Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Who Loves The Sun
The days are definitely getting shorter. From about 3:00pm until the sun goes down entirely, Oslo sits somewhere between day and night. It's a strange feeling, and apparently it will only get worse as November progresses.
It's now 4:30pm, and the streetlights are on.
It's now 4:30pm, and the streetlights are on.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Adventures in Oslo
Today was perhaps the best day I've had in Oslo yet! I've had many good days before this, but today stands out. I think it was a balanced day, and as a result of the balance, my anxiety resulting from being unbalanced was minimal to nonexistent. I studied in the morning, went to the museums in the afternoon, walked around the fortress, had a nice sandwich and coffee as the sun went down, came home and sent some emails, had kraft dinner, enjoyed the internet.
The highlights of the day, and what will undoubtedly remain as highlights of the trip, were my visits to the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art and the Akershus Slott (Fortress).
The Astrup Fearnley Museum is one of the most impressive museums/galleries I have seen - if it weren't for its lesser size, it would stand right next to Tate Modern as an equal (if you ask me). The exhibition currenly in progress is the second part of a joint exhibition produced by Astrup and the Serpentine Gallery in London. Its aim is to shine a light on the amazing work being produced by the current generation of Chinese artists, all of whom have chosen to stay in China (the exhibition tells that in the past, most contemporary artists would have had to leave the country to pursue their art in more traditional centres such as London and New York). There were some incredible pieces. Here's the only photo I managed to take before I was told that photos were not allowed:
Following the Astrup, I wandered over to the National Gallery of Contemporary Art, which was great, but felt a little flat compared to where I had just been. There were, however, several great pieces, which may or may not include the following:
Once I'd had my fill of art, I took a walk and decided to do something I probably should have done within the first few days of arriving in Oslo: visit the fortress. It's marked on every tourist map, and it's within walking distance of three different train stops, so I really have no excuse for taking this long to get to it. Better late than never is what I continue to tell myself as I sit here writing this blog.
The fortress is built on a piece of land that juts out into the Oslo Fjord, and it's actually one of the more impressive fortresses I have been to - moreso than the ones in Denmark and St. Petersburg.
As I walked along the steep walls, I found a nice spot to sit and watch the sun sink lower into the water. I sat there for nearly an hour, and really felt like I was enjoying Oslo, which I was (and am). Here are some photos:
I'm now sitting here, reading through an Oslo tourist guide, thinking that I should probably get out and do more of this sort of thing before I have to leave.
Tomorrow I leave for Amsterdam, so my adventures in Oslo will have to wait until Monday.
The highlights of the day, and what will undoubtedly remain as highlights of the trip, were my visits to the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art and the Akershus Slott (Fortress).
The Astrup Fearnley Museum is one of the most impressive museums/galleries I have seen - if it weren't for its lesser size, it would stand right next to Tate Modern as an equal (if you ask me). The exhibition currenly in progress is the second part of a joint exhibition produced by Astrup and the Serpentine Gallery in London. Its aim is to shine a light on the amazing work being produced by the current generation of Chinese artists, all of whom have chosen to stay in China (the exhibition tells that in the past, most contemporary artists would have had to leave the country to pursue their art in more traditional centres such as London and New York). There were some incredible pieces. Here's the only photo I managed to take before I was told that photos were not allowed:
Following the Astrup, I wandered over to the National Gallery of Contemporary Art, which was great, but felt a little flat compared to where I had just been. There were, however, several great pieces, which may or may not include the following:
Once I'd had my fill of art, I took a walk and decided to do something I probably should have done within the first few days of arriving in Oslo: visit the fortress. It's marked on every tourist map, and it's within walking distance of three different train stops, so I really have no excuse for taking this long to get to it. Better late than never is what I continue to tell myself as I sit here writing this blog.
The fortress is built on a piece of land that juts out into the Oslo Fjord, and it's actually one of the more impressive fortresses I have been to - moreso than the ones in Denmark and St. Petersburg.
As I walked along the steep walls, I found a nice spot to sit and watch the sun sink lower into the water. I sat there for nearly an hour, and really felt like I was enjoying Oslo, which I was (and am). Here are some photos:
I'm now sitting here, reading through an Oslo tourist guide, thinking that I should probably get out and do more of this sort of thing before I have to leave.
Tomorrow I leave for Amsterdam, so my adventures in Oslo will have to wait until Monday.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
What It Looked Like.
Russia was an interesting place and I'm glad to have seen it. However, it's not a place that I would consider to be a holiday destination. I continually summarize my experience there to others by saying that it was very 'Russian'.
As promised, here are some photos:
Russian clubs/bars are full of interesting people:
Now that I'm back in Norway, I'm faced with the challenge of living with a water-boil advisory. Apparently, the pipes in Oslo are not fit for use, and it's causing problems, like giardiasis. This means that the one redeeming feature of my room, my sink, is not useable, likely for the rest of my time here in Norway.
I'm trying to figure out if the water is safe to use for cleaning dishes, but of course the advisory is in Norwegian, which I know very little of.
If anyone is interested in coming to Oslo to install a water filtration system into my room, my door is open.
As promised, here are some photos:
Russian clubs/bars are full of interesting people:
Now that I'm back in Norway, I'm faced with the challenge of living with a water-boil advisory. Apparently, the pipes in Oslo are not fit for use, and it's causing problems, like giardiasis. This means that the one redeeming feature of my room, my sink, is not useable, likely for the rest of my time here in Norway.
I'm trying to figure out if the water is safe to use for cleaning dishes, but of course the advisory is in Norwegian, which I know very little of.
If anyone is interested in coming to Oslo to install a water filtration system into my room, my door is open.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
For Tomorrow
I really should post some photos from Russia, seeing as how I promised I would, but I'm going to put it off for one more day. It's bed time for me.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Back to the Future.
I'm now back from Russia, sitting in the Black Diamond in Copenhagen. I really don't know what to say about St. Petersburg, so I'm going to have to give it some thought. The entire week was definitely an enlightening experience, and I'll leave it at that for now.
I'll post some photos soon, so GET READY FOR THAT!
I'll post some photos soon, so GET READY FOR THAT!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Stevie Wonder at Breakfast
Russia is cheap like nowhere I've ever been before. With one Canadian Dollar equalling around 25 Rubles, and most meals costing around 50 - 100 Rubles, I can afford to eat pretty much whatever I want. However, I'm finding Russian Cuisine to be quite heavy, as most meals involve dumplings covered in sour cream, and borscht (sp?).
The breakfasts are fine, but the lounge/restaurant insists on playing at least three different versions of Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called To Say I Love You" every morning.
My internet time is very limited these days, so I'll have to continue this story another day.
The breakfasts are fine, but the lounge/restaurant insists on playing at least three different versions of Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called To Say I Love You" every morning.
My internet time is very limited these days, so I'll have to continue this story another day.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Ace Of Base
I have decided that there can be few things more interesting/terrifying than taking a taxi in Russia.
When looking around the streets, very few actual taxis are seen. Rather than legitimate taxis, Russians seem to rely on 'private taxis', which are basically just people driving their cars and looking for a little extra money. To find one of these private taxis, you simply put out your arm, and wait for someone to pull over - it's essentially city hitch-hiking. When the driver pulls over, you negotiate a price for where you want to go, and if you come to an agreement, you get in. Once you're in the car, the real fun/horror begins, as there doesn't appear to be any real traffic system in place to deal with the number of cars in this city. Cars move quickly, and without any real sense of order. I have no idea how the streets work, and I spend most of the travel-time convinced that I won't be making it where I need to go without some minor/major collision. So far, I've been surprised and I've managed to make it to where I need to go with absolutely no problem, and for a very reasonable price. I hope this continues.
Right now I'm going back to the Hermitage Museum, where I spent most of the day, to enjoy Swan Lake performed in Catherine the Great's private theatre.
In other news, Ace of Base is playing in town shortly, and there are posters everywhere.
When looking around the streets, very few actual taxis are seen. Rather than legitimate taxis, Russians seem to rely on 'private taxis', which are basically just people driving their cars and looking for a little extra money. To find one of these private taxis, you simply put out your arm, and wait for someone to pull over - it's essentially city hitch-hiking. When the driver pulls over, you negotiate a price for where you want to go, and if you come to an agreement, you get in. Once you're in the car, the real fun/horror begins, as there doesn't appear to be any real traffic system in place to deal with the number of cars in this city. Cars move quickly, and without any real sense of order. I have no idea how the streets work, and I spend most of the travel-time convinced that I won't be making it where I need to go without some minor/major collision. So far, I've been surprised and I've managed to make it to where I need to go with absolutely no problem, and for a very reasonable price. I hope this continues.
Right now I'm going back to the Hermitage Museum, where I spent most of the day, to enjoy Swan Lake performed in Catherine the Great's private theatre.
In other news, Ace of Base is playing in town shortly, and there are posters everywhere.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Russian
I'm in Russia. I don't have much time to write, as I have to get going - there's a bottle of Vodka being opened at this very minute that I don't want to miss out on.
I will say that St. Petersburg is like I expected. You can tell that at one time, this was a magnificent city, with the biggest and best of everything. You can also tell that the city has seen some hard times, but that it remains a proud place. Today involved a trip to the Peter and Paul Fortress, which happens to be where the Czars have been buried since the first Peter, as well as some random wandering in the cold rain. I had a great Russian lunch, consisting of potato dumplings and pancake soup, that cost me around 4 dollars, beer included.
I'll try to get more up on this blog thing tomorrow, after I've been to the Hermitage.
I will say that St. Petersburg is like I expected. You can tell that at one time, this was a magnificent city, with the biggest and best of everything. You can also tell that the city has seen some hard times, but that it remains a proud place. Today involved a trip to the Peter and Paul Fortress, which happens to be where the Czars have been buried since the first Peter, as well as some random wandering in the cold rain. I had a great Russian lunch, consisting of potato dumplings and pancake soup, that cost me around 4 dollars, beer included.
I'll try to get more up on this blog thing tomorrow, after I've been to the Hermitage.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Heart of The Black Diamond
That's where I am - in the heart of the BLACK DIAMOND. But don't worry, the BD is just a library, in Copenhagen. And the heart that I'm referring to is really just the central foyer.
Anyway, I'm here in Copenhagen, leaving tomorrow for St. Petersburg. I've had an hour of Russian language instruction, so purchasing things like stolen military goods and fur hats should be no problem. I'm particularly hoping to come home with a KGB standard-issue watch. I've also been told that you can buy vodka in zip-lock bags for something like ten cents (straw included).
There isn't much more to say at the moment, so here are some photos from Copenhagen:
Anyway, I'm here in Copenhagen, leaving tomorrow for St. Petersburg. I've had an hour of Russian language instruction, so purchasing things like stolen military goods and fur hats should be no problem. I'm particularly hoping to come home with a KGB standard-issue watch. I've also been told that you can buy vodka in zip-lock bags for something like ten cents (straw included).
There isn't much more to say at the moment, so here are some photos from Copenhagen:
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The Wise Little Hen
I have been wondering lately why and how Norwegians have fallen so hard for Donald Duck (the animated character). He's seemingly everywhere, even on buses (the buses don't advertise any particular product, they just serve to remind the people of Norway that Donald is there for them, when they need him most). Here's a bus:
From a bit of research, it appears that 'Donald Duck Magazine' is the most widely read magazine publication in Norway. More than one million of the four million people living in Norway subscribe to read the weekly adventures of Uncle Donald. There's actually a bar called Onkle Donald...
I'm not going to pass judgment here, as Donald is certainly a respectable character, but I still wonder.
Anyway, before I go to bed tonight, I'll need to do some packing because tomorrow I leave for St. Petersburg, Russia, via Copenhagen.
From a bit of research, it appears that 'Donald Duck Magazine' is the most widely read magazine publication in Norway. More than one million of the four million people living in Norway subscribe to read the weekly adventures of Uncle Donald. There's actually a bar called Onkle Donald...
I'm not going to pass judgment here, as Donald is certainly a respectable character, but I still wonder.
Anyway, before I go to bed tonight, I'll need to do some packing because tomorrow I leave for St. Petersburg, Russia, via Copenhagen.
Friday, October 5, 2007
That Summer Feeling
If you're ever asked to pick between Jonathan Richman playing acoustic guitar and a world-class symphony playing Johannes Brahms, choose Jonathan Richman. I saw both last night, and, while the symphony was enjoyable, Jonathan Richman will surely be one of the highlights of this Norwegian Adventure.
Despite being trapped in an absolutely packed room, with my glasses constantly fogging over due to the heat and humidity, watching Jonathan Richman sing his 'fun' songs in up to five different languages while periodically dancing to a beat provided by his drumming friend, Tommy Larkins, was something I truly enjoyed. Despite being in his 50s, he seemed almost ageless - he has an excited youthful energy that combines with his years of 'life experience' to produce a show that had everyone in the audience listening. I took some photos/video, but here's something of better quality from YouTube:
Anyway, it was great.
As for today, most of it was spent walking around Oslo. After another late sleep-in, I went out in search of Tim Wendelboe's Cafe. I found it, had an espresso, and left. He offers a course on Barista Techniques and another on coffee in general that I hope to take over the next few months.
Here's the shop:
At the moment, I'm waiting for my sheets to dry. It turns out that the laundry room closes at 10pm, which allowed me enough time to actually wash everything, but no time to dry. As a result, it will be a little while until I have anything to sleep on/in.
As a final note, Fall has definitely come to Oslo - the light and the air have both changed quite considerably, but in a very nice way. Here are some photos from today:
Despite being trapped in an absolutely packed room, with my glasses constantly fogging over due to the heat and humidity, watching Jonathan Richman sing his 'fun' songs in up to five different languages while periodically dancing to a beat provided by his drumming friend, Tommy Larkins, was something I truly enjoyed. Despite being in his 50s, he seemed almost ageless - he has an excited youthful energy that combines with his years of 'life experience' to produce a show that had everyone in the audience listening. I took some photos/video, but here's something of better quality from YouTube:
Anyway, it was great.
As for today, most of it was spent walking around Oslo. After another late sleep-in, I went out in search of Tim Wendelboe's Cafe. I found it, had an espresso, and left. He offers a course on Barista Techniques and another on coffee in general that I hope to take over the next few months.
Here's the shop:
At the moment, I'm waiting for my sheets to dry. It turns out that the laundry room closes at 10pm, which allowed me enough time to actually wash everything, but no time to dry. As a result, it will be a little while until I have anything to sleep on/in.
As a final note, Fall has definitely come to Oslo - the light and the air have both changed quite considerably, but in a very nice way. Here are some photos from today:
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Jonathan Brahms
Tonight should be an interesting time. The other day I decided to again take up the Oslo Philharmonic on its offer of cheap student tickets, so tonight I'll be seeing something by Brahms and Haydn at the Oslo Concert Hall.
This afternoon, during my regular checking-up of the internet, I had the good luck of noticing that Jonathan Richman was playing in Oslo tonight, and not Saturday as I had marked down in my calendar.
The result is that I will now be attending both performances in one evening, and will report with a full critical comparison of the two sometime tomorrow. I expect there to be at least a few obvious parallels between the classical styles of Haydn and the "widly eclectic rock and roll structures" of Richman.
Another expensive day in Oslo.
This afternoon, during my regular checking-up of the internet, I had the good luck of noticing that Jonathan Richman was playing in Oslo tonight, and not Saturday as I had marked down in my calendar.
The result is that I will now be attending both performances in one evening, and will report with a full critical comparison of the two sometime tomorrow. I expect there to be at least a few obvious parallels between the classical styles of Haydn and the "widly eclectic rock and roll structures" of Richman.
Another expensive day in Oslo.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Bean A Long Time Coming
Sometimes food can provide for nothing but dissapointment. I should have known better than to attempt anything more than cheerios tonight.
The final product of my work tonight was a bowl of instant rice, topped with potatoes, a slice of salami, and a fried egg. Individually, the different parts were fine, and actually tasted quite good. However, when combined, they became a solid mass of heavy and disgusting blandness. Now I just feel sick. At least I won't have to fear starvation while I try to sleep tonight.
In other news, it turns out that Oslo is home to the Barista World Champion several years running. I found this to be very surprising, since I haven't tried any coffee here that I felt was any good, but it is line with what I had been told about Norway before I left home - that Norwegians love coffee. He has a cafe somewhere in town and tomorrow I am going to find it. I've decided that espresso is my new passion in life. When I return to Cagary, I want to invest in a quality bean grinder and other bean paraphernalia.
The final product of my work tonight was a bowl of instant rice, topped with potatoes, a slice of salami, and a fried egg. Individually, the different parts were fine, and actually tasted quite good. However, when combined, they became a solid mass of heavy and disgusting blandness. Now I just feel sick. At least I won't have to fear starvation while I try to sleep tonight.
In other news, it turns out that Oslo is home to the Barista World Champion several years running. I found this to be very surprising, since I haven't tried any coffee here that I felt was any good, but it is line with what I had been told about Norway before I left home - that Norwegians love coffee. He has a cafe somewhere in town and tomorrow I am going to find it. I've decided that espresso is my new passion in life. When I return to Cagary, I want to invest in a quality bean grinder and other bean paraphernalia.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Mo' Money
I've figured out a way to pay for this expensive Norwegian adventure: sell ad space to google!
Made In Italy
Norway has been pretty quiet lately. It's been rainy and I've been doing things like laundry and studying. I'm still eating the Havre Grot, which I think means 'hot oats'.
I made the mistake of buying wheatabix (cereal), thinking it would be a healthy alternative to my other healthy cereal. Wheatabix may be healthy, but it's not something I would ever want to eat again. I have a box full of it - a box that cost me good hard earned kroner - and I hope someone steals it.
Did I write yet about my new espresso maker? I don't think that I did. It's not much - just the stove top italian-made steel kind - but it does the job. It's the small things that make the biggest difference to my time here, and the espresso maker has become one of my most prized possessions (in addition to my 1.5 litre pot, which I keep safely locked away in my room). If only I could afford the actual espresso grounds...
Also from Italy are the apples I bought the other day. They're not that good.
I made the mistake of buying wheatabix (cereal), thinking it would be a healthy alternative to my other healthy cereal. Wheatabix may be healthy, but it's not something I would ever want to eat again. I have a box full of it - a box that cost me good hard earned kroner - and I hope someone steals it.
Did I write yet about my new espresso maker? I don't think that I did. It's not much - just the stove top italian-made steel kind - but it does the job. It's the small things that make the biggest difference to my time here, and the espresso maker has become one of my most prized possessions (in addition to my 1.5 litre pot, which I keep safely locked away in my room). If only I could afford the actual espresso grounds...
Also from Italy are the apples I bought the other day. They're not that good.
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