We stayed at a lake that is the property of Jorund Valebjorg. He lives in Valebjorg. He owns a lot of the seas in the Holmvatn-area and is a very very firm and gentle farmer and fisher..
Settlers came only 200 years ago to that region, and his ancestors were among the first ones. His family lives there since 1800. He carries the name of his grandfather, who was named after his grandfather. And in between is the name... uh I forgot. Anyways, there were basically two names exchanged each generation.
This man had deep eyes, he looked strong and healthy, calm and direct. His eyes were shining - and yet his soul did not seem to be too close to humans. And he said so, too. "More than two days in Oslo would be pain in the ass to him. Too much rushing around, too many people, too much cars, not enough nature. The winters up here in Fyresdal are the best. To walk around in the deep snow, enjoying the silence and listening to the wind - that is where I feel at home."
He was special, somehow. In one of our few talkings he spoke about all the stuff he did:
He worked with youths that are violent or drug-addicts. And he had imprisoned people working nearby the lakes. He said "what they really need, what they really want is that someone honestly tells them "I like you". They often had trouble in their childhood, and they strive for affection ever since". By then we realized how much he carries within the community, and that he has a lot of love to give.
In the end he drove us back to Fyresdal centre - where we could easily continue our journey towards Oslo. I asked him a question:
"What do you wish for the young people and the old ones, that come to your place, that come from cities and stay here for some time".
He waited a moment and then spoke: "That they learn to listen to nature again. That they realize that they don't need to speak all the time. To recognize again what remaining silent in a nature place can give you. People often come here and speak speak speak. And when there is no one else speaking, they want to speak again. Not to be afraid of the silence, open for what nature is like, that is what I wish for them."
Good words...
Until that moment I thought that only American Natives have this kind of view, and longing and search. Not in western parts of the world. There we go...
