First let me say, everything is smaller in Norway than it is in the US. The washing machine that I have to use to wash my clothes is like a mini washing machine. The dryer - is a wire hanger on the balcony with clothespins. And the dishwasher looks to me what I would consider to be ‘normal’ until you look very closely.

Lets start with the ordeal of washing my clothes in the itty bitty teenie weenie little washing machine. I think I was able to get four pairs of pants in it, and think I still put too many clothes in it (but hey I made it fit).

One thing about being in a country where you don’t speak the language (even if EVERYONE speaks fluent English) is that all of the instructions and buttons on appliances are labeled in another language…and in my case everything is in Norwegian.

Since I cant ask the washing machine “do you speak English? Can you tell me how to work you?” this poses a big problem. And anyways, I would assume that the dials and buttons on the washing machine would look somewhat similar to what I would expect the dials on a washing machine to look like - and of course it doesn’t.

So I had to ask my friend to help me with the washing machine and he did not explain it at all. Well, I guess technically he did explain it, but I did not understand one bit of the explanation. I just know now you press something and you pull something and turn something and then it works. (Yeah right!). But I did understand ONE part of the explanation…where to put the laundry detergent. Baby steps, right?

Anyways, with some help to run the washing machine, my clothes seem very clean and smell good when they are done. But I am going to have to get used to hanging all of my clothes to dry. Man I miss having a dryer!

I have to reiterate my love of the fall weather here before I start bashing it. But the only reason for the bashing is because I have to hang my clothes dry. And since it rains at least a little bit every few days, it is inevitable that it will rain sometime during the time my clothes are hanging outside to dry. Its kind of like the rule…if you wash your car then it will rain. Its the same thing. If I wash my clothes and hang them to dry it will rain.

And you know how when you wear jeans they get stretched out? I always count on the dryer to shrink them back to the right size. So I have made it a point that I need to find a laundry mat every once in a while for the sake of having my jeans fit right. Because they are so stretched out since I don’t have a dryer to shrink them back!

Then there is the dishwasher. See, with the washer, I figure if I press enough buttons and turn a few knobs, then the washer does something (which I am just assuming that its washing my clothes, I don’t know for sure though). With the dishwasher, I know where to put the soap….I press a bunch of buttons and turn the knob and NOTHING. Every time. I cant figure the thing out. So, I have resorted to filling the dishwasher, putting the soap in and waiting till my friend comes home to turn it on. I really don’t know what is going on with that thing. I don’t have a clue how to work the special Norwegian dishwasher.

Anyways, I will keep you updated as to my competency regarding household appliances. So far, I’m not doing so great. But I will work on it.

And for any expats out there, and especially for any Americans moving to Norway, plan on getting some help with any appliances. They are not the kind of thing you can just kind of logically figure out. I promise, you will need assistance of some kind. If I did not have my friend to help me, I would definatelly be asking neighbors (even though here in Norway you don’t talk to-or even look at your neighbors…but that is a whole other post that I will talk about another time!). So for anyone moving to Norway that does not know Norwegian, beware of household appliances. Make sure you have someone to help you figure it out! And GOOD LUCK (because I still don’t know what the heck I’m doing with them, and Ive been here three weeks!).

Also, for anyone living in a foreign country, especially anyone who has moved to Norway, I would love to hear how you have dealt with these challenges. Like I said, I still need major dishwasher help! Thanks :)