It started with the book “Norwegen der Länge nach” from Simon Michalowicz book. Im not sure if my wife was considering potential side effects when presenting it for my birthday.
We had an excellent time during our summer vacation in Norway. For four days we walked across western Hardangervidda, slept in the tent, swum in many of lakes just to cool down during this hot summer, even far north from home. On the way could spend some marvelous days in Flekkefjord at the house of my grandmothers au-pair and her husband.
Returning from Norway, my wife and I decided to finally learn Norwegian. You just get more involved in the country’s culture and habits if you can understand and express yourself a little bit. This especially is true in situations where you are in touch with several local people chatting. This wasn’t a new insight. You just become aware of it again once you travel to a country where you don’t master the local language.
The idea kept spinning in my brain. Towards the year end I finally joined a presentation of the author. Now it was clear: I’ll do that once, too.