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On the Train to Trondheim

On the train north to Trondheim, Norway after a great week in Oslo that went by very quickly. I had a great introduction to Norway and experienced amazing hospitality from new-found family and friends.

Saturday, Petter took me along to "a little summer party" at his friend's farm in Eina, outside of Oslo. This party was actually more of a rock festival hosted by Ronnie Le Tekrø of the Norwegian rock band TNT. His farm was home to a popular recording studio and his sommerfest with bands playing into the wee hours of the morning. While there, I competed and represented my country in the "Rock n' Roll Olympics", taking the win in the stage gear flight case race- a total test of strength, agility, and speed… My prize, a CD, and a "Tronder Mafia" t-shirt three sizes too small. I was made to model the shirt- there are pictures, may they never surface… It was a great day with great music, fun people, and beautiful weather in an amazing setting.

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Akershus Festning

Today I visited the Akershus Festning (Fortress), an Oslo icon sitting on the shore of the Oslo Fjord. The fortress dates back to medieval times, and has been in continuous use since. Within the fortress walls are several different museums and exhibits, a few I visited today.

First I visited the Armed Forces Museum, which had exhibits ranging from Viking times to current day. I went here with interest, as my great great grandfather served a career in the Norwegian military. I was hoping to visit the military library and archives to find more information about his military career, but they were closed for summer holiday.

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Nude Sculptures and Viking Ships.

I've been fortunate since I arrived in Oslo to have a wonderful tour guide. My cousin Petter took a few days off from work to show me around and take me to some great places throughout the city. He had to work today, so I set out to explore on my own.

Oslo has a great public transit system. When I arrived, Petter suggested I purchase a one week bus pass, which I did. Sound advice that has proven to have been a bargain. The bus stop is literally steps from Petter's front door, and in a few minutes ride connections can be made to other buses, trams, subways, and trains. The pass covers all of them, plus some boats and ferries.

My first stop was the Vigeland Sculpture Park. One can't be bashful about seeing nude statues here, as the place is full of them. The park features a lifetime's work of sculptor Gustav Vigeland, who- in exchange for a place to live and work, created this amazing sculpture park. The park is huge, and people use it- both visitors and locals alike. I spent a few hours at the park- part of that time waiting out a rain storm under a tree, as others were too. When the rain stopped, the sky cleared, and the sun once again came out.

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Third Day in Oslo

Visited the city again. Where we got off the bus was very close to the building that was bombed, so we were able to see and photograph it from a different perspective. Many people are out seeing the damage for themselves and paying tribute to the victims, with informal memorials all over the city with flowers, candles, and notes.

We made our way to Bygdøy, where we visited the Norsk Folkmuseum, which had an amazing collection of historical buildings. One was 12th century Stave church that was moved onto the site in the 1880's. Amazing.

The museum is a large complex, which shows what life in Norway was like through the years.

We visited the Kon-Tiki Museum, show casing "boats" and artifacts from Thor Heyerdahl's exhibitions to prove that primitive peoples could have crossed the pacific in boats they may have built. Heyerdahl was a brave man, maybe a little crazy too…

In the evening, we met Aud at The Dubliner , an Irish pub in downtown Oslo. We had a great time visiting and learning more about each other. There was a jam session in the back of the pub, which we enjoyed listening to, while sipping pints of Guiness. I was about to bust at the seams, until one of the musicians loaned me his guitar to play a tune. I can now say that I have pulled off Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" in an Irish pub.. The musicians were fantastic and very welcoming. I was particularly impressed with a young man and woman who sang amazing harmonies to wonderfully selected songs. At the end of the night, I was loaned a guitar again, and played a few more. What a great experience. Add another to the list.

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Oslo, July 25

I was excited for the opportunity to see another relative that I have been in contact with, but never actually met. While Petter and I were having lunch, he received a phone call from Aud, my third cousin, who lives in Oslo. She would like to meet us, and has invited us to join she and her friends during the walk through downtown Oslo in memory of the tragic attacks on the community last Friday.

First of all, if the news at home makes Oslo sound like a "war zone" of sorts, please don't believe it for a moment. The city is very much alive. People are out and about the city, and the streets are bustling.

We took the bus and metro (subway) downtown, both packed with people- many carrying bouquets of flowers. When we emerged from the Metro to ground level, the streets were already filled with people.

We met Aud at a cafe near where the march was set to begin. It was great to finally get to meet her, and to meet some of her friends. Very nice people.

By this time the streets were really filling, so we made our way to an area near where the march was to begin that would commence through downtown and end at Oslo Domkirken. Standing shoulder to shoulder, in the distance we could faintly hear the prime minister addressing the people of Norway and the world. Everyone was holding flowers that they held high. Word soon came that the planned march had been called off due to too many people, but the crowds marched anyway.

The streets were packed, I did my best to keep with people that I knew, and fortunately they kept track of me too.. As far as I could see in front or behind me was a sea of people. Some estimates indicate there were 150,000 people, while others closer to 200,000.

It was an absolutely amazing experience. Many that I met seemed apologetic that this incident was in some way degrading my experience of Norway. In actuality, the opportunity to share this moment with the people of Oslo is a time I will never forget.

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