Spring Shopping

Is it just me, or does the sun and sight of spring not just make you more happy but also in the mood for shopping? My shopping mood have been in hibernation for the last months, but it is slowly waking up as the sun is coming back and the days are getting longer. Here's from inside Oslo City, one of Oslo's shopping malls.

T

Not quite the same Art Nouveau style as Hector Guimard's design for the Paris Métro entrances, however this is the sign for Oslo's subway stations. There are 92 stations in total, whereas only 16 is situated underground or inside. This subway sign is one of the many entrances to the subway stop at Jernbanetorget.

Theatercaféen

Opposite Nationaltheatret is Theatercaféen, the revered café which since its opening in 1900 have housed many members of the Norwegian art and culture scene, actors and actresses from Nationaltheatret. Starting in 1924, portraits of these guests were made and placed on the walls of the café. The tradition has continued, and the collection now contains 81 portraits of authors, actors, painters, photographers, musicians and composers, all former or current patrons of the café.

It's idnight and the oon is up!

As there is a full oon today I thought this photo were appropriate. The apartment building is one of the any yellow houses at Torshov. Torshov ight not be the best place to look at the stars and oon, as it is in the iddle of the city. In order to get the ost out of a full oon and a starry night, head for the ore dark places!

Victoria Terrasse

In my opinion, this is Oslo's most beautiful building! It reminds me of Hôtel de Ville in Paris, maybe that's why I like it so much?! Victoria Terasse was built between 1884 and 1890 to contain thirteen huge apartment buildings. In 1913 the Norwegian Government bought the building and since then it has been housing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the World War II, Victoria Terrasse were occupied by the germans, who used the building for interrogation and imprisonment.

Parkering forbudt

An old weathered garage in the middle of the city. It's in the same street as the architectural gem I blogged a few days back, in Fjellgata. There is a few streets like this, with old wooden houses (give or take an architectural gem or two) in the east of Oslo. An area that comes to mind is Kampen and Vålerenga.

The mirror effect

Today's photo is taken inside the Nobel Peace Center. In the center of the photo is the red souvenir shop where they sell everything from books to jewelry that reflects the exhibitions and topics related to peace prices. You should check it out! When that's said, what I also want to show you today is the mirror effect in their exhibition hall made by the metal walls, ceiling and lighting. How cool is that?

Green

This green light installation can be found inside the Opera House. The Opera House is made up by a variety of designs and looks. In the foyer, there's the wooden core surrounding the different scenes, giving the area a very nature-like look. Outside the center, this white and green wall is separating the foyer, the wardrobe area and the bar & restaurant.

Car park

Street parking in this city during winter can be an absolute pain. If you're lucky enough to find a spot, don't be surprised if you have trouble getting out the morning after due to snow fall. This car and parking is not representative to this problem, there's hardly any snow at the moment. I just like the heart someone has drawn in the snow!

Kakaobaren på Grünerløkka!

If you're at Grünerløkka you should pop by the alternative coffee shop, Cocoa on the go. This little shop serves lots of different types of cocoa, as well as cakes and coffee. If you are in a hurry or don't want to leave your dog outside, try their express counter through the window like this woman did. To get there: cross over the park Birkelunden from the street Thorvald Meyers gate.

Graphein

The greek word graphein means to write. Today's photo shows graphein as we know it today, as graffiti. If I were a professional photographer I would travel to Paris and take photos of graffiti and street art along the train and metro lines. For now, I'm happy taking photos of graffiti here in Oslo, like this one under a highway bridge.

Fjellgata

In a small, quiet street in the middle of Oslo you can see this architectural gem. I think the design of this house is so special, especially with the old wooden look. Using untreated wood, such as pine, spruce or aspen on the facade is becoming more and more popular. Not only is it environmentally friendly, cost effective and durable, the natural look is really cool!

Paint it black

I see a red door and I want it painted black

No colors anymore I want them to turn black

I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes

I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

The Rolling Stones

Not a nice sight

I am tempted to yell at dog owners and tell them to get a grip and throw away their dog shit properly, but then I remembered the garbage bin covered in coffee cups which I posted a photo of two weeks ago (here). Maybe it's the sanitation workers in Oslo I should yell at? Regardless, this is not a nice sight.

Skyline

For me this photo gives me a sense of quiet, but if I were able to zoom out a little, the photo would give a totally different feeling. It's taken not far from Carl Bernes Plass, one of Oslo's busiest intersections, with huzz and buzz throughout the day. Between 2008 and 2010 the intersection was upgraded, and in order to reduce the traffic they built a rectangular roundabout!! Not sure it worked the way they wanted, because driving through Carl Berner can be a nightmare, even for the most skilled and experienced driver.

Sagene Pils og Pølse

When I had just started this blog in 2010, I had a post about Sagene Lunsjbar. One Sunday afternoon not so long ago I had lunch here, and found out that the food was very good! Sagene Lunsjbar is also the place where the local boys club Sagene Pils og Pølse meet once a month over some home made hamburgers and beer.

Tasty Thai

The city is full of Asian restaurants! This one is called Tasty Thai and is situated next to Ringen Cinema. I didn't think the food was that good, but after a day of longing for red curry almost anything goes. My friend (and lovely model for today's photo) wants to give you two tips: For home made asian food, just as good (if not better) as the food served in the restaurants try TORO's Szechuan Chicken. For some superb Peking Duck (Crispy duck) order it at the restaurant Dinner in the city centre. Oh, and for those of you who guessed the Opera House yesterday, were right! Good on ya!

Iceberg

When I look at this photo I think of an iceberg, a modern iceberg on land. For today's photo a question follows: Does anyone know what building this is?

Petal

On my way home the other day I walked passed Oslo Tinghus, the courthouse in Oslo. Between 17th of December 2011 and 19th of June 2012 the courthouse was closed for weddings due to the 22nd of July trial. During the trial period the courthouse was covered in roses, as was the rest of Oslo. It's nice seeing roses in front of the courthouse again, but more for more nicer reasons than during the terror trial.

N for Nomination, N for Nobel

You might remember my post Eye on Gandhi, an exhibition at the Nobel Peace Center. Today's photo is from the same exhibition, showing a collection of letters of nomination that the Peace Center received  from people all over the world who wanted to nominate Gandhi for the peace prize.

NOAH

When Oslo's citizens are in the need of letting some steam out, the most dedicated meet at the little square in front of the Parliament Building and demonstrates. Here are NOAH's followers, fighting for animal rights!

Freia

Mmm, chocolate! Freia was the largest chocolate manufacturer in Norway until Kraft Foods bought the company i 1993. To all Norwegians' relief, the chocolate tastes just as good even though most of the chocolate production is moved from Grünerløkka, Oslo to Lithuania, Estonia and Sweden. This advertising sign for Freia, on top of Thunegården at the square Egertorget in Karl Johan was the city's first illuminated advertising, set up in 1911.

Waitangi Day

Another theme day is here! Today is Waitangi Day, New Zealand's national day. My relationship with New Zealand is not as strong as my relationship with Australia. I have not lived in the country, but I've traveled through it in the course of a month in 2007. What I remember most is how different the North Island and the South Island are, when it comes to the nature. The South Island are mainly fjords and mountains (like here in Norway), while the North Island is characterized by volcanic activity. Whilst on the North Island I visited a Maori village i Rotorua, (a typical tourist thing to do). There we were introduced to Maori art forms, their ancient rituals and traditions. I loved their food, Te Hangi, a meal from the earth oven. Read more about the Maori Experience here.

På visning

A week ago my father told me that the apartment he grew up in, in Kongsvingergata, were for sale. Yesterday we went there to view it and reminisce old times. I didn't want to take any photos inside, so here's one from the hallway outside. If you want to see the sales ad, check out finn.no.

Sinsenkrysset

This junction, established in 1870 is today Oslo's most trafficked. Until 1957 it was a normal traffic intersection, but because of too much traffic it had to be expanded and Norway's first roundabout was built here. However, the intersection's full capacity was reached only 5 years later. In 1962 a bridge was built and the junction grew into the multileveled junction we know today.

The Nighthawk

"The heart of any good diner is in the atmosphere: Steamed up windows, pancakes on the grill, endless coffee, good conversation. Here's hoping we can deliver: Welcome to The Nighthawk!" For a good american inspired diner at Grünerløkka, serving burgers, pancakes and american whiskey cocktails, check out The Nighthawk Diner in Seilduksgata. Here's their webpage: The Nighthawk Diner.

Oslove

After the terror attacks in Oslo and Utøya the 22. july 2011 the term Oslo Love or Oslove spread like wildfire on social media. Lots of people changed their profile photos to the Oslo Love logo. Some have also painted the logo on walls and buildings around the city, like this one.

Umbrellas: Theme Day

February's Theme Day "umbrellas" are well timed. My interpretation of this month's theme (if you can call it an interpretation at all) is very boring, but the weather in Oslo the last days have been so crappy with warm weather and lots of rain, I thought I keep it simple. Here are two under their umbrellas in front of Oslo City hall at Aker Brygge (notice the two City Hall towers I was referring to in my post Oslo).