So yesterday was Syttende Mai, Norway's national day of independence. Had I ever heard of this day before? I definitely had not. But Andy, my 1/4 Norwegian friend, caught me up to speed. You can read a little about this holiday here.
The things I found most interesting:
1. You celebrate with Norway's national alcoholic beverage, Aquavit. Aquavit is 80-proof and herbal. But what makes Aquavit really amazing: part of the production process involves filling cherry casks with the stuff and putting it on a roundtrip ship voyage to Australia. This causes it to go over the equator not once, but twice, maximizing something to do with gravity. Don't ask me. But they've been doing this for 150 years.
2. A Norwegian toast involves the word (I'm transliterating here) "schkul." This is derived from the same root as our word "skull." Why? Because those crazy Vikings once drank out of skulls, that's why. Awesome.
Anyway, that's how I spent my evening last night, despite the piles of work I have to do . . .
whoa. that is completely awesome!
Posted by: gosey at May 18, 2005 03:30 PMoh Pauly, I love it! I have to find out if I have any Norwegian heritage, or if Jennifer does. I'm not ashamed to claim those rights through marriage. I think "schkul" is my new toast of choice. I mean it beats the hell out of Cheers!
Posted by: ARoss at May 19, 2005 06:58 AMPaul and Pria, we are planning our trip the Pacific Northwest. I will need to talk to you asap so we can work out the details. I will try and call you tonight... I can't wait to see you!!
Posted by: charity at May 19, 2005 01:53 PMIsn't it great? I can't believe I had never heard of such a thing.
It would also be great to see the Martins (or the Goseys or the Rosses) this summer. We'll be home all night, Charity.
Posted by: paul at May 19, 2005 02:24 PM