The
journey from Stockholm to Bergen was not so exciting. It was a routine flight,
which took off at 8 in the morning. We arrived in Bergen at around 9:30 am. But
we were quite hungry as we had missed our breakfast due to an early morning flight.
Already informed by our tour manager about missing the breakfast, many of us
were carrying dry snacks as a contingency measure. Some of us opted for a quick
snack and black tea at the Stockholm airport itself.
Our welcome in Bergen was quite
interesting! As soon as we got out of the airport, a rocky mountain front with
large and embossed letters ‘BERGEN?’ caught our attention. BERGEN was
understood, but the following question mark puzzled us. It was learned that the
weather in Bergen is very random. One just cannot forecast whether it would be
sunny or rainy. Generally, the entire Europe is known for its unstable climate,
but Bergen seemed quite peculiar in terms of unpredictable weather conditions. As
our puzzle of the question mark got resolved, the sun had already started
playing hide and seek through the white clouds which were lazily strolling in
the blue sky. Surrounded by mountains, Bergen is called the city of seven
mountains. It is the second-largest city in Norway. Bergen is the busiest port
in Norway in terms of both freight and passengers. Gradually growing over a
period, today, Bergen is an international centre for aquaculture, shipping and
petroleum industry. We spent some time near the market in the centre of the
city. It was similar to the fish market we visited in Helsinki. I could hear
someone playing a Hawaiian guitar. My feet just could not resist and took me to
the spot. I made a request to play me a song of his choice. To my pleasant
surprise, he played ‘Lambada’ for me. It was lovely to sit at leisure and enjoy
a vintage classic. As a token of appreciation, I paid him humbly. He thanked me
and continued playing. He played a few more popular numbers. His general getup
made me believe that he was struggling to make two ends meet. I was lost in
thoughts, as I did not expect such a scenario in one of the wealthiest and
happiest countries in the world. Incidentally, I noticed a couple of beggars in
Stockholm also. The resilience of the guitar player to survive in affluent
surroundings was laudable.
We had lunch in an Indian restaurant. Post
lunch, we boarded our coach again to have a short orientation tour on our way
to the funicular ride. Our guide for the day told us that almost 80 percent of
Bergen was destroyed in a massive fire in 1702, and what we saw that day was a
rebuilt Bergen. The buildings built after the fire used bricks and paint
instead of traditional tar or wood. The hard work put in and the patience of
the country was palpable as we moved through the city. Although we saw some high-rise
buildings, the old set-up was generally preserved. Although provided with all the
modern amenities, sincere efforts were made to maintain the vintage look, which
eventually made the set-up look classy. All of us were excited as we reached
the entry gate of the funicular ride. It was a short ride taking us to Floyen, the
top of Bergen, which was like a plateau. Though many people explored the food
outlets and shops, most of the visitors preferred to sit and relax on a platform
that was actually a set-up of long stairs. The panoramic view of Bergen was
soothing. Even from a great height and distance, Bergen looked calm and serene,
nestled in the lap of nature. The fjords narrated the tranquillity, which was
an identity of not only Bergen, but the entire Scandinavian region. I could have
sat there for any length of time, hungrily taking in the beauty and the peace.
But time was a harsh constraint that forced us to move on to our next
destination.
Overwhelmed by the prettiness of Bergen,
we proceeded to Wharf, which is a unique feature of Scandinavia. Wharf in Bryggen
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was a centre of Hanseatic commercial activities
during mediaeval times. Today it houses museums, shops, restaurants etc. Again,
Bryggen we see today is a rebuilt version of the older form that was destroyed
in fire. Typically coloured in pastel, Wharves looked charming, fascinating and
unmistakably took us into history. We spent some time near the waterfront also.
The almost still waters were comforting. Generally, every European country has
made great efforts to preserve the vintage settings and traditions in spite of
widespread devastation during world wars or by nature’s fury. Europe has certainly made
amazing progress, but has successfully preserved the historical settings as well. The efforts are not only praiseworthy and inspiring, but worth replicating too.
As the itinerary of the day came to an
end, I was lost in thoughts once again. The day was relaxed. The calming vibes
of Bergen perfectly complimented the relaxed pace of our itinerary of the day. Bergen
had fascinated me just like Helsinki and Stockholm. I sincerely wish India could follow at least a few steps taken by Europe in an honest attempt to make itself
a calm, restful and peaceful place. The struggle of the guitar player to
survive amid highly prosperous surroundings narrated the bitter truth of hard
life once again. As I said earlier, I noticed beggars in Stockholm also. Although the situation
was not as harsh as we see in India, it still pinched me to a substantial
extent. The coexistence of contrasting facets of society is indeed disturbing,
but seems a universal and inevitable phenomenon.
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