Well, the thing is, the dollar was really really low when we where in the states, so we bought a LOT of stuff there. And I descided, why not buy a new bike? And after a lot of looking in bike shops and learning about what makes a good bike, I found the perfect bike in a little kona shop in Bend, OR. So, since I totally fell for the bike, I bought it. And i got it for less then half the price of the same bike in Norway. So far, no problems. Then the trouble starts, I need to get it back to norway. Well, I think, just pack it and bring it on the plane, should work. And first it seems like it does, the nice lady at portland airport tells me to pay 20$ and I will get it in Trondheim. But when we get home, no luggage and no bike.... 2 days later, our backpacks shows up, but no bike.... I call and call... nothing... But suddenly, three weeks later, the phone rings "We have a bike for you
"Jippi!!! i think, and gets really exited! But now the sad part starts... when I get the bike it has quite a lot of damage on it... After enought trips to the bike shop next door, that they know me by name, i get a paper saying the bike is damaged for 6000 NOK (which is quit a lot more than I gave for it) and I get the bike fixed up enought that I can use it which is around 1200 NOK. But the frame is still damage. And I try to get everything back on my insurance, I send in the paper that tells how much it cost to fix all the damage, and the other stuff they need (after a looooot of emails ofcourse. I think there is an upper IQ level to get employed in the insurance customer handeling departments :)
Then one day the insurance guy finally calls, saying they have looked at my case, and are gonna pay me. "Have you fixed the damage yet?" he ask. I answer honestly, only parts of it, since the rest is not so bad that you have to fix it strait away. This is where I whish I was capable of lying at least just a little bit... (but I like to think that its better to be honest than rich anyway :)
A happy Inga on a happy bike, at the Grasslands in Smith, before trouble
I would rather be less indecisive though (and less forgettful for that matter!), because that would have helped just as much. You see, when I was in the states I never managed to descide whether or not to buy trad gear. When I got home I really regreted. And then I see that there are sale on a web shop on trad gear, and Matias saies he can bring for me. But guess who is to slow to order before the sale is over?? By then I want the trad gear so much I descide to buy anyway, but when Matias is at the shop they dont have... So I order through internet. And lucky me, it arrives 2 houres after Matias leaves... So I end up buying gear when the dollar is 5.6 (it was 5 when I was there) for full price and had to get it sent to norway. But at least it seams like ill get gear! (its still not here... Still I only have the one gold cam (and my first ever) I got from Sigrid (with the note: Now you can climb Gold rush:) the rest is however reported to be on the way)
When I am in the writing mood, over to something else: The other day I bought Klatring (Norwegian climbing magazine) and what do I see? Its a big article about Smith Rock!! Awsome! They write about how cool Monkey face (which we climbed!) is, and several other climbs. (I knew that!) and they write about how you should take a rest day in Bend (According to Lonely planet, everyone wants to live in Bend! :) and that there are several cool bike shops with "cool, radical and liberal dudes and chicks" (I bought my bike there!). And they also write about how the micro brewery in Bend is something you got to go to (which we never got time to...) It so much fun to read about places you actually know! :)
I never understood why people call the free camping in Smith, the grasslands, when the real name is SO much cooler! "Where are you staying tonight?" "Skull hollow ofcourse" :)
Burritos to 13 people is quite a lot of food...
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