Oslo, home is where my heart is!

One of the countries in the world that has impressed me most is Norway. I have met nice people and learned much about other cultures on my travels all around the world, but when it comes to my own country, hometown and people that have touched me most it is definetely Norway, Oslo and the citizens of Norway.

After having lived abroad for many years, we are longing back. The people in Norway are so easy to get along with, so you will feel welcome wherever you go. Norwegians view themselves as egalitarian people with a culture based on democratic principles of respect and interdependence. They are quite informal, and tend to treat people equally; they like people for who they are, and find it is less important what others do for a living, their professional accomplishments or income.

Norwegians are also modest about their own achievements. They have simple tastes and are not prone to ostentation or excessive showiness. (But there will always be some exceptions!). They take pride in being honest and sincere in their personal relationships.

Norwegians shake hands firmly with direct eye contact. With friends and family members they usually embrace each other. Norwegians tend to communicate with each other on one arms length. Business meetings are formal. Professional titles are used followed by their surnames; Dr Lie, Professor Haug. Therefore, you ought to address people with Mr/Mrs/Ms followed by their surname. Among colleagues is the use of first names more common.

The tourist attractions of the capital, Oslo, are many. Oslo is sourrounded by mountains and forests, and for Norwegians „who are born with skies on their feet“ are these recreation areas very popular for ski trekking and alpine tours during the long wintertime that they experience up there in the cold north, and for recreation and leisure; trekking, biking, swimming, fishing, the rest of the year. Small charming cottages in these forrest welcome the trekkers indoors to homemade food and some of them offer also accomodation.

Plan your visit to Oslo in details before you start your adventure there, because there are many interesting places to visit. A walk through Oslo by foot, by the city tram and by ferry in Oslofjord from sight to sight is what I will recommend.

Akerhus Festning (Akershus Castle)
The castle has protected the city since year 1309, and has since then been the site for many historical events in the history of Norway. The castle has been used as fort, castle, prison and stockhouse, while it today operates as museum and by the Norwegian Royal Family as one of their reception venues.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akershus_Fortress

Middelage Oslo Sørenga – Hovedøya
The Ruinpark in Oslo Sørenga, where you can imagine where and how Oslo was established in the middleage, perhaps you can even imagine smells and tastes if you let your fantasy run. From The Ruin Park you can walk down to the harbour, Vippetangen, and take the ferry over to the small island Hovedøya for seeing the ruins of the large Cistercienser-kloster that was build there in year 1147.

Hovedøya
The ferry takes only 5 minutes across the bay, and it leads you directly into Oslo in the Middle-age. When walking through the the old Cistercienser- kloster, you will be shown around by the local guide. There are still herbs and flowers to be found growing around the kloster which the munks brought with them to Norway 900 years ago.

Town Hall of Oslo
From the ferry that will bring you back to Vippetangen to the monumental Town Hall is a 5 minutes walk. The massive four-squared building, built of concrete faced with bricks, has 2 towers where one of them to the east contains a carillon of 38 bells. The facade is decorated with sculptures and reliefs, and the interior has rich fresco decorations by the famous Norwegian artists Edvard Munch, Per Krogh and Henriks Sørensen. Town Hall is located in the part of the bay that is called Pipervika, and to its west side lies Aker Brygge, only a couple of minutes walk away.

Old West Station
On the way to Aker Brygge you will pass the old West Station (railway) where the Norwegian Information Center was established in 1991.

Aker Brygge
This part of the harbour which earlier was the former Aker Shipyard (restored) is today a popular shopping and cultural center with numerous pubs, bars and restaurants, the latter offering Norwegian and international cuisine. What I would recommend, is lunch or dinner at the Norwegian fish restaurant at the end of the Aker Brygge promenad – they serve some really delicious fish dishes there.

You have already made a long walk through Oslo today and feel a bit sleepy after the delicious fish meal, so let us take the rest of the day off and simply relax.

Tomorrow is a new day for your adventures in Oslo, and I will tell you all about it in my next forum post where I will guide you to The National Theatre, The Parliament, National Gallery, The Royal Palace, Nobel Institute and through the beautiful Vigeland Park (Frognerparken) on Oslo' west side.