Backpacking through Europe in 1994

Day 74 • November 19, 1994
Arriving in Gjovik (Raufoss), norway

After the quiet, reflective days I spent in Helsinki with Siru and Annele, I was now heading even farther north — to Norway, to see Katrine.

Katrine had been one of my closest friends during my year as a Rotary exchange student in Australia. She had that rare combination of a radiant smile, an infectious laugh, and a genuinely caring heart that made people feel instantly at ease around her. We had stayed in touch over the years, and when I first wrote to her about my plans to backpack through Europe, she was one of the first to write back and invite me to stay with her — not just in Norway, but in her home, with her family.

On November 19, after a long overnight train ride from Stockholm, I finally arrived in Raufoss. When I stepped off the train and saw Katrine waiting for me, it felt like another piece of my past had come back to meet me. It had been over five years since we had last seen each other, but the moment she smiled, it was like no time had passed at all.

I was about to spend the next few days not just catching up with an old friend, but stepping into her life — meeting her husband, her mother, and her two-year-old daughter, Karoline. It was one of those rare moments on the trip where I wasn’t just traveling through a country… I was being welcomed into someone’s world.

My Photographs from today in Gjovik, Norway

DAY 74 / 11-19-94
Arriving in Gjovik (Raufoss), norway

Today has been really cool. I arrived in Oslo at 7:45 [am]. Luckily, I slept most of the night. The train to Gjovik (Raufoss) left at 9:10, so I had a little time to spare.

I called Katrine to tell her what time I’d be in, then looked around Oslo train station. It was kind of eerie, in a cool way, to know that a few months ago, Nancy & Princess Tonya* & Brent & Pat O’Brien were here in this exact same train station.

I can’t explain it, and it sounds, cheesy, but as the train pulled away & headed north, towards Lillehammer, I could feel the Olympic Spirit – what remained of it, that is.

The countryside was absolutely gorgeous. Lots of clean, white snow, pine trees, mountains, blue lakes. Just awesome, beautiful, and so was Katrine.

Katrine picked me up at the station in Raufoss at 11:00 [am]. I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but to see her again was fantastic!

She took me home, where I met her Mom and daughter, Karoline. She is the most precious little thing I’ve ever seen. After going shopping, Katrine took me to a ski jump competition in Raufoss.

That was intense. I’d never witnessed anything like it. It’s nothing like you see on TV. These guys are insane! I HAVE to try it someday. Looking down from the top of the jump, which I climbed when it was over, my respect for these athletes quadrupled.

Then we drove to Gjovik to meet her husband, Per Christian, and the house they were working on. All I have to say about him is that he is one lucky bastard.

I took a nap for a couple hours when we got home, & ate excellent home-made pizza after that. Katrine’s Dad is a great guy, and we talked a few hours after dinner.

Then Katrine took me out to a few bars in Gjovik. I was really exhausted though, so we only stayed out till 2 [am].

My ticket from Cafe Frimand, one of the clubs Katrine took me too when I arrived.

• Note from Todd in 2024

The 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer were overshadowed by a crazy story between two American figure skaters, Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding, that started out with jealous rivalry, turned violent and eventually ended up in American court.

On January 6, 1994, Nancy Kerrigan was struck on the lower right thigh, just above her knee, with a baton by assailant Shane Stant as she walked down a corridor in Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Kerrigan had been practicing skating on an ice rink in the arena shortly beforehand.

The attack was planned by Jeff Gillooly, then-husband of fellow American figure skater Tonya Harding, and his co-conspirator Shawn Eckardt. They hired Stant and his uncle Derrick Smith to carry out the attack. Gillooly and Eckardt both claimed that Harding was involved in the attack and had knowledge of it beforehand. Harding initially denied all knowledge of the attack, but soon accepted a plea agreement admitting to helping cover up the attack after the fact. Later, both a grand jury and a disciplinary panel from the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) found further evidence of Harding's involvement during the planning and execution phases.

The attack was intended to prevent Kerrigan from taking part in the ongoing 1994 United States Figure Skating Championships and the forthcoming Winter Olympics, thus increasing the prospects of Harding in both figure skating events. Kerrigan could not compete in the US Championship but recovered in time to compete in the Winter Olympics. Both women competed in the Olympics, and In ladies' singles figure skating, 16-year-old Ukrainian Oksana Baiul won gold in ladies’ singles, narrowly defeating Nancy Kerrigan, who won silver. Harding finished in eighth place.

In July 1994, Gillooly was sentenced to two years in prison after publicly apologizing to Kerrigan. Gillooly and Eckardt pleaded guilty to racketeering, while Stant and Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit second-degree assault.

Harding’s penalties included three years of probation, a $100,000 fine, and 500 hours community service. She was later banned for life from USFSA figure skating events.

Because of her tearful outburst in public, on the ice rink and in court, Harding earned the nickname Princess Tonya. Brent [Musburger] and Pat O’Brien were sports commentators who covered the Winter Olympics for American TV network NBC.

In 2017, “I, Tonya”, an American film was released, which follows the life and career of Harding.

My Mom had written me a letter for my birthday, and, not knowing where I was on my birthday, mailed it to Katrine to hold for me.

Nov 4th

T-Dogs B’thday

Dear T –

Hi guy!! How’s my boy – And especially now at 23 years old??!!! We sure are thinking of you buddy – lots!!!!

I so want to be able to call you today and wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY and WISH I could have sent this card off to you – but I don’t know which of those 8 or 10 places you are :-(

I just know you are SOMEWHERE in the Scandinavian countries. :-(

I’m sure you’d love to get a card or call from us this weekend too – but hope you know we haven’t forgotten you & REALLY FEEL BADLY that we can’t reach you today. :-(

We’re in Oklahoma City this weekend. Tracy met us here last night – UNK plays football here (tomorrow) Saturday afternoon. So this really worked out great to have her drive here this weekend instead of us going clear to Ft. Worth this fall!

It’s great seeing her again!! :-) We’re having fun shopping today. In fact – doing lots of shopping!!! Tonight we’re going out to eat with Dad’s college friend that lives here & her husband & daughter.

It’s rained all day (& last night.). Hope it’s nice tomorrow for the football game.

Sat. Nov. 5th p.m.

Back in our motel room now. Had a nice fun day. Drove over to Edmond, Oklahoma to see the campus & football field etc. before the game this afternoon & drove around town. We dropped Dad off at 12:15 (game started at 1:00) & girls & I did more shopping in Edmond for a could hours. Got to the stadium at 2:30 for halftime & start of 3rd quarter. But left again at 3:00 with Dad’s friend to go to a craft show!!!

Tams didn’t want to go and stayed with Dad (good choice!!!)

We met back at the motel at 5:00 – drove around Oklahoma city about ½ hour or so – ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Just got out of the hot tub – and now waiting to watch the movie “The Client” on T.V. None of us have seen it and all want to. Dad read the book – think Tracy did too. We plan to leave here about 9:00 tomorrow (8:30 from the hotel). Movie is about to start so I’ll finish this later.

Goodnight honey!! I hope you had a nice birthday wherever you were. I’m sure whoever you were with helped you celebrate and that it will be one birthday you’ll never forget – Right?!!!

I have given some people Jeff’s address as they wanted to send you a card -- & that was the only sure one I knew (end of Nov!!!). So you’ll get some mail there. Hope he knows by now that you’re coming -- & we didn’t ruin your surprise.

Oh – Francis rain over for a minute last week to see how you were doing & when you’d be home. He was moving his wedding date up to April (or even May) now – but wanted to make sure you’d be home by then!! God I hope so, I said!! We Miss You.

Can’t believe you’ve been there 9 full weeks on Tuesday the 8th (Election Day!!!)

Man the time sure has gone fast here. How about there?!!!

Oh - did you get the pictures you wanted yet from Skratch? He called here one night for an address for you.

Kyle and Jen have jobs in Omaha. He’s doing PR work for a sporting goods company (I think??) and Jen’s working in a bridal shop in one of the malls. We’re happy they are staying in Omaha.

All is well here – well, actually I haven’t been feeling good again. I’ve been to the gynecologist the last two weeks & had two different opinions; so I’ll go to a 3rd one next Monday a.m. (she’s a specialist – gastrologist) & see what she says. I can about guess that I won’t be having the surgery that the 1st doctor recommended.

Did you know that I was working again – 3 days a week from 8-4 at the college in the computer lab monitoring tests. Most days go really fast & I like it. I’ve been here 6 weeks now – I don’t know how much longer. But it’s nice to be working again. Just really rushed in the morning to be out the door at 8 am with Tammy. But it’s working OK.

Wed. Nov 9th

Now Wednesday a.m. I’ll definitely finish this letter this morning & get it mailed. I’m mailing things to Katrine’s in Norway to make sure you get them. Was afraid they might miss you in Finland at Annele’s.

It was great talking to you Monday am at Pernille’s friend’s house. Glad things are going well, honey & you’re having a good time. Am sure you are getting a bit restless with not working & not on any regular schedule -- & also can imagine you’re really getting tired just going from place to place & trying to keep up with each new one you stay with & their lifestyle and daily routines.

Hope it’s all a good experience as well as a LEARNING experience for you. Sounds like maybe it is. That was really good news to hear you wanted to come back to Kearney for about a year & work here! GREAT!!!

You’ll need a couple jobs for sure to start paying off your bills, etc!!! Tracy forward your Chemical credit card bill – that’s a new one?? You have 3 cards now???

Know the one (Signet I think) was MAXED at around 3 grand. OOOHHH – OUCH--!! The Chemical one was around $250 == from your stay in Dublin, your bus from Dublin to London; your stay in London; the $20 annual fee; & a couple other things.

Just one question Toddo --- how in the heck did you think TRACY was going to pay MONTH payments for 3 credit cards on the $60 you left her (oh plus a $60 Cabela’s check)?? How did ya figure???? She sure can’t do it on what she makes & pay her stuff too!!!

I also paid Skratch for your last payment of utilities and phone etc ($45). I’ll just keep track of everything and the long distance phone bills too – ugh. But know you had to do those to get in touch.

Forgot to ask you if you’d gotten to camp out yet – or use your camping gear anywhere? Imagine you’ve used your sleeping bag several times. Am sure you’re really sick of your same old clothes – I knew you would be. Are there some new clothes you’d like for Christmas – or should we wait ‘till you go through your boxes here & just plan on the plane ticket for now??

Love & Miss You LOTS

XXOO

Mom

Looking Back

This stop in Norway was one of the most meaningful parts of the entire trip.

Traveling north from Oslo toward Lillehammer, I could still feel the lingering energy of the 1994 Winter Olympics, which had taken place just eight months earlier. Even though the Games were over, there was something special in the air — the clean snow, the mountains, and the quiet pride Norwegians seemed to carry after hosting the world. When Katrine took me to watch the ski jump competition in Raufoss, I was in awe. Standing at the top of the jump afterward, looking down, gave me a whole new respect for those athletes. It was one of those moments where I felt truly lucky to be exactly where I was.

But what hit me hardest during those days was receiving my mom’s birthday letter.

While I was staying with Katrine and her family, I got word from home. My mom had written to me for my 23rd birthday, and the letter carried so much love, worry, and quiet sadness. She didn’t know exactly where I was. She was dealing with her own health concerns. She was missing me. And even though she tried to sound upbeat, I could feel how much it was weighing on her that I was still gone. Reading that letter while sitting in Katrine’s home, surrounded by warmth and family, made me feel both grateful and guilty at the same time.

It was a powerful reminder that while I was out here chasing freedom and healing, the people who loved me most were still carrying the weight of my absence.

Despite that emotional tug, my time with Katrine was beautiful. She had been one of my closest friends in Australia, and being welcomed into her home, meeting her husband, her mother, and her little daughter Karoline felt incredibly special. We picked up right where we left off, like the years apart hadn’t happened.

What makes this chapter even more meaningful is that Katrine and I are still close friends today, more than thirty years later. We talk regularly, and our whole exchange student group still gets together on Zoom. Those friendships formed in 1988 and 1989 have proven to be some of the most enduring relationships of my life.

Norway gave me both the lingering spirit of the Olympics and a much-needed dose of family and friendship — right when I needed it most.

Next Page >

< Previous Page

- Table of Contents -