#i'd like to state for the record that i have harbored a bit of a lifelong bird fear and so i find the augie thing especially great/awful

[dollsome-does-tumblr]

augie being evil is hilarious and awesome actually because in every scenario where he’s even slightly upset, i get to imagine him summoning all the birds in the surrounding area and creating scenes of horrific carnage and avian violence

it’s just so delightfully silly to me

[kazlifeadventures]

Hei, Oslo hva skjer?

5 Jan 2019 - 7th Jan 2019.

Welcome to the 80s... that's what the guy at the taco place said to me when I was surprised at the process for eftpos. No big hair or shoulder pads, but according to him, they're  a bit slower at catching up to the world here... can't say its noticeable, just a few things are different, but not in a bad way.

I came here with half a plan of what to do, was then hit by an almost crippling melancholy the second day (6th jan). It took all my  energy to make myself move, get dressed and go out into the world. I was sad. So sad. Unable to pinpoint the source of it (I think it is one of those multiple sources all combining on the one day things), I figured it would pass eventually, that and if I could sleep it would help immensely.

So I went to try and locate help with booking 'Norway in a nutshell' so that I'd at least have my next few days planned. I'd been having trouble getting it to work online and in my current state recognised I needed help to organise anything!. But it was Sunday. Apparently the information centre can't sell or help with that anymore. The NSB trains aren't allowed to sell it anymore,  but I could call someone...if they were open on a Sunday, but no one could tell me anything.. so I decided that I'd sort my own trains etc, but later that day .as I wasn't functioning too well at present and I know that it would end badly if I tried to make decisions. I decided to be kind to myself, and just stay in Oslo another night and take the pressure of myself and allow the time to work out what to do. Fyi 'Norway in a nutshell' has to be booked 2 days in advance, hence my need for an extra night.

Instead I decided a walk was in order, slowly, as I had also realised my foot and knee were actually really sore and weren't just going to go away...This post even sounds sad and defeatist...buck up Kaz!

I ended up down at the bay (funny - Water is my calming, I will always turn to water, the beach, etc when emotionally challenged),  locating the beautiful opera house, designed to look like an iceberg rising up out of the harbor, you can even walk up on its roof for beautiful views!  It was then I happened upon the 'Vision of the fjords'. A beautiful boat built wholly in Norway and operating since 2016.  They were due to head out to the fjords of Oslo in 15 mins so I jumped on board, paid, settled back to at least kill a couple of hours. I will freely admit I had forgotten what a Fjord is (sorry to all my teachers..),  and ended up googling it as I would have just said I went on a harbour cruise! Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier. Norway's coastline is pretty much covered in Fjords... Anywho. It was beautiful to be on the water, cold (ish), the commentary was wonderfully informative and I got a real feel for the city of Oslo. The area bustles in summer, so I'm really glad I'm here now, crowds sometimes detract from some of the gems you can find in a city! Oslo gets alot of Cruise ships as it has a big port, able to cope with the extra ships. Summer is a busy time here, with lots of swimming and whole islands in the bay area that have summer houses awaiting the influx of tourists and locals alike.

There was a modern art display called "SALT" running on the dock area. I'm never 100 per cent on board with all the 'modern art', but there was a cool musical introduction area that had a guy who made music using everyday noises  set to a clip of him recording them combined with people dancing etc. It was really cool and I found it mesmerizing to watch and listen to. I discovered, Vippa - a hall full of international food trucks also right on the docks area.

What I have learnt that I didnt know, is Norway gets to host the Nobel peace prize ceremony every year since 1901. Alfred Nobel, a Swedish industrialiast inventor and armaments manufacturer established by will, the five Nobel Prizes. Along with the peace prize, there are also prizes in Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine and Literature. The other awards seem to be determined and awarded in Sweden as per his wishes. There are committees that decide the winners according to guidelines  set out in his will. It's an interesting part of history, so look it up! Dinner was at something called Max Burger, a Swedish burger chain that started before the golden arches. Was fun ordering in partial Norwegian...tasty enough, but left the feeling all of those takeaway burger places leave. Maybe its the meat they use? I also managed to book my Norway in nutshell trip, so finally got something happening! Got inspired and planned my next week or so, and booked it all for Sweden..winning end to the day!

The next day I was in a much better state of mind. I checked out of my room and back into another one. Long story, but when I first checked in I had been upgraded (check another one for blonde hair and a big smile..), and the extra night I booked was for a cheaper room, so I had to check out, leave my bag and wander the streets for a few hours then check back in..(maybe thats the 80s slow to catch up bit?) The time to kill meant I headed off to the medieval (1299), Akershus fortress and castle situated overlooking the docks high on a hill. The Castle is apparently the home of the current president of Norway, but the public are still allowed to walk the grounds. I did discover they have guards in ornamental costume doing random patrols in the grounds (pretty sure the guns were real!) I'm still in awe that they can march around at such a brisk pace without slipping over on the ice! I struggle at snails pace on icy footpaths!

I also went and checked out the Rådhus (city hall). Constructed between 1931 and 1950 (due to interuption from WWII), It is an amazing building and where the Nobel peace prize ceremony is held each year (amongst other functions, the venue is amazing..) I managed to find an awesome coffee place to sit an chill for a while out of the cold.

Oslo is a very easy place to navigate, and I have enjoyed my time here. It's not bells and whistles, but its calm and solid. The Norwegians are predominately not big fans of eye contact and extended interactions, they take a little longer to crack. They are warm, and friendly in their own way, and intensely proud of their country. More to see and do, as I'm off on my trains, boats, buses adventure from here to Bergen and back again...

As usual more to come!

PS steps are still up there most days hitting average 13-15000...