Day 44: Another Late Night

 Welcome to the official blog of the Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag's epic adventure in Norway. It's been a very long road to get here, but 44 days from now we will head to the airport and begin our dream tour. There are still details to finalize, paperwork to do, shopping to complete, emails to write, and countless other tasks. But, I happen to like blogging. 

When I first conceived of this trip it was the autumn of 2017, and I had just returned from a tour with the kids in Denmark. This had been the second tour, the first being to Sweden in 2013. I thought that every four years was about right, and set my sights on Norway in 2021. There was, however, a small worldwide happening that delayed us - a wee little pandemic - and now here it is 2023. 

In the end, I think the extra time was well spent. It allowed us to play online and build up a wider audience. It also meant much longer to fundraise for the trip. The kids formed a solid unit, and leadership considered and reconsidered plans. I cannot count the hours -- it would be a scary number -- spent planning, pre-touring in Norway, researching, and trying to make sure the trip would be the best ever. 

Leading up to the tour, we had two fundraising shows, one in Portland, Oregon, a first for us, and the other in Seattle. The Portland show provided us with an opportunity to travel together, a sort of short dry run. It was fun, and I learned that the kiddos are terrific travelers. They helped each other, helped with tasks that needed hands, and were on time for every deadline. Impressive! We had the most successful concert ever in Seattle, far exceeding our goal! 

Next was the pack out. This is the time for a traveler to gather all of their travel things, put them in the suitcase, and prove that everything fits in one carry-on-size suitcase. It's always hilarious, this time because one individual has not ever packed for themself. Her bag, when opened, looked like a bomb went off inside. Nothing was folded or stacked, no socks tucked tidily in shoes, and some items on the packing list were simply absent. This made for a very teachable moment! "You know, those zippered things are actually packing cubes and you put your clothes IN them." "Oh, I had no idea what those were for, my mom just handed them to me. " And then there was "Roll or fold, don't stuff." Seriously! But in the end, this youngster learned how to do it neat and tight, and we could even collapse her suitcase so that it wasn't expanded! 

We have also learned that we won a coveted Sons of Norway Foundation grant. It is that grant that will help us to pay for camp in Norway, a music camp, where our fiddlers will be with Norwegian kids the same age. It was work, but so worth it! 

This is a good time to say a few thank yous as well. I have had wonderful support from Arne Anderdal, and the folks at the Ole Bull Academy. Mari Eggen has helped with keeping things organized in Røros, and Frank Rolland has been exceptional not only helping with the grant, but also answering a million questions about camp. Parents have worked hard, Jim and Susanna, Alex and Sarah, Jill. What an awesome and supportive team! And it doesn't work without my partner in travel and Assistant Director, Sue Yule -- tireless, thoughtful, a good listener, and a fantastic money manager! Thank you all! And finally, thanks to all of you who gave your time, your hands, your money, your voices of support. It really does take a village! 

It is my hope that the blog will become a point of connection, a way for folks at home to see what we are doing, hear our stories, and share our experiences. We hope to post every day or two once we leave. With that, Day 44 before departure is closing. Here's to a wild adventure with Itsani, Lilah, Maren and Sue. Happy Syttende Mai! 

Martha

Director, Seattle Lilla Spelmanslag