Paddy's Garage

We should have methods. But when it turned out that we arrive after the first gathering, teacher said that we couldn't join the course. That's why instead of it I have ICT in Society. Actually, it wasn't a problem for me to change a subject, but quite weird was the fact, that in such a student friendly place someone doesn't accept students that arrive late. Most of us didn't know the teacher until Tereza let us know that he invites us to beer... to his garage. What? I didn't know what does it mean, until we left our dorms and took a walk in the night, accompanied by bright moonlight and the strongest aurora borealis I have ever seen... Girls led us to the back of ordinary Scandinavian house, where was entrance to garage. Just typical one where you keep a car. But when we came there, it didn't resemble an ordinary garage at all. Just take a look:

It reminded me a garage from American movies, one of these where teenagers were meeting and having parties or rock bands having their rehearsals. There was a great atmosphere, supported by music of Dropkick Murphys. The beer was made by Patrick on his own, and he gives it for free - in Norway you're not allowed to sell homemade alcohol, but obviously we left some tips.

Patrick has also a book of guests - you can write there whatever you want. We were usually thanking him for inviting us here and for tasting his beer. Can you imagine something like that? A teacher (even not yours!) heard that there are some international students from Poland and decided to invite them to his pub. You're talking with him about whatever you want, and not saying what he may expect to hear. And I'm still amazed how living here is different from that I know from my country. Of course, there are lecturers that willingly go to a pub with their students, but usually it doesn't happen at my department. You can see the distance between students and their teachers. I don't say that they are bad - usually mine are very nice and helpful, but their relations with students are boiled down to their job. Here a teacher invites you to his house, and treats you as an equal. Patrick said that it's not disrespectful that we drink beer with him and that he couldn't teach people that he doesn't know. It's something new for me. I get used to the rule, that teacher doesn't care too much, as long as you're learning systematically and do not violate his/her rules. His attitude to us and to his job is interesting. As he said - half of what he teaches is important stuff and half is a rubbish. The point is to tell you both and still make a good story! 

Patrick's production became an inspiration to guys, who decided to buy necessary equipment and make beer on their own. We'll see. Anyway, it's great when you think that you have seen everything in such a small place, and then... you discover something like that (but obviously everyone had known about it before). Nevertheless, finally we know something about methods! ;)