Hey again, people! :)
Just yesterday, I have returned from a trip to Otta, a small town of 3500 people in the mideastern part of Norway. Back when I moved to Norway from Israel (2005), I used to lived in Otta, at least for the first 4 years of my new life here, and so this being summer and having a long time off work, I decided to pay it a visit :)
I will not bore you so much with the details of my very introverted trip, I will say that I took a couple of days and spent them on the Rondane mountain cliffs all by myself, sleeping at this lovely little lodge in the mountains, and using the daytime to explore, not only nature, but also myself.
There is something special about being alone in nature, which I am sure at least some of you guys will be able to appreciate and recognize.
As for the hair front, well... almost 8 months into it, it goes pretty much anywhere it feels like blowing, and it feels kinda' good having the wind in your hair, your hair in your eyes, and peacefullness in your heart :)
Here are a few pics and a video I took from the trip, as I remember some of you guys were interested in the Scandinavian scenery :)
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And lastly, the videoclip I uploaded onto YouTube, of me enjoying the sight of the Ronande national park, after a 4 hour clim to one of the peaks in the area, around 1790m high.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXR-KrbBkHE
Hi Raul,
Thanks for posting these absolutely beautiful photos of yourself amongst the Norwegian scenery! These are breathtaking photos and I really enjoyed them! You are looking great and so is your hair! I sincerely hope you found much inner peace and truly enjoyed yourself! You deserve it!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend! I have to go to my Mother-in-law's today and visit. Please keep your beautiful hair growing and flowing!
Ted
Hi Raul,
Wow that is some outstanding scenery and looks like quite a hike too.I know someone who is an avid hiker and travels all over finding the coolest trails to traverse.Some days I wish I could just walk out of my daily life and just get a way like that myself.Life is so short and you just never know.It seems like it'll go on forever until you get a reality check.
Your hair looks great and is coming along nicely.Being you are off from work it makes it easier to just let it be wild and free!lol.Thanks for sharing your adventure with us here as its always nice to hear what the guys are up to my friend:)Cheers
Mârk
ps: I added a pic of me during a past vacation while visiting the California wine country up in Sonoma :)Very beautiful country and state.
Now THAT is what I call a decent backyard!!!
Nice one, Mark!
Damon
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I agree with Damon - beautiful backdrop and scenery - and nice shot of you, too, Mark... I enjoy seeing pictures of you guys with your beautiful long hair. I guess I've always had a thing for guys with long hair, so this is an interesting site I've found.
This photo was taken at the Artesa Winery in Sonoma.Beautiful facility like most others there.As you might have noticed my hair was not yet hennaed when this was taken so a rare lookski at what my natural color was:) Cheers
Mârk
Hmmmm. You were probably only about 60 +/- miles from me at the
time. For some reason its always interesting when a member of this
board has a near miss with my orbit. So far no celestial hair type
collisions yet.
Hi MG,
Yea at 60 miles my guess would be you were like an hour drive away I'd imagine.I visit the SF bay area a lot so during this particular trip I ventured to the beautiful wine country:)I have to admit I've met some great guys in person just because of this board.It's always a treat to finally see the guy at the other end of the keyboard.lol.Have a great weekend.Cheers
Mârk
Your hair is coming along awesomely, Raul! And let's face it, you MUST have long hair to fully enjoy that gorgeous Viking scenery. It would be criminal to hike round it in short hair! :)
Damon
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Magnificent scenery, Raul (including you) I can't get over how rugged and pure the terrain is there in Norway - breathtaking. And, you are looking great, too - although, not looking much like a Norweigian with your beautiful dark hair...
There were many times where I would be in the solitude of
a mountain enjoying the view from the mountain, the hike up the mountain, the viewing of the stars without the city lights, and the peace and quiet.
In the 70s when I was on top of that mountain my hair was
waist length, by the 80s my hair was knee length (longer than
my cut off shorts. It felt really great to be on the top of that mountain looking at all the mountains and valleys around it, having my long hair blowing in a gentle breeze, wearing cut off shorts, wearing no shirt, and having my long hair cascading down my back. And having nobody around to tell me to get a hair cut.
(I would add if you're going to climb mountains be prepared for the weather. It could be beautiful calm weather now and in one hour a storm could move in and you've got a blizzard. Google
Mt. Washington some time see how windy it can get and how cold it can get.)
I would add if you want to really view star at night you really need to see them from the top of a mountain with no city lights
to interfere.
Great pics of the scenery and your hair. I spent my 30th birthday in Stalheim, Norway. Your pics remind me why Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Raul
Thank You for that wonderful post and photos of your trip. I love your attitude of communing with nature to explore yourself.
I have been fortunate in my geology career to be able to work in remote areas around the world and have the same experience In retirement, I now work part time as a Park Ranger and get to share my love of nature with guests in the Parks.
Your hair is looking great.....remember the longhair journey is also one of self exploration.
Thanks for Sharing
WWT
Hey guys!
Answering here since I don't really have time to answer detailed and personally, sorry!
Yeah, Norway is a beautiful country, and getting "lost" in the mountains hiking is one of my greatest dirty pleasures, eventhough I consider myself mostly a "forrest lover" kinda' guy :)
As for my hair, well, it's dark cause I am not born in Norway, but rather in Romania. My family are germans/hungarians/romanians, so I've got quite a bit mixed in me... hopefully for the better, despite the moptop ;)
Here's my very first attempt at a ponytail since like waaaay back when I cut my long hair off in 2008. It's really cheating since I have had to flatten the top with gel in order to keep it stay in place, but hey, it's a start!
Thanks for the comments!
Hi Raul,
That is a very nice tail! You are definitely making great progress man! Nothing wrong with using gel to get it in the tail. One of these days soon you won't have to worry about using gel! Your hair is going to look wonderful when it's longer! Keep it growing buddy!
Very nice to hear of your diverse heritage! It definitely makes you look great in pictures-great genes you have my friend! I am still jealous of you living in Norway, though:) Have a great rest of the weekend bud!
Ted
Very cool pictures Raul. I'm jealous, as where I live it's all flat farm lands. I always enjoy going somewhere with mountains.
Great 'tail! I am unable to really do one yet...I'm regretting the back of neck trim I had done back in January!
-Tommy
Hey Raul,
Thanks for sharing those awesome photos. I totally appreciate the feeling that comes from communing in nature. I feel having long hair naturally fits in too. That's really cool that you're able to enjoy such exquisite areas.
I don't do as much hiking as I used to but I try to pick cycling routes that are as quiet as possible. This past weekend was a treat as I was in the mountains and there were huge stretches of pure natural beauty with no cars.
Congrats on the mini-tail! Each step is exciting.
Jason