraving-
‘He doth maketh twelve-day- journeys
across any land thru time,
Who useth the mic to speaketh his wandering mind…’
Wow!
As the reality of the masterpiece started dawning on me, I was overjoyed! Only
Mom knew how much I wanted to visit different countries on Earth, and now she
was giving me a magical chance! Having read about the fascinating ‘Land of the Midnight
Sun’- Norway, I was captivated by her fjords, fishing grounds, rich history, festivals,
mouth-watering cuisine and friendly people. Without doubt, I decided to travel
to the enchanting country of Norway. I spoke on the mic- “Take me to Norway
during the era of the majestic Vikings! Make me a sea-faring Lady there who is
tough yet charming!”
Lo
and behold! I was on a ship of Vikings! Most surprisingly, I felt my hair pushed
back and braided neatly. Also, I was in a beautiful long flowing dress with red-and-black
checks and black gum-boots. The dragon-ship called ‘Gokstad’ was wobbling crazily on the sea under the moonlight. Some
heavily built, stern-looking men came towards me. As I had never been on a
ship, the wobbliness was making me dizzy. I was moving like a drunken person
and the Vikings looked at me queerly. One among them thundered-“Who are you and
what brings you here?” I was scared but with a sudden spurt of courage I
thundered back- “I’m the Moonlight’s Guide! I’ve come to protect this ship from
Evil Powers!” The Vikings bowed in unison and said some prayer which I couldn’t
understand. Then they took out their pan-pipes, drums and cow-horn bugles and
we all sang, danced, ate and drank. The din made enemy-ship Oseberg’s bugle inaudible. We jerked out
of merry-making when a spear landed in our midst. Instinctively, I pulled out
the spear and hurtled it towards the enemy-ship. While they gazed, surprised by
the presence of a sea-faring Lady, our Vikings started raining a heap of spears
on Oseberg, which lost a few men. The
others sailed away, unfurling the ‘White Flag’. Our victorious Vikings
celebrated with music, wine and praises for me! I thanked them for the
wonderful time, quickly took out my time-machine and said on the mic- “Make me
a Norwegian folk musician of 1756, give me the countryside fun and thrills!”
Wow!
I was now a merry folk musician, holding the Hardanger fiddle! In a bright blue-and-red frilly frock, stockings
and brown boots, I attracted attention in the village of Kandal! The countryside offered great sights- lush green fields;
canals carrying sparkling water; majestic horses; belled cows; farmers working
enthusiastically under an azure sky. Soon other musicians with drums, bukkehorns and langeleiks also joined. The resulting music was foot-tapping; it
wasn’t long before all villagers started dancing joyously! Later, the kind
village-folk invited me for food. Then, I went about exploring the countryside
with the youngsters. They showed me old churches, waterfalls, lakes and animals
like deer and moose. They were very curious about my whereabouts. Each time I
blushed and asked a different question like whether they went to school, or if
they played cricket. Since they didn’t know cricket, I taught them! Thus my
three days in the countryside passed quickly with music, dance, bonfires,
excellent food and games. I thanked the villagers post bonfire of my last day
there for making my stay thoroughly enjoyable. Then, under the star-lit sky, on
the mic of my time-machine I said - “Allow me now to live a quiet Norwegian painter’s
life, take me to a place where Sun shines at midnight”.
So
I reached Komsa, a small town beyond
the Arctic Circle. Though past midnight, I was beholding a miracle- the Sun was
still shining! Thankfully I was in jeans and a furry jacket, for it was cold. I
walked upto the line of houses and discovered that it was a painters’ town! I
knocked on one of the doors and was welcomed by a couple- Norman and Mary. They
gave me a fresh canvas, brushes, colours and took me to the ‘Painters’ Point’.
I was speechless seeing the pristine beauty of the fjords and sparkling blue
waters. The sky was a demure violet. Norman said it was the perfect time to capture
the awesome scenery on canvas. So, they left me to be one with Nature. I
painted to my heart’s content. In between, I pinched myself to ensure that I
wasn’t seeing a life-size picture-postcard or a dream! When the couple returned
after some hours, they were surprised by my ‘exquisite’ painting and said the ‘Painters’
Market’ beckoned it! I visited other painters, was awed by their unique
paintings, had Grilled Salmon and participated
in the glorious celebration of Sankthans!
Long after midnight, we started out for ‘Painters’ Market’- the art-lovers’
paradise. Buyers came from the world over. They had a difficult time choosing
which painting to buy! Mine was taken by a sweet old French couple. I thanked
Norman and Mary for the past two memorable days. I took out my mic and said-“Now
make me a fish-catcher of Norway, allow me to witness the currents meet and the
fabulous Northern Lights display!”
And
I was at Ballstad, wearing bright orange
fisherman gear! A fisherman was about to start for the sea. I said- “I’m Anna, a
fish-catcher! Can I catch fish with you today?” “Sure! Please join us! I’m
Griffin and meet my wife Rosy!” said Griffin. We started out seaward. The water
was ice-cold! Soon we reached the deep-sea fishing point where we spread a huge
net and caught myriads of fish: cod, halibut, mackerel, haddock, monkfish! The
surprise catch- a 37 kg skrei, fought
with Griffin and when its gills gave in, we held the giant proudly! After
another two rounds of catch, when Griffin’s half-ton dish was brimming with
fish, we decided to return. Rosy said she cooked traditional fish dishes of
Norway well and requested me to stay at their rorbu cabin. I gladly accepted. Griffin’s rorbu was small, yet cozy and his Grandma stayed there too! After a
glorious supper of Torsk and Fiskesuppe, I was awestruck seeing the
splendid Aurora Borealis. I felt as
if dazzling lights were dancing all across the skies to the ethereal music of
our Universe! Grandma told me the wonderful Nordic tales of Twelve Wild Ducks and The Husband who Minded the House too. Early
next day, we shipped our catch and earned lots of money! To treat me, Griffin took
us exactly where the warm and cold currents met in the sea! Miraculously, the
waters had different colors; the multi-colored plankton was unlike any I’d ever
seen! After returning and finishing a sumptuous supper, I thanked my hosts for
the two blessed days. I promised Grandma that I’d listen to more fables during
my next visit. The mic took my voice command again- “Make me a ski-guide on the
Norwegian slopes so snowy, allow me to make snowmen with kids and ski expertly!”
So
now I was a professional ski-guide for kids on the picturesque Hemsedal! I found myself wearing snow
goggles, skis, thick woolen wear and surrounded by ten chattering kids of
different nationalities! First I taught them how to wear and remove the skis. Next,
on the gentlest slope, I skied a few meters and showed them how to start and
stop motion. The kids started skiing. While the Norwegian and Indian kids were
keen observers and picked up fast, others lagged a bit so I personally skied
with them. With the beginners’ lessons over, the kids scurried to their parents.
After lunch break, I kept a flag some distance away which the kids would have
to bend away from and go ahead to reach the finish line. Then I announced a
snowman-making event. The kids were overjoyed! The next day, I put more flags
on the kids’ ski paths and found they had perfected the bends! Since the kids’
snowmen were half-covered in snow due to overnight snowfall, we even rebuilt the
snowmen. By now the kids had mingled well and started throwing snowballs at
everyone! The parents and kids thanked me for two days of enjoyable skiing
lessons. Thanking them too and adoring the gorgeous slopes, I said on my
glittering mic- “Take me to the modern capital city of Oslo; allow me to
experience Norway like never before!”
Wow!
After the various roles, now I was myself- a tourist experiencing the sights
and sounds of the beautiful city of Oslo! I was wearing a colorful floral dress
with fancy sandals! I first went to the Viking
Ship Museum which had the two dragon-ships- Oseberg and Gorkstad! I
couldn’t believe there that I had already been there and done that! I visited
the Oslo court where Anders Behring Breivik’s hearing took place. I felt sad
that in the country where I’d met the friendliest people, there was also a mass
murderer. Also I visited Vigelandsparken Sculpture Park, Oslo Harbor
and walked on the roof of The Opera House!
Holmenkollen, TusenFryd and Natural History Museum were simply
mind-blowing. I went to the Nobel Institute too, and felt as if I had won the
Nobel Prize! Two fun-filled days just zoomed by. Mixed emotions engulfed me-
warm, happy feelings in my heart; also sorrow at the thought of leaving this
amazing country that had become my Home for the past twelve days. Under the bright
lights of Karl Johansgate
Street, I spoke on the
sparkling mic- “My marvellous twelve-day Norway journey has come to an end, so
take me back to my hometown my Time-Machine friend!”
And
I was back in my room, with the glittering time-machine in my hand. Still
unable to believe it all, I thought- had I seen a dream or was my time travel
for real?! The time-machine winked mischievously. Just then a sudden wish
sprang in my heart. I instinctively said on the mic- “I know you can take me
through the past till the present, now give me a glimpse of future travel!”
And
magically, I was transferred to a lavish party. Many dignitaries were present-
both Indian and International. I was wearing a rich, traditional Indian Saree. Many of them were giving me
flowers and congratulating me. I was baffled. I felt lost, yet kept smiling,
for everyone’s attention seemed to be on me. Just then, I turned and looked at
the huge banner put up behind me. It said- “Welcome Ms. Amrita Sabat- Indian
Ambassador to Norway, 2022-2027”! Oh my God- I couldn’t believe it! I realized
that my future was to be charted in this way- I was to enter the Foreign
Services, be trained and posted in other countries for some years and then in
2022, I would become the Indian Ambassador to Norway! The realization thrilled
me immeasurably! I lived twelve days of my future as the dignified
representative of my country at Niels
Juels Gate 30, Oslo! At the end of my stay, I said on my shiny mic- “Thanks
to you I know what my future holds for me, now take me back to my present so
I’ll work to live the future I’ve just lived!”
Back
at my bed at home, I started capturing all the wonderful experiences of my first
time-travel through Past, Present and Future in my diary. My time-machine has been twinkling in my
cupboard ever since. Did you ask where I’ll go next?! To Norway yet again- to
be in the shoes of : a Norwegian baker, farmer, hiker and tour-guide!
This was my entry for 'I Dine Sko' or 'In my Shoes', an Indo-Norwegian Fictional Writing Competition. It did not win yet this writing is very close to my heart. In the New Year's first post, this is a gift to all my readers. And I definitely will visit Norway- completely enticed, awed and in love with Norway! :) This is NOT an advertisement of Norway- it's a writing helped by my month-long research on the country and its people. And all thanks to blessings of my Angelic Mom. This completely is for U....
