Bergen’s a Blur: Rain, Reindeer, and Really Weird Coffee
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm instant coffee at this point. i landed in bergen yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a lot. like, a beautiful, drizzly, slightly unsettling lot. the air smells like saltwater and something vaguely mossy, which is… interesting. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the pressure’s holding steady at 1018, which is nice, and the humidity’s at 35 - feels like stepping into a permanent, slightly damp hug.
my mission? to find the perfect reindeer coffee. i know, i know, sounds insane. but i’ve been chasing this mythical brew for months - apparently, a tiny, family-run place called ‘Gamle Brygg’ has a blend that tastes like melted caramel and regret. i’m not kidding. i spent three hours wandering the Bryggen wharf, dodging tourists and trying to decipher the local dialect (it’s like Norwegian mixed with a dash of seafaring grumbling).
found it. finally. it was… intense. tasted like someone had aged a hazelnut in a fjord. i’m not sure i’d order it again, but the experience was worth it. i overheard a group of students - probably from the university - saying someone told them that the best place for real Norwegian food is down by the fish market. i’m skeptical, but i’m checking out Yelp later.
gear list, because i’m a professional disaster: waterproof everything (seriously, everything), a ridiculously oversized raincoat (it’s a bergen staple), a portable charger (my phone is perpetually dying), and a notebook full of scribbled observations and half-formed ideas. i also brought my sketchbook - i’m trying to capture the vibe of the city, but it’s proving difficult when i’m constantly battling the rain.
i stumbled across a street artist painting murals on some of the older buildings - really cool stuff, lots of abstract shapes and swirling colors. he was wearing a bright orange beanie and looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. he just muttered something about ‘the ghosts of the harbor’ and then went back to work.
speaking of ghosts, i’m a bit of a history nerd, so i spent a few hours at the Hanseatic Museum. it’s fascinating - the city was a major trading hub back in the day, and you can really feel the weight of that history. i heard that the museum’s curator is obsessed with finding a lost ledger detailing a particularly scandalous trade deal. wild.
if you’re planning a trip, i’d recommend checking out the Fløibanen funicular - it takes you up to Mount Fløyen for incredible views of the city. it’s a bit touristy, but the panorama is worth it. also, don’t miss the Troldhaugen - Edvard Grieg’s home. it’s surprisingly cozy.
i’m thinking of heading south to Stavanger tomorrow. someone told me that the fjords there are even more dramatic. if you’re looking for more info, TripAdvisor has some decent guides.
seriously, if you get bored, Oslo is just a short drive away.
and one last thing: the coffee. it’s… an experience.
check out this local board for events: https://www.visitbergen.com/events
and for more on the city: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g298591-Bergen_Vestlandet-Vacations.html
and if you're looking for a good place to eat, Yelp is your friend: https://www.yelp.com/directory/Bergen-Norway