We arrive in Oslo and take a taxi to the hotel. On the ride I get to talk with Johnny a bit more. I learn that Johnny is a 2010 Stanford graduate who went on to get his masters from Stanford in 2011. He’s currently getting his doctorate from the University of Miami in environmental science/policy, and was encouraged to get his JD (law degree), so he’s doing that too and just finished his 2L year. He’ll certainly be strong competition. It seems like he’s pretty good with languages as well.
We have a nice Norwegian lunch featuring brunost which is delicious brown cheese! I’ve grown up having gjetost during the holidays which I also love! Joni and I go for a nice walk around the neighborhood, which was great. Joni is a super positive girl, who’s also very down to earth, and very appreciative – qualities you want in a friend, and someone could spend up to 10 weeks with.
Next we get to meet one on one with a psychologist who specializes in reality TV. Frankly it’s a pretty cool idea. As a part of the show, we meet both before filming, and then after our time on the show comes to an end. They’re there for us if we have any questions, and can help folks who might have trouble dealing with the massive swings between the highs and the lows associated with competing on a TV show. Luckily, as I had anticipated, they discuss how compared to other reality TV shows we may have seen, Alt For Norge is a good natured family oriented show. It’s not conflict based, and not exploitative, but rather a way to show off the beauty of Norway to Norwegians through the virginal eyes of someone who’s never been there before. I’m happy to be that someone!
Next up it’s time to get fitted for apparel, AKA Christmas in April. Waiting for us is a huge bag of Jack Wolfskin apparel, including but not limited to:
- 4 pairs of wools socks
- 1 hat
- 1 waterbottle
- 1 pair of gloves
- 1 pair of long underwear (top and bottom)
- 2 pairs of long sleeve shirts (1 wool, 1 polyester)
- 2 sweaters (1 wool, 1 polar fleece)
- 2 down jackets (1 lightweight, 1 heavy duty)
- 2 rain jackets (1 shell, 1 slightly warmer)
- 2 rain pants (1 polyamid shell, 1 more of a snow pant)
- 2 pairs of shoes (1 multipurpose outdoor, 1 killer lightweight hiking boot)
- 1 pair of rainboots
At this point we were all incredibly exhausted from a second red eye flight in 3 days so we napped in the common room, before eventually getting ready for dinner (delicious moose burgers). I went back to my room, and am just now catching up on my journal. Tomorrow it’s press and promo day, we leave at 5:30 AM so I need to get some sleep!
Lars Phillips 