Hello Norway

Well, the reason I travel is to learn. And one misnomer.... Norway has a lot of cultures here!

They are also huge on public transportation and being eco-friendly.

Lots of pedestrians and bicyclists, even in the snow!

As a ped, they really follow the rules: no j-walking and obey the pedestrian red lights.

I got maybe 1 hour of sleep on the 2nd flight so I'm still 48 hours sleep deprived. When I arrived at Oslo airport, it was similar to Schiphol in Amsterdam in the layout and overall appearance- the Flytoget train was easy to find via signage, easy to pay and easy to board. Took about 20 mins to get to the first stop which was the Central station: my stop! Opened up google maps and arrived at my hotel within a few mins.

It's definitely a little brisk outside. My ski coat makes me impenetrable to the wind and cold so I was super comfortable in just sweats and a thin long sleeved shirt in the 30 degree weather. But.... I was also coming out of a warm environment and walking with a purpose.

Fashion here is identical to winter weather back home (ie. New England) so some wear nice peacoats with jeans; some wear tights and uggs.

Dropped off my luggage at Bjorvika apts for which my room was not yet ready and walked through downtown to the first market on my list: Youngstorget.

It was about a 15 min walk when I arrived at my destination and..... nothing. There wasn't anything there!

I swore it was opened daily but clearly I was incorrect. Even ChatGPT said it should be sprawling with stalls.

So onto the next: Jul it Vinterland. Another 15min walk but enjoyable.

On the way, I passed by several urban stores and fancy restaurants. Lights up everywhere.

So Jul is supposed to be the largest market in the city- but I went thru that place in 20 mins! I mean, there is a carousel, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and a VR sleigh ride, but only about 15 stalls today were opened. Now, the stalls were interesting, I won't lie. Not typical junky souvenir stalls but things for locals to buy and enjoy: leather and wool gloves, hats, glass blown ornaments, glogg (known as mulled wine and no, it is actually not alcoholic), sweet treats (variety of candied apples) and dried meat.

By the way, Jul simply means MERRY CHRISTMAS, or just CHRISTMAS

I ended my 15 min visit to this market at a stall who asked for me to try their products. I said yes! And so there I was, in the middle of Oslo, sampling reindeer, moose and .... whale (he surprised me on that one later)!

Pretty good though.

BUT I am glad I did not fall for the shoppers trick. WHALE IS ILLEGAL IN THE STATES. If you bring it back, you are going to get into a lot of trouble!!!!!!

Now, onto dinner. I had set myself up for mid-range budget local cuisines and had Kaffistova on my list. Well, it was not what I intended- thanks Chat GPT for messing that one up. Little upscale and fancy, nothing on the menu caught my eye but I saw Lute fish on there and remembered that was a local must-try dish. Apparently there are not a lot of custom dishes in Norway. But anyways, I completely threw out the fact that I don't like cod and it's a $50 plate, I go and order it with the pea pate. Ugh. I was so unhappy. The flavors were great but that cod is nasty.

I took home more than 1/2 of it so I could at least give it to a homeless person (who declined it btw). Instead of ordering dessert, I took my L and headed to my first speakeasy: Svanen.

What an impressive cocktail! I don't like oat milk or coconut and couldn't taste a thing. It was some tea concoction that was clear as ice and went down so smooth as if it was void of alcohol! I gotta come back! Once I finished, it was getting a little crowded in there and I tipped the recommended 5% and took the 10 min walk back to get my luggage: Well, at least I thought I was going to the correct place. Nope-I ended up another 10min off course since the office is not where the apt is. Once l realized I was way off course, I took the 15min walk over the bridge to the office to just return to the previous area carrying this luggage. The office and GPS weren't great directions for the alley-side inconspicuous door so here I'm in the dark as it's hailing now and I'm trying to find my way in a new city in the dark with hardly any folk walking around. GREAT!

Fly to get one-way: 240 NOK

Kaffistova:

Lute fisk w/ pea puree& bacon-295 NOK

Svanen: Stolen Apples 195N ok 515

Fly to get one-way: 240 NOK

Kaffistova:

Lute fish w/ pea puree & bacon- 295 NOK

Svanen: Stolen Apples 195 NOK