Everything you should know about Norway (promo)

If the stone touches the wall, Ragnarok will break loose

The big stone leaning against the wall of this church comes with a frightening spell. 

King Hakon Håkonsson gave permission to build Avaldsnes church, which was completed in 1320. It was then the fourth largest in Norway and was dedicated to St. Olav and received the title of Royal Chapel of Hakon Magnusson. Avaldsnes was a center of power in the historical period and the Viking Age. 

The big bauta was one of many raised nearby. This one, called "Mary’s sewing needle" is placed very close to the church, leaning towards it. If it touches the wall, we will all die, according to the old sagas. 

The stone stands just outside the north wall of the nave. It is currently 7.2 meters high. But much of the top is removed over time.

The legend says that doomsday comes when this memorial stone touches the church wall. During centuries, the the priests at Avaldsnes, could go out in the cover of darkness and carve pieces of the top. Thus they saved the world from destruction.

One can imagine the scene with the priests, in their robes, sneaking around the corner after closing hours, climb up the stone and then cut off pieces. Anything to save the world from going under.

The stone have yet to touch the church wall. Perhaps priests today still sneak out in the night to ensure the Earth's survival?

The tale of judgement day may have roots back to the ancient Christian period before churches were built, as it was customary to devote such pagan cult places to the archangel Michael. And Michael is the archangel who will blow the souls out for doomsday and weigh who will go to heaven and who are perishing. Also Hakon Håkonsson had respect for this stone: The church wall was in fact inclined to prevent contact with the monument.

Let’s hope that the priest working in the church today will continue their predecessors and go out in the night and savie the world. 

The slave Kark who killed his master to earn money, but got a reward that really sucked

After we launched our Video “10 Viking Myths Busted”, there has been some questions about The Vikings and their slavery/trafficking. 

We did some research an found a great story about the slave Kark, who killed his master, eager for a money prize. But his reward really sucked. 

Sergey Vasilyevich Ivanov [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Vikings and the Slaves/"Treller"

The Vikings took slaves as booty and sold them to to everyone interested, across both Europe and in Arabic countries. During a period of the Viking era, the slavery business was very intense. The demand for slaves was great. As you can see, from the still image in the film, the one from Constantinople, a slave is on his knees, wearing a grotesque necklace made of a piece of wood. According to the Norwegian Wikipedia the Vikings could happily capture a monk or a soldier as a slave during a robbery. They would sell the slaves or take them as “treller” for personal use.

The slaves were mainly from Western Europe, hence many Franks, Anglo-Saxons and Celts. Many Irish and Scots was used in expeditions to populate Island. Norse also took German, Baltic, Slavic and Latin slaves.

The tale of the poor trell Kark

There is a famous slave called “Tormod Kark”, which has turned into a great tale In Snorre’s saga (and in other sagas). "Tormod Kark" killed Jarl. Haakon Sigurdsson. According to Snorre, Earl Haakon Sigurdsson had to flee from Olav Trygvasson, who was one of Norway's most important nation-builders. Together with his "faithful" servant (“trell”) Haakon fled and found shelter at the earl's great frill Tora’s farm. 

At Tora's Farm

Olav soon came to Tora’s house. Haakon and Kark had covered under the pigpen. On a stone nearby Olav made a speech, promising a reward in return for Haakon’s head. Haakon realized the reward would entice Kark to kill him. He should have said: "The two of us were born in the same night, and it will not be long between our deaths". 

Kark kills his Master, Earl Haakon

Christian Krohg [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

While Earl Haakon was sleeping, Kark nevertheless pulled a knife and killed his master. Kark cut his head off and brought it to Olav Tryggvason to claim the reward. He wasn’t rewarded at all. Instead he was taken away and got he’s own head chopped off. Olav's speech had a clear message: "There is a difference between a great man and a slave. Where would the world end if the slaves began to fail their masters?" Olav emphasized this point. Poor Kark did not get the reward a free man would have received.

Ten signs you're in Norway

Forget about Mountains, Fjords and the Midnight Sun! If going to Norway THIS is what you are most likely to see. What is the most common phenomenas in your Country?

Ten reason a funeral kills you

Is it possible to make jokes about your own fathers funeral? The questions Ronald was asked was so surreal it tends to be actually humourous. But we are quite curious to see what people think about a YouTube-video covering the dark theme "Death". What do you think?

Want to live in the spectacular Lyngen Fjord?

Now you have a unique opportunity! A house with panoramic views to the stunning Lyngen Alps. Only 4,100 euro. You get your own crystal clear spring water and own river on the property.

The dos and donts picking up a Norwegian Girl

Quite interesting - an Italian had the most to say about Norwegian women. What do you think? Norwegian girls cold hearted or is it just common sense?

Surviving Oslo on a Budget - an alternative travel guide

Yes - it is possible to to have a great experience in Oslo without getting ruined. Join Ronald on a trip around Oslo (and do not be scared to cross the river). He will take you "underground" and to shady, but cool places in Oslo. Have a look if coming to Norway. If you like this video we love you if you subscribe, share or leave a comment :)

Sex With Your Boss is a Christmas Tradition in Norway

Once a year Norwegians celebrate "Julebord". That is a party, arranged by your office. At this "party" all of our inner valhalla/Viking attributes comes to the surface. Rest of the year we try to act decent, but at "Julebord" it is total VALHALLA (Sodoma Gomorra). Have a look - and see for yourself.

Strange Tracks Found in Norway

Norwegians are screaming like The Sceam by Munch

How to pick up Norwegian girls

Girls Prefer to Suck Small Size |NORWAY

Tourists look like Refugees in Norway

Most Beautiful Girls in the World / Personality Check

Do the Norwegian girls have an Angel's mind - or are they rotten inside?

Norwegian Girls are Rated the Most Attractive in the World (due to girlsonmap.com).  Is there a Match between their Beautiful Outside and their Personality?

Ronald Sagatun from Yourway2Norway hit the streets to check the reactions with a question: "How beautiful are the girls of Norway INSIDE"?

People could score between "An angel's mind" and down to "Something's rotten inside". The intention was not to do a survey, but to capture people's reactions to the statements. Boys alone, girls with girls, relationships and so on.  Quite interesting reactions from the different segments. Happy SPRING!

***If you like the video we would love if you tipped other friends about it, as we want to reach out broad. There is also a lot of other videos on the channel. Thank you so much in advance ***

Norwegians Admits Being a Retarded Cousin - That Won the Lottery

The Swedish Movie “Underdog” Explores the Relationship between Norway and Sweden. How do People in the Streets of Oslo react when described as Retarded and Lucky in the film? Their Answers are Intriguing.

In this Funny Video, the Host Ronald conducts an Informal Market Research where 10 people has to agree or disagree with a saying from the Main Character in the film; “Norwegians are like Retarded Cousin that just won the Lottery”.
This leads to some Serious Soul Searching from the people we meet. Are we Smart or just Lucky because of the Oil? Do we totally lack Culture? Are we to High on Ourselves?

You will meet people from Sweden, Bosnia, Iceland and Norway. They all live in this Rich and - according to UN – the best Country in the World to live in.

You will also get a touch of the Norwegian Spring.

Thanks to our Participants in the Video. We are Happy that you Guys Joined us and Ensured good Content. Thanks to Heave Blood & Die for their Epic Song “Dome”. The Interesting Article from the Norwegian Newspaper www.aftenposten.no helped us a lot.

Read more about the Movie “Underdog” here; http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/underdog-svenskj-vel-gothenburg-review-775578

Movie Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTWtILWG0rc

Q&A With the Producer:
http://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/qa-ronnie-sandahl-underdog-director-on-shifting-swedennorway-relationship-1201420979/

Tourists look like Refugees in Norway

Ronald Sagatun from the "YOURWAY2NORWAY" YouTube channel took a tongue in cheek look at those foreign tourists arriving in Oslo for a Spring holiday last week! They (the tourists) got a little more than they either bargained for or were dressed for. An old Scandinavian saying springs to mind, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!"