Bergen felt completely different than Oslo and the rest of Norway (or at least the very limited parts we’ve visited). You could tell immediately it was a port town, the last bastion of civilization before open water for centuries of sailors. It was fascinating to learn its history as a German controlled harbor which brought fish and fish oil to the rest of Europe, to the early Norwegian capital, to its entryway to the interior fjords today. Bergen has lush green hills surrounding its position on the sea, charming homes dotting the hillsides in all directions, and character. You can feel the history here, the lives and endeavors of thousands of people who bartered and toiled and survived on the edge of this continent. Today’s experience served as a reminder of the progress we’ve made as a species and the beauty of our story, even the trials and tribulations.