Folk Museum!

Ok, lots of pics in this one. I'm still compiling all the photos from my last four day venture. God damn I love my K800 phone.

This is the entrance to the inside part of the folk museum. The outside stretches the area bigger than liverpoool city centre!

It had all sorts of news paper clippings, items and general stuff taking us back through the last few decades. Strangely, along side things such as Aha's big break into Brit pop, sat news on the Falklands war. Our countries certainly take an interest in each other.
Still, it was awesome to see an example of my old Commodore 64, the Xwing fighter from the eighties and duck hunt for the Nes. How much we take for granted.


I'm a city boy apparently, as told to me by a young lad called Nicky. I saw the ants below and freaked. Well not freaked but got a bit shocked. Let me make this clear. The average Norwegian ant is about three times the size of our smaller British cousin. It has a bright red back (fire ants anyone?) and are those ones that build giant mounds against trees.

Can you see them?


Here are some of the older buildings that were either built on site or actually transported from their original homes. You see the Norse peoples kept there old homes in such good nick the didn't need to make recreations at all. Kind of puts McDonalds' pre-fab buildings to shame really considering.



Ok. I found my natural talent in this one. Turns out I have a pretty good sense of balance as I discovered when I tried my luck on these stilts.
Maybe I should get some?

In the building below they had some kind of flat lommerbrod (sp?), which was made using the traditional style using a fire, hot rock, two wooden knives the size of my arms and a lot of flour. Slightly sweet and disturbingly addictive.
Recommened.



Quick quiz. Can anyone guess what this is? Beautifully modeled by Ingrid. :)
Answer in the next post.

Tea! I need my cup of tea! (Trans: Jeg trenger kopp ta! Well I think thats right..)

On this day, I was invited to meet up with Ingrid's mother and aunt in Oslo itself. They took me to a fantastic tea and cake kinda place in a square called Wessel's plass. I forget the name of the place but as it was described to me as formerly very high class, but now enjoyed by many.

After that I went about town.

Seriously though, check out the Marzipan cake below.
Shiz!







Awwwwww.........













Can you see the family resemblance?
I think its in the smile :)









Ahh the famous Norwegian Kaldtbord, open sandwiches for us brits. The idea is probably enjoyed by many lazy folk around the world, but this my friends is an art form.

















Oslo was described by some old writer (who actually hated the place) as a city of tigers. He was in-fact commenting on the cities previous reputation for vice and how it would leave a dirty mark on your soul.
Don't know what that guy was smoking frankly, but hey, that was written back in the 19th century. Heh, its the first place I've been in where the locals could say "things arn't what they used to be" in a positive spin!

Love you Liverpool ;)

Hell I've always found Oslo a super "common sense" place decorated with dozens of funky alternative stores, traditional and historical sites and a sense of identity that knows who it is and is damn comfertable with it.

Ironically, some arty kids thought it would be well, ironic, if they planted a giant bronze tiger in-front of the main railway station.
Some don't agree that this is smart or even funny.
What do you think?
And what would Liverpool's patron animal be? And dont say the liverbird, please!






Good kitty...










See that Balloon below? That's advertising, Norwegian style.
I think the next one advertised wonder bra (I wish...)

Botanical madness!

Ahh, plants and trees. Everything I have been avoiding in my life. Yet... the botanical garden in Toyen was beautiful. Six years ago I would have been racing around trying to drag my parents away so I could go and play crazy golf or something bright and flashy.

Still, I'm sure you will agree, it aint bad for the middle of May. 15 degrees sun, cool breeze, sushi outdoors and discovering a type of bird you had never seen or heard of before. I know, but the notion just never struck me really. Did you know their crows have white bits?

Veldi Gal!

:)

The preliminary go-over (PICS!)

Here are some pics from my most recent visit and my last "visit" before moving over and beginning the painful process!
Ahem.


These fist pics were all taken on the coach from Torp Airport. 15 Degrees in the sun, it was the first time I had seen Norway's countryside at daytime.

Ok, now where was I?

I've finished copying the diary enteries I put on facebook during my few stays over in Oslo. I took the time to go through all the fantastic support and interest I had from that too. Makes me feel awesome inside.

Truly though, putting the notion that I'm some sort of "Forlorn hope" or something, I do hope other people give this a go. Especially while they can. Whats the worst that can happen? Excluding rampant badgers etc. Thats just stupid.

Seriously though, thanks to all who gave me that boost of confidence!
Hope I continue to provide some sort of entertainment.

Rik

Taste of Norway part five (As taken from Facebook)

Hi guys,

I had a very strange and wonderful evening last night. I was lucky enough to be invited to Ingrid's brothers birthday party (he's 30 now poor soul), which turned out to be very enlightening. Imagine it. 15 people, friends and close family, each one knows at least two languages. Three of them know around five. Here I was with my two: English and baaaad English.
Thankfully they didnt always speak in English for me. Why am I being thankful? Simply this, I want to learn. It can be done, but the trouble for us English speaking folk lies in the fact that most Europeon countries teach English as a second language and do it properly!
I'm glad they were reluctant to dum it all down for me, not because I was a guest but because I should know another language. I shouldn't simply sit down and say 'well they know English so I don't need to bother.' I had a fantastic conversation with three individuals: Nico, a Haitian who learnt English to speak to his now wife, who knows french, creol and Norwegian. Sigsbjeorn (Hi bestefar!), an academic in languages who knew more about the history of language than I thought possible. And, finally, Bernard: A French man who despite being funny and incurably charismatic was still French, so I have to beat him at Trivial pursuit (apparently about as likely as me competing in the high jump.) Oh Bernard knew about at least three languages, so I have to learn three now too... Viv la France....;)
Point is, I saw a world beyond and I wonder whether (as a good friend Roy Calder once said), that British culture makes us self depreciate ourselves. Make us unable to achieve, go further. I'm beginning to see what he was taking about.
If you have never done it and you still can (i.e. dependents depending), then get out there and get somewhere else, anywhere. If not to see what that place is like then to compare it to home and see what home is "really" like.

Later the next day I was out at the viking ship museum, looking at three vessels over 1000 years old and the single solid evidence we have about the infamous vikings. Its amazing how much we apparently know about them came from so little. Thank god I had my camcorder with me.
I also noticed the air is dry here, maybe thats why they call it 'Norwegian formula hand cream?' :)

ANyway, that's my nightly rant for today.
Thanks for reading.
Rik. (Jeg Hetair Rik! Jeg er Britisk! I HATE CRABS LISA STOP SAYING IT!) :)
xxx

Taste of Norway part four (As taken from Facebook)

07 November 2008

Hello readers! Thank you all for the complements.

Anyway.
Today I discovered another lovely thing about Norway. The rain.
The temperature dropped today during the rain, which you could actually see turn to sleet!
Saw more of Oslo city, this time the other half as Ingrid showed me the civil defense museum. Got to see what gun my grandad used during the war. :). You can buy shell casings here as big as my forearm! Not to mention surplus materials at cheap prices. Don't think I could get some of those through British customs mind you. And they had three tanks (decommissioned I later worked out) decorating the area. T34, T72 and another rusky tank i think...

The dubliner, a gigantic pub much like the Irish pubs Oneil in Liverpool. Great food! If not expensive. 42 squid for two main course and two pints of Guinness (£7 a pint, well 1/2 liter). Like I said, food is expensive here, especially unhealthy and unnecessary food like chocolate (1.20 for a Mars bar equiv). Yet pastries the size of my hand are 80p!

Everything is in a way, rationed here. The basic mentality of the culture I believe must have been born from the early days where eeeking a living meant being sparse with everything. Even such things as smiles are few, but this is because they are worth more. Insincerity and begging are a big faux pa. If someone shakes your hand and says they are happy to meet you THY MEAN IT. Also, A gift here is a gift. Try and meet it and risk offending the other person. Its a gift, its not asking for something in return.

Damn it gets dark quick. Anyway, batteries running low and I cant be bothered running for the power cable. I'm on holiday!! Cant wait to see you all again. Noticed you are getting a lovely 10 degrees back home. Just hit Freezing here, literally.

Hvordan gaar det?
Rik

Taste of Norway part three (As taken from Facebook)

06 November 2008

Right. Done something today.
They say that the truth will set you free. In this case, it seems that the freedom set the truth.
While Ingrid was working her last day at work (shes between jobs), I decided to go on a little adventure into Oslo city centre.
Sounds simple enough.
Of course, after staring at a map in Toyan subway station for ten minutes, only to be joined by two Italians who were just as stuck, just to realise any train would do!
Oh well.
Oslo city. What could I honestly say about the place, based on a comparison to my blessed dearest Liverpool. I'll break it down.

• No scallies. Thats right. None, though there were other problems, see below.


• Poverty. It took me a while to notice that Oslo has a massive influx of immigrants living homeless on the streets while they find work in the docks or move on. They are hard to work because they dont hassle you for money for drug habits (like I said, comparison to Liverpool).


• Politeness. There are few zebra crossings as such. No need, as traffic always stop if someones waiting to cross. Its strange to me, used as I am to evading cars Jason Bourne fashion. I even witnessed a car performing a perfect emergency stop just to let someone cross!


• Impoliteness. Two sides to every coin. While the roads might be safer to cross, the people of Oslo seem nonplussed with making way out of politeness. Not once did I hear excuse me, or thank you or anything (yes, even in norweigan). Apparently, after asking around, this is because such things are reserved for family and friends and as such mean MORE to them than it does to us. Apparently while we see the Norse as being cold, they see us as being insincere our politeness forced and not well meant. They may have a point.


ANyway, to end it off. I walked around, seeing many similar yet different things. Norwegian touristy shops owned by foreign nationals, bus's that look and feel like trains (except they corner on a penny!), nearly everybody knows two languages! Barely any litter on the streets and the bins seem always just changed. Graffiti, is scarce by comparison.
Everything seems to cost more, which I reflected as I walked (talking to myself- something I should get checked I think), makes you appreciate every purchase. Back home, I realized how many things I waste and buy without using. Food here is more expensive, despite the fact that condoms are cheaper (Priorities oh government of mine?).

Still, I saw the Fjord from its edge, and walked up the bizarre roof of the opera house. Half frozen solid, it was still a fantastic view from the top. The sun is so low here! Heh, getting down was almost as much fun!

Well that's it for today. Bit more thoughtful than usual I grant you, but I calls em like I sees em.
And tomorrow, or" i morgen" Ingrid is off and taking me to see the defense museum! So, I'll be happy then :)

Miss you all!
Let me know how you are!
Rik.
x

Taste of Noway part deux (As taken from Facebook)

06 November 2008

Ok, now I am starting to notice the cold here. Its different to English cold, drier, doesnt soak into the cloths you wear more bits anything open to air. (did that rhyme?)
Finally got a local sim card working in a crappy old Nokia (which Ingrid loves very much so I'll have to be careful :))
Yesterday was mostly uneventful, stayed in and watched movies which I most certainly did not download. Leg was giving me hassle, gonna have the thing replaced with a cheetahs when i get back.
My Norwegian is getting better every day.
Jeg vil snakken Norshk Na Jeg Kun. But I'm still making those wonderfully British mistakes.
Still no yorkshire pudding...
Yesterday I also met Ingrid's parents again, they're house is amazing! Lots of old stuff, books etc, which they have far more appreciation for then we do. Grand father clock et al! Food was gorgeous, and I realized that sometimes, trying to eat everything is bad. I've seriously got to cut down my portion size :).

Anyway, today I'm going around town on my own, armed with a local mobile, and get you by Norshk. Lets see how I do eh?

Until next time!
Hada Bra!
Rik.

Norway, a first impression (as taken from Facebook)

04 November 2008

Well, I've had my first day here, already used 260 Crowns! Still, the sight flying over the fjord (the big river like opening) was simply amazing. At night, you really get to see where everyone lives.
Still, the flight was longer than expected because I don't work well with international times! Then, I left my laptop in the baggage area of this huge coach (which turned out to be wifi capable!) and traveled a further hour and a half! SO all and all, last midnight I was tired and hungry.

Then, after food and sleep, I found the good news. Ingrid's apartment (renting at £400 approx), is big. And, its professionally made. Starting to hate British constructions already.
Went to work with Ingrid, which was, well boring. Only the red headed beau company kept me from going insane while I got to know the area and started picking up the speech. (more on that later).
QUick side hit, Norwegians have got it down with hot dogs. Jesus H Christ! Bratwurst with bacon rolled around it! Half the fat of British counterparts! And they have Norweigan Scouse... which tastes very similar to scouse scouse.

Anyway, missing my family and my friends (including the Cex Lords! Hi guys!).
I'm off to a pub! (that's right, they've got them too.)
Until next time,
Rik.

The story so far...

Ok, so this Blog was created after I started taking this venture so seriously. However, I will firstly post up (via the art of copy and paste) the previous musings I made during my initial visits. Specifically, I usually try and note all those weird little differences that I found between the cultures. I'm no personologist person, but well.... meh.

Ahhhh Velkommen til Norge! But not yet...

Hi! Hei and welcome. You will be witness to either a fantastic success story of one common as muck Brit making a new life abroad, or trying to.

I will ask the question: Can it be done?
I'll be recording my antics here, hopefully as a lesson of what to do, or... not what to do.
We shall see....


In the beginning...three months ago...
From what was originally a romantic story (guy meets girl, girl is Norwegian and has to go home....), came the decision that many average Brits simply never even think about making:

I am going to move to Norway.

Lets get this into perspective. I have no friends and family over there (well I didn't), no money making talents, no preset job arrangements and most certainly no language knowledge. SO! Why do it? It could be that my beloved girlfriend is over there and I'm not. It could be that I am so bored with life here that I want a change? Or it could be that I want to at least say I tried to do it. Not many can say they've done that!

Anyway!
Emmigration day is 29th May! Tickets have been bought! I have bought the tickets!

Key points of interest then: -
Language
Job (or jobs)
Place to live
Yorkshire Puddings.

Oh, yeah, there are NO YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS in Norway...