Vegetarians

So am I in an unusual pocket of humanity or are folks turning more and more to eating a vegetarian diet?

It seems that people I know are one by one turning to a vegetarian diet or from vegetarian to vegan.

People I am meeting and getting on well with tend to be vegetarians.

glass water and beer  on a table, in the sun
Awaiting the meal

I have been a vegetarian a couple of times, once for a year, and once for 6 months.

I was for another year a raw foodie, which was mainly vegetarian.

Now though I am an omnivore again.

So what I want to know is, is this vegetarian thing becoming more normal or just a local phenomena?

The Haka

The Haka fills me with fierce pride when I see it done, and done well.

It’s not just done at the start of a rugby game by the All Blacks. And there is more than one Haka around.

But, the Haka (Ka mate, Ka mate) performed by the All Blacks is the most iconic, and while boys are often taught it at school the girls will pick up as much as they can from overhearing them being taught or seeing them practice on the playground.

 


History of the haka
History of the haka

For me, Scottish born and moving here at age 4, it is still a huge part of what I consider my culture and heritage.

Maybe it’s as the Scots and the Maori have many similarities in their culture. I think, however, it is because I have learned the songs and dances at church and at school. Because the All Blacks perform the Haka with such fervor and enthusiasm that it sweeps you up n it.

Because I have grown up in the culture and it has thereby been part of what has shaped me as an individual.

I have been to graduations where family members perform a haka as their “child” walks to receive their certificate and it fills my heart with pride and brings happy tears to my eyes.

Whatever else the haka is to anyone else in the world, the haka to me is part of my life’s blood. It is a part of who I am, and I am glad of it and glad of all of those who have kept it alive.

Welcome to my blog

Michelle and Jarle on a little boat trip in New Zealand
Michelle and Jarle on a little boat trip in New Zealand

The picture is Jarle and me on a little boat trip, in New Zealand, on a brillant holiday.

This blog contains my impressions of life in Norway since I moved here in Sept 2009; bits and peices regarding the Norwegian language as I am learning it and other odd things.

I am a New Zealander and I am here in Norway to be with my partner and soul mate, Jarle, who is a native Norwegian.