Last Sunday in Kristiansand: rain, boats, and goodbyes

I woke up to the gentle patter of rain against my window this morning. The sky over Kristiansand is overcast, with that particular shade of gray that seems to blend with the sea on the horizon. According to my weather app, we're looking at 19°C today with light rain - pretty typical for late August here.

With only two days left before my flight to Amsterdam, I'm feeling a strange mix of emotions. Part of me wants to just fast-forward to Tuesday morning, while another part wants to savor these final moments in familiar surroundings.

I decided to make the most of my last Sunday by heading to the Odderøya Museum Harbour for the annual Vintage Plastic Boat Regatta. I arrived at 10:50 for the 11:00 start (some habits never change), which gave me time to walk around and admire the vessels before the crowds arrived.

There's something wonderfully nostalgic about these old plastic boats - relics from the 60s and 70s that have somehow survived decades of Norwegian winters. I spent a good hour watching the owners proudly showing off their restored treasures, competing for titles like "best original boat" and "best restoration." It reminded me of how my grandfather used to take me fishing in his old plastic boat when I was young.

The rain let up briefly around noon, creating that beautiful post-rain light that photographers love. I walked along the harbor, taking mental snapshots of my hometown. It's funny how you notice details when you're about to leave - the particular sound of the boats knocking against the docks, the specific smell of salt and seaweed that's unique to Kristiansand's harbor.

I ran into my colleague Lars from the hospital IT department, who was there with his family. We chatted about my upcoming journey, and he jokingly asked if I'd be available for remote tech support when the new system inevitably crashes. I laughed and reminded him that part of this journey is disconnecting from those responsibilities. Though honestly, I'll probably still check my email occasionally. Old habits.

After the regatta, I walked through town in the light rain, stopping at my favorite café for lunch. The place was packed with Sunday visitors seeking shelter from the weather. I found a small table in the corner and spent some time people-watching while enjoying a bowl of fish soup.

The forecast shows rain for the next several days - including Tuesday when I leave. Part of me hopes for sunshine on my departure day, but there's also something fitting about leaving Norway in the rain. It matches the slightly melancholy feeling of goodbyes.

Back home now, I've been going through my packing one more time. I've removed another shirt and added a lightweight rain jacket instead - a last-minute decision after today's weather reminder. The backpack is still too heavy, but I'm getting closer to a manageable weight.

Tomorrow is my last full day in Kristiansand. I plan to visit my mother in the morning, handle some last-minute paperwork at the bank, and perhaps take a final walk around the city center. The countdown feels very real now - 48 hours until takeoff.

I keep reminding myself that this journey isn't about running away from anything, but rather running toward something. Toward growth, toward new perspectives, toward whatever lessons are waiting for me out there in the world.

495 days to go. The adventure is about to begin.