Thomas James (Wales)

Gamlestova Barnehage, Hafslo, Luster
Email: liquidveteran@hotmail.com

Check this article publicated in the SONG AVIS (regional news paper)

Why are you a volunteer?

I chose to become a volunteer as I had reached a point where I needed a break from education and I wanted to fulfil my desire to travel, I also needed to test my possible future career (i.e. Teaching, working with children) and so Gamlestova barnehage was the ideal place to spend 1 year of my life!

Why did you choose Norway?

I wanted to come to Norway as I had been 3 times before , and had grown to love the country and its people. I had only sampled Norway on 3 previous visits so I thought it would be best to immerse myself within the Norwegian everyday life so I could become truly Norwegian!

What did you do?

I work at Gamlestova barnehage, a Kindergarten in Hafslo. I work 6 to 7 hours per day starting and finishing and different times. I help the children with their food, their toys, their games, their songs, getting dressed and sometimes (as infrequently as possible) I help them after they have done their business on the toilet! (Bæsj, Promp, Fise, Tisse in Norwegian) Most of these tasks are enjoyable and most of the time provide great amusement as children inevitably do.

What is bad about being a volunteer?

Negative things about being a volunteer? I don't think there are any negative aspects of being a volunteer, everyone in this world would like more money, but apart from that volunteering is an extremely rewarding experience.

Three typical norwegian things?

Blond: Out of 22 children in the kindergarten, 21 are blond. The general population are mostly blond, with a few exceptions!
The Food! Brun ost, Raspeballe, Fiskeballe, Grandiosa Pizza, Fisk, Lappa, Julebrus, Grøt, Hansa Pilsner øl, Hansa Juleøl, Kjøttkake, Nosk Lerum Syltetøy og Flatbrød! The food is special here to say the least! I have strangely grown to like all the above and I will definitely be taking some of them home to Britain.
Alcohol! Norwegians don’t drink that often because of the strict alcohol laws and prices, but when they do drink, oh boy! They drink a lot.

What was my first phrase?

Helvetes Fittetryne (Still not quite sure what it means)

My best norwegian experience?

Deep Sea Fishing in the North Sea:
One evening in the summer about eight of us took a boat and sailed towards the blue and pink sky on a warm and sunny evening. We fished with remarkable success. The water was so calm, the sky was picturesque and the fish were plentiful! After that trip I really felt Norwegian. I had fish blood on my hands, I smelt of fish, I was generally dirt and disgusting, I had my knife on my waist and I was drinking Norwegian quality beer!

My favorite norwegian food?

Food? I've already talked about that!?!? But, I am a great lover of fish and so I think I definitely chose the right country for fish!

If I had optional things to do, what would I do?

Visit Lofoten on a regular basis.
Northern lights every night and perhaps even during the day.
A car to travel everywhere and see this beautiful country in its entirety.

The most important phrases in my job:

Kut ut! Slutt!
Ikkje dut! Ikkje springe!
Vil du gå på do?