Train Trip to Oslo Part II: Oslo

Oslo has changed since I spent half a summer there in 1973 to learn Norwegian.  The "wharf" area has been totally renovated and now features restaurants and shopping malls.  The Central Train Station did not exist back then.  In 1973 Oslo did not have the large immigrant population that it now has.  There were no Burger Kings, McDonalds or T.G.I. Fridays. 



Flowers abound everywhere!




Victorian Architecture amid steel and glass



Underneath the Victoria building -- shops and this Starbuckian Coffee House



My Breakfast:  Coffe and a Cinnamon Roll 

 Is Oslo expensive?  The cup of coffee and the cinnamon roll cost 57 kroner.  At today's exchange rate it cost $10.50!  We report.  You decide.

It was a beautiful day in Oslo.  According to Google Maps it is a 1.7km, 22 minute walk from the train station to the American Embassy.  The walking route goes along Karl Johans Gate, Oslo's main street that goes past the Norwegian Parliament (Storting), the National Theater and ends at the Royal residence which is surrounded by a beautiful city park.



The Royal Residence




Fountain Near the National Theatre




Karl Johans Gate

The embassy is not far from where I ate "breakfast".  It is heavily guarded and barricaded.  When I was walking up the street (a busy thoroughfare) toward the embassy, three police cars pulled up and stopped in front of the embassy.  Then a black BMW SUV pulled up.  Suddenly there were three police officers standing guard at the closest intersections near the embassy building.  They had automatic weapons.  Their fingers were on the triggers (I'm not kidding!).  Then, from around the corner came 3 black SUVs.  The police officers stopped all traffic, including a trolley car (electric light rail train), while the embassy security opened the gate to allow the three vehicles to enter the embassy compound.  We are not in Beirut.  We are in Oslo!  It is no wonder that the US is building a new embassy outside of downtown Oslo.  It must be very disruptive to the City to have the embassy stopping traffic all day long.

I approached the visitor's gate and rang the bell.  A guard came out and asked what I needed.  I told him.  He told me I could not come in with my backpack.  He was very gracious and almost apologetic.  He suggested that I take it to t he 7-11 store about 100 meters away.  They store backpacks for 25 kroner ($4.50) and apparently do a very good business! 

So, after dropping off my backpack at the 7-11 I came back and went through security that was similar to airport security.  Once inside the consular staff were pleasant and helpful.  It only took a few minutes to get my affidavit stating I was free to marry in Norway.  It cost $50.

After the embassy appointment I walked around the park and then went back toward the train station.  The station is close to the harbor.  It was a very nice day so I decided to walk down to the harbor just to see the view. 



Sir Winston's Pub, Karl Johan's Gate




Wenche Foss, the Grand Dame of Norwegian Theater Died this year 




The Brand New Opera House on the Harbor



Strange Sculpture in the harbor and the boat to Copenhagen




Ferry Boat to Copenhagen:  Great trip by the way.




Lots of Refurbishing Going on all around Oslo.

By the time I was finished "sight-seeing" it was time for lunch.  I decided on "Indian" so I went to a very casual Indian restaurant near the train station.  The chicken tikka masala was excellent.  Lunch cost about 2.5X  what it would cost in Orange County.

After lunch I got some sun sitting on the steps of the plaza outside of the train station.  Many were doing the same.  It was fun to people watch.  The beggars (mostly East European illegal immigrants) were trying to solicit anyone who would make eye contact with them.  Advice to beggars in Norway:  Concentrate on professional single women under 30 years old.  They are the only demographic I have seen throw any money into your cups.  Advice to Norwegian parliament:  Make panhandling illegal, or regulate the panhandlers -- require beggars to get licenses.  Norway has a very generous safety net, low unemployment and great social services.  The only reason for begging in Norway is if you can't qualify for services because you are here illegally.  Just my opinion.

Next post:  The train ride home.