Flaam continued, or, just a word about trolls...

Just a quick story about the trolls.  Our guide in Flaam pointed out the likelihood of avalanches in the area and how efforts are constantly underway to shore up the mountainside in vulnerable areas to protect the locals (and presumably the tourists) from falling victim.  But still, avalanches are pretty common and evidence of huge boulders along the road confirmed it.  She said that there are two theories about what causes the avalanches and both have to do with trolls.  

It is well known here in Norway that trolls only come out at night because if they encounter the daylight they will turn to stone.  So the first theory says that sometimes in fits of anger trolls will throw huge rocks down the mountainside to prove their power and might.  The other theory says that in their anger they often stumble into the daylight, and since that turns them into stone, it is the trolls themselves who tumble down the mountainside.  There may be a more scientific explanation for the avalanches, but I prefer either of these.

This lovely waterfall was along the Flaam railroad route.  I've forgotten the name of it but the guide told us that the legend is that nymphs from the forest sing and dance high up in the mountains along these waterfalls and lure young men into the forest to marry them.  Then, of course, the young men are never seen nor heard from again.   We should listen for the singing and watch for their dance, but watch out for our menfolk.  I missed it on the picture but there actually were young ladies dancing high up on the right hand side of the picture.  One or two of them would appear over the crest of the hill and then disappear again in an instant. They are not actually nymphs, but students from a local dancing school who earn money bewitching the tourists.