Impressions Of Norway
Impressions Of Norway I was asked recently what my impressions of Norway were following a short cruise to the fjords. Norway ranks highly on our list of annual cruising choices and we have been going there for more years than I care to remember. My impressions from our last cruise are the same as on all past visits to this and other parts of Scandinavia – the country is spotlessly clean, most of the people speak English and are mainly polite and courteous. There will always be exceptions of course but, in the main, that has been my experience. Norway has a population of around 4,500,000 and occupies an area of around 125,000 square miles. This compares with, say, Greater London which has a population of around 7,000,000 and occupies just 600 square miles. You can鈥檛 really compare the two except in some respects. For example, why is it that Norway鈥檚 streets and pavements are so clean when there are so few people to cover such a large area when London鈥檚 streets (and many other places) are so dirty, graffiti-ridden and litter-strewn when there are so many folk around and employed to keep it clean? One of the answers to this question must have something to do with self-respect, respect for others and respect for one鈥檚 surroundings. Other factors will undoubtedly be at play, but respect has much to do with it I am sure. Secondly, head for head, how many of us can converse with a foreigner in their own language? Very few I fear and, in truth, I am no exception.