But let's start from the beginning. I left on Monday and was planning on spending the next 4 days in Oslo alone (which was totally fine-I'm an independent woman, I do what I want), but my friend Alise decided she wanted to come literally hours before I was leaving for the airport! So, that was great! After discovering where my hostel was located, I was glad I didn't have to walk there alone. But we will get to that later.
After arriving in Oslo, Alise and I wanted to have a good dinner, and she knew of a place that served traditional Norwegian food. As long as it wasn't lutefisk, I was interested. I ordered the traditional beef stew/soup/random brown stuff with flat bread.
It tasted a lot better than it looked, I promise!!
After dinner, we walked to our hostel. Oh, Anker Hostel. What fond memories I will have of that place. Except not really. When booking my hostel, I looked for the aboslute cheapest place I could find. It looked nice on the website, but what I didn't know was that it was in the ghetto. Let's just say I was very glad I was wearing my money belt under three shirts and my pants on our walk over there. I was glad to have Alise there with me, not that she could defend me or anything but I think two backpackers looked less vulnerable than a blonde one walking alone completely lost at 10:00 PM. Mom, I didn't tell you about all of this-but don't worry, I'm fine. ANYWAY, we went to sleep that night in a somehwat dirty bed shared with 6 other girls (don't even get me started on those crazies) and woke up bright and early the next morning to do some sightseeing!
We started at the one and only "Viking Ship Museum". The last time I was at this museum was when I was 10 years old, so it brought back great memories of my first time in Norway with my sister, Britt, my Mom and my Grandparents.
Then, we made our way to the Norskefolkemuseum. Unlike most museums, this particular one is an "open air museum". In other words, most of the exhibits are outside. It is set up like a village and people usually make there way through different periods of Norway's history. We went through many different buildings: churches, schools, tipis...However, it was a challenge seeing everything when it was FREEZING outside! Usually people go in the summer and partake in a lot of traditional Norwegian activities. As a result, nobody was there when we went to visit. We made our way around trying to navigate our way through the whole place. I'm hoping to go back in May, but it was still great to be back!
Then it was off to Vigeland Park! 10 years ago, I came to this place and was disgusted because all the statues were naked. My Mom basically had to physically force me to get close to one for a picture because I was so uncomfortable. Still not a big fan of nudity these days, but I can handle statues so I was able to take a lot of pictures. I was definitely able to appreciate the beauty of all the sculptures this time! I won't try to describe them as the pictures will speak for themselves.
By this time, both Alise and I thought our toes were going to fall off so we stopped for coffee/lunch in a little cafe. We used our charm to make the barista let us eat our packed lunch in the restaurant. He even gave us free ice cream for dessert! SCORE! We left him a note of thanks using all the Norwegian phrases we knew by heart.
Then, we went to the National Art Gallery which housed the famous painting by Edvard Munch "The Scream". It was cool to see, but after the whole day I was very very tired. Alise and I decided to go back to our hostel for a nap, and then went out for dinner. It cost me an arm and a leg, but it was the first time I had been out for dinner since I arrived in Norway, so I felt it was justified.
Wednesday was filled with less sightseeing and more shopping. I waited and waited and waited but found the PERFECT pair of shoes for $6 so...I was pretty stoked. Then, the big event for the night was OSLO FASHION WEEK!
Alise and I got ready in our hostel and tried to prepare ourselves for the cold weather. Wearing tights and high heels during the winter=NOT A GOOD IDEA, but it was totally worth it.
Before my cousin, Siv Elise's show we were going to see another designer's show: Nina Jarebrink. Long story short, our invitation didn't work so we had to wait with the rest of the people who wanted to get in. I was basically in a mosh pit for a half an hour except there wasn't any music which made it not so fun. BUT, we made it in and randomly ended up getting FANTASTIC seats! Here's a little taste of the event!
After that fashion show, we had to wait an hour until Siv Elise's show, so I had an apple martini which was wonderful. It cost me over $10, but it was my first drink of alcohol since I've been here as well so...again, I felt justified.
Then, I was able to catch Siv Elise just before the show and it was crazy because I hadn't seen her in 10 years! We caught up quickly and then it was time for the big show!!
The show was great. We had front row seats and although I looked like a tool videotaping...it was awesome.
The next day we woke up at 6:30 to go home on the train. It was a little bit of a gong show because I was in a compartment with four kids who kept listening and singing along with Shakira, but I got some great pictures!
Needless to say, Oslo was an adventure! It was great to get away for awhile and see some new things, but I'm happy to be back in Bergen! Today I went for a beautiful walk with Michael and Simone and the sun was shining! Of course I forgot my camera, but I will be going back again and will definitely remember it!
Sending love, hugs and smiles to you all!
Fashion people look so angry haha. Looks like you had fun. Can't wait to explore Oslo with you. You and that naked angry baby look a lot alike. Miss you!
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