Recharge

I skimmed through the newspaper the other day, and I remember some headline about the worlds largest parking/recharge space for electric cars opening in Oslo somewhere. I didn't dwell upon this news for too long, until I suddenly saw this car park on my way to work today. I got a feeling this was the new recharge area I briefly read about in the news, since this car park has never been here before. And, I was right. On June 7th, the world largest municipal charging station for electrical cars was opened at Aker Brygge. It was celebrated by a parade of 69 electrical cars driving from the City Hall to the charging station. The station can hold up to 50 cars, where they can recharge their battery for free. On the same day, a national database for all the charging stations in Norway was opened by our Transport Minister. So, if you find yourself travelling through Oslo in an eco-friendly way, you can easily find a perfect little spot to stop, and recharge here!

Island hopping

As I wrote a few days ago, it took only 20 minutes by ferry to get to one of the little islands in the inner part of the Oslo Fjord. The ferry stops on several of the islands, so in fact, Oslo offers a possible island hopping in summer time if you're up for it! Today's photo is from the island Gressholmen, which offers a nice view of the city. The tiny little white dot you might spot on the hill in the back, is the new Holmenkollen Ski Jump! To see timetables for the Oslo ferries and public transport in general, check out www.trafikanten.no

Egon's Exit

One of my best childhood memories are watching the Olsenbanden movies on television with my family on Saturday evenings. Olsenbanden, that can be translated into The Olsen's Gang, were a series of comedy movies from the 70's about Egon Olsen and his two buddies, his gang. They were three amateur criminals, in every movie trying to put to life one of Egon's remarkable plans. In every movie Egon describes the plans as solid and waterproof, and the plans might have been just as waterproof and solid as Egon predicted, had these three mates not been born with such huge amount of unluck each. Every movie starts with Egon finally being released from prison, with his two mates happy, waiting for him outside. Every movie ends with Egon being caught by the same persistent and vindictive police officer, and put to prison. Today's photo is taken approximately at the same place Egon's mates waits for him on his prison release. The red brick building you can see in the end of the road is in fact a real prison. It is Oslo Kretsfengsel (Oslo Prision), division A, known as Botsfengselet or Botsen

Summer Sunset

My schoolmates and I celebrated the start of summer holiday the other day, with a trip to one of the islands in the inner part of the Oslo Fjord, only 20 min away by ferry (the ferry, by the way, is a part of Oslo's public transport system Ruter, making it easy and affordable). After a long and relaxing afternoon and evening, filled with barbecue, ball games and countless mosquito bites, we took the last ferry back into the city, with today's photo as our view!

Photography in the public sphere

Every now and again, there are photo exhibitions on display outside the City Hall. The exhibitions are for everyone who walks past, either it is Oslo citizens on their way home from work or tourists taking a stroll along Aker Brygge. Some years ago, one exhibition was Yann Arthus-Bertrand's "The earth from above" photos, and a few months back, the exhibition was hosted by Norway's Blind Association in cooperation with 18 of Norway's best photographers. The exhibition was called "More than nothing" and the photos portrayed was the photgraphers interpretations of how visually impaired see the world. The exhibition at the moment might be a tourism commercial for Spain, showing beautiful photos from Spanish cities. Regardless what exhibition is on, I like taking the time in a busy weekday, walk along Aker Brygge with all the tourists and enjoy good photography.
For more great photography, check out Yann Arthus-Bertrand's work

City park life

Summer is offically here! Weather reports says it will be sunny and over 20 degrees all week! Good thing I'm on holiday! A mix of being busy studying for my exams and having trouble with uploading photos on the blog, is the reason I haven't posted photos every day this week. Hopefully my mac will stop playing up soon, so I can go back to my daily blogging. I took today's photo yesterday in the south end of the parc Frognerparken at Majorstua. Where else to go in a big city on a summer's day than the park?

Weird art

A very weird sculpture at Oslo Central Station. I am somewhat amazed and amused to see what our goverment chooses to spend their money on

Calming coffee

In February I wrote about a very nice coffee shop not far from our university and how the girls in my class and I go there before our exams to calm our nerves down with an espresso shot or two. Well, yesterday we had an exam, and at 9am we met for a coffe hopefully to calm ourselves down. Not sure it worked. We'll find out in June when we get our grade.. The earlier post on this cool coffee shop/cocktail bar, you can find here

Traces of old

I like this photo with its traces of old. I like to see the trace of an old building on the brick wall, I get curious and want to find out what building used to be there. I have tried to interpret the words on the wall, only being able to read the bottom one. It says "farvehandel" meaning paint shop. Further than that I didn't get. This photo is taken in the old town, and here is another photo of an old buliding in the same suburb

Turtledoves?

Random photo of two people on a bench under pink, beautiful trees. It's not the most romantic photo, although it could have been!

Eurovision Fever!

The madness has begun! Yesterday, they took Oslo by storm, walking the pink carpet in front of Oslo's City Hall where the opening party was held. Yes, I'm talking about the Eurovision Song Contest! Today's photo is taken from the Eurovision Village at Rådhusplassen (City Hall Square), where all the crazy fans can get all the official merchandise! Who doesn't want to be ready for the first semi-final held at Telenor Arena tomorrow or the Grand Final on Saturday!? www.eurovision.tv

Break!

In need of a break from my studies (I've got three exams due this week!!) and some fresh air, I decided to go for a little walk around Aker Brygge and Akershus Fortress. Today's photo is taken right next to the fortress wall, on the fortress ground, overlooking Aker Brygge (here is an earlier entry from this area). On a day like this, sunny and warm, I wish I could do like all the other people around me: Relax on the grass in front of Akerhus Fortress, with good friends and perhaps a glass of wine!

Construction work

Not far from Oslo Central Station and the Opera House, the suburb Bjørvika goes through major construction work. Today's photo is from one the platforms at the central station, with some view over the construction area. The plans are to remove the highway from ground level and into a tunnel, creating space for a waterfront promenade with the Opera House as the centre. A few museums, including the Munch Museum, will be moved to the area, hotels and apartment buildings will be built. This is said to draw 15 000 new inhabitants to the area and about 20 000 new job opportunities. The Oslo Central Station will also undergo major changes, making it the most modern central station in Europe when finished. Also, what will be the main artery when it comes to pedestrian traffic, is soon finished; a 125 million kroner (app. 20 million dollars) footbridge crossing the promenande (not sure if I want to know to total price tag to this project). Everything is said to be finished by the end of 2011, and it will be very interesting to see the new city in the city! For more information on the construction plans, check out bjørvika development

Nationaltheatret

Today's photo is of Nationaltheatret, our National Theatre, that opened in 1899. The bulding, designed by the architect Henrik Bull, is situated in the centre of Oslo, close to Karl Johan and the Royal Palace. In 1983, the bulding was protected by the Cultural Heritage Act. The theatre houses three stages, Hovedscenen, Amfiscenen and Malersalen. An external scene, Torshovteatret, situated in the suburb of Torshov, is the theatre's forth scene. The National Theatre's ensemble is the leading ensemble in Norway, and only the very best, nationally and internationally, are invited to realize the artistic program. At the time being, these are some of the plays on the National Theatre's repertoire; Ingmar Bergman's Fanny & Alexander, William Golding's Fluenes Herre (Lord of the flies), Henrik Ibsen's Et dukkehjem and Bertolt Brecht's Galileo. For more information, check out nationaltheatret.no

Hay fever season

If all the trees getting greener isn't enough for the poor allergic, these flowers at Stortorvet probably does the job! For another photo of the flower market at Stortorvet, click here

17. mai

Today is our national day! Today, 196 years ago, our country's constitution was signed at Eidsvoll. Today, our whole country comes to a standstill, as everyone is celebrating this festive day. What usually happens on our national day is that all the school children, some of their parents and others who want to join in, walk in a parade, with brass music, through the streets of their city or town. In my home town, where I celebrate the national day every year, there are games for the kids at the local school afterwards, before the adults head off to the local pub for a pint, an ice cream or just a chat. Later in the afternoon, and if the weather permits it, there is usually a dinner at some family member or friends house, like a barbecue. In bigger cities, like Oslo, people gather in parks, where there are concerts and tivoli fun. Also in Oslo, the parade with all of Oslo's school children goes along Karl Johan street and up to the Royal Palace where our Royal Family stands on the balcony and waves to the people. Follow this link to see a few photos from the parade in Oslo and Karl Johan.
As I am not in Oslo today, I chose to post a photo today of the outfit that people wear on 17th of May. If you thought the celebration of our national day stops with "just" a parade, you're wrong. We also have a national dress, called bunad, that we wear on special occasions. That is, those who don't come to the horrific realisation on 16th of May, that the bunad does not fit anymore!!! As you can see on the photo, the dresses have different colours and embroidery. This is because they symbolises different regions in Norway. Usually people choose their bunad after what region their family comes from, or where they live. (Check out this page for more pictures and information on our national dress)
A fun fact before I finish; We have our own bunad encyclopedia, making it able to learn more about the different dresses and the region they come from. As one region have many different dresses, this encyclopedia can be very handy!

Oslo Sentralstasjon

If you are ever going to Oslo, you will at some point find yourself in front of this building. This is Oslo Sentralstasjon (Oslo S), Oslo's central station. Its located in the bottom of Karl Johan Street, making it the most central station in Oslo. Here, train, buses, metro and trams meet, making Oslo S the largest station in the country, as well as the most traficated station, with 150 000 travellers per day

Politihuset

At Grønland, very close to the center of Oslo, Politihuset (the police house) looms on top of a little hill, surrounded with green grass on one side and Oslo Fengsel "Botsen" (Oslo Prison) on the other side. This building is the Oslo Police headquarter, has been since 1978. Over the police radio, units based at the headquarter uses the callsignal "Fox" or "Foxtrot"

The canopy

Right in front of the Nobel Peace Center at Aker Brygge (you can read an earlier post about this building here), this huge installation, the canopy, can be seen. It is design by the architect David Adjayes and made by Norsk Hydro (a Norwegian global supplier of aluminium and aluminium products) and recycled aluminium. The canopy is an artistic interpretation of the world map without borders, as borders are often the reason for conflict. Instead, the map is shown through a series of dots that represent places where the most people on the earth lives. According to the Nobel Peace Center's webpage on the subject, the canopy marks the start of Adjayes vision of a Nobel Peace Center as a world without borders, a place where the deliberate use of colours, sound, light and images will motivate and inspire the visitors to reflect on peace, war and conflict solving

I wish I was a cat

so I could sleep all day!! This week I've really been struggling to get up in the morning. This is my neighbour's cat. I usually find it sleeping by my door or in the middle of the staircase, like on this photo

In bloom

Not only do I love trees, I love when trees are in bloom! In Paris this weekend, there were trees everywhere in purple bloom. It was so beautiful! Here in Oslo, the trees still have a little to go before green, however I walked past this purple tree on my way home today. Perfect photo for today!

Rhyme

Found this verse on a building in Oslo's old town. Makes perfect rhyme in Norwegian, not so much in English.
"Thank you state for shelter and food; prison, isolation, anxiety and hate"
I think it is a very depressing rhyme, highlighting and describing a situation and feeling in our society we don't tend to talk much about

Visit Norway!

Beating the cloud of ash and closing airports just barely, I'm back home in Oslo after a long-weekend on holiday. The city I have been in, is not only my favourite city in the world, after Oslo of course, but also the city where Eric Tenin posts his daily photo's from. (His blog was by the way what inspired me to start this blog) Yes, im talking about Paris!! Therefore, I am going to deviate from the rules just once, and post a photo taken in Paris about Oslo and Norway. I have to admit, I felt a little proud being Norwegian when I walked past these commercial ads in the parisian metro. It does look really beautiful, doesn't it?!
For travel tips, check out visitnorway.com and visitoslo.com
Also, regardless if you have seen his blog already, or been in Paris a thousand times before, check out Eric Tenin's blog at www.parisdailyphoto.com

Multicultural Oslo

After two incredibly busy days, I'm back with a photo for today! Today I chose a photo of a very colorful building. The largest muslim community in Norway is the World Islamic Mission Norway, counting 6000 members. This is their mosque, known as Central Jam-e-Mosque or World Islamic Mission

Bus shed

Today's photo isn't very interesting, and there is not much to say about it. It is just an ordinary bus shed with colorful commercial ads on it, great for killing time whilst waiting for the bus

Theme Day & Labour Day

Today is my first theme day, and I decided that I wouldn't try to interpret today's theme "statues" more than necessary. As it is Labour Day today, my mum said I should post a photo of the statue of Rudolf Nilsen. Rudolf Nilsen is a Norwegian poet, known for his poems characterized by class struggles that occured in Norway and Oslo in the 1920's. For this, he is considered one of Norway's most important poets representing the workers.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Gold

This will be the last photo from my excursion in our Parliament Building, I promise. This is a photo of the roof in the White Hall, pretty nice!

Russeknute

When I came across these leavers in Karl Johan this afternoon, I just had to take a photo of them for today's post. This is just another example of the (stupid) things they have to do. Walking on all four from Oslo central train station (Oslo S) to the Royal Castle (about 1.5 km) gives you, not only lots of bruises, but also a shoelace to tie in your cap's tassel

Domus Media

The yellow buildings you can see on today's photo are two of the three old university buildings surrounding the University Square. The three buildings, named Domus Bibliotheca (on the left), Domus Media (in the middle) and Domus Academica (on the right outside the photo), are all a part of the University of Oslo. They were designed by Christian Heinrich Grosch and was completed in 1852. This make them the oldest university buildings in Norway. Today it is the University of Oslo's Faculty of Law and its students that houses these buildings.
The statue in the forground of today's photo is a statue of Ludvig Holberg, a famous Norwegian writer. It may look like the statue is a part of the University Square, although it is not. Between the statue and the university buildings and square, goes Karl Johan, Oslo's main street. The statue of Ludvig Holberg is actually erected next to the building that is Nationalteathret, the National Theatre, which is what I had my back against when I took this photo

Foam party!

As spring arrives, and the month of April passes by, more and more young people can be spotted in red baggy pants running around town blowing whistles. This phenomenon is the Norwegian "Russefeiring" (the high school leavers party), which basically is three weeks worth of partying all day and all night long. It starts in the end of April and lasts until the 17th of May, on our national day. Along with the red pants, a type of hat or cap belongs to the leavers "uniform." The hat/cap has a very long tassel where you can tie stuff to it. The things you tie on the tassel represents different (stupid) tasks you have done, like drinking 24 beers in 12 hours or eaten a big mac in 30 seconds. After a quick search online I found the leavers official website with an overwiev of all the tasks. I couldn't find "Pour dishwashing liquid into a fountain" but this fountain outside the Nationaltheatret (the National Theatre) has got the leavers 2010 written all over it.
These are the tasks www.russ.no

Svartemarja

My favourite museum to visit when I was a child was the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology. It was the only museum that managed to catch my attention for more than a few minutes at the time. I remember I loved running around looking at and playing with all the cool stuff they had on display. A few months back and for the first time since I was a child, I visited this museum again. Most of it was as I remembered, althought some things had changed. The section that had old bikes, cars, locomotives and airplanes on display were just the same. Today's photo is of one of the cars, one of Oslo's first police cars. In 1922 the Oslo police department bought their first three cars. They were nicknamed "Svartemarja" or "Black Mary" by the people in Oslo.
Check out www.tekniskmuseum.no

Tussilago Farfara

Just a quick post today, with a photo of one of the first flowers you can spot in spring time, the Tussilago farfara. In Norwegian its called Hestehov and in English Coltsfoot

Sky

If you walk up along Akerselva, a little river that runs through Oslo, you will at some point come across this house. I call it the cloud house (skyhuset), its "residents" calls it the skyskraper. The skyskraper houses several cooperating media, commercial and entertainment companies. This is their homepage www.skyskraper.no

Ibsen Sitat

The very famous Norwegian playwriter and poet, Henrik Ibsen, lived his last years in Arbins gate, here in Oslo. In 2006, the hundred year anniversary of his death was celebrated in Norway. Amongst a lot of things happening, one of the more permanent celebrations was the art project Ibsen Sitat (Ibsen Quote) by the Ibsen Foundation, www.ibsen-foundation.org This project took to engrave quotes from Ibsen’s plays and poetry into the pavement, all the way from Ibsen’s old flat in Arbins gate, along his daily route to the Grand Café in Karl Johan. As a way to involve people in this project, Ibsen Foundation opened up for everyone to choose their favourite quote and tell why they like it. Then the they would pick out the quotes that would be engraved. Today’s photo is of one of the quotes I really like: ”Sagen er den, ser I, at den stærkeste mand i verden, det er han som står mest alene” Translated, this would be something like: ”The fact is, as I see it, that the strongest man in the world, is he who stands most alone” This quote is from ”En Folkefiende,” one of Ibsen’s plays, and was sent in by by Marthe Abrahamsen. Here is her story behind the quote. Read more about the project at www.ibsen-foundation.org and www.ibsensitat.no

Toilet Scribbles

It is interesting how much stuff being written inside the cubicles at public toilets. At university there is plenty of people, which means there will be plenty of thoughts and meanings scribbled down. I am no big fan of Twilight, the movies, but seeing this the other day made me chuckle. "Because of Edward Cullen I will never find a man who will make me happy" I especially enjoyed what someone have added in red, "Pathetic"

Eidsvollsgalleriet

Another photo from inside the Parliament Building. People on the excurtion with me must have thought I was over the average interested!! This photo is taken in a room called Eidsvollsgalleriet (Eidsvoll's Gallery). The room has 22 paintings on display, all of them portraying important representatives that was chosen to take part in the founding of Norway's constitution on the 17th of May 1814 in Eidsvoll. Hence, the name of the room

Untuned Bell

On the tram the other day I noticed a long wooden poster-wall at Tullinløkka, a little square in Oslo. It was covered with lots of colorful posters, and I decided to walk back past it to see if I could get a cool photo for the blog. When I got there I quickly found out that the poster-wall is part of an art project by KORO (art in the public sphere) and the artist A K Dolven. You can read more about the project here
Quickly explained, Dolven has taken the 1,5 tonnes bell that once was removed from Oslo City Hall because it was out of tune with the other 48 bells, and installed in the air at Tullinløkka. If you step on the pedal on the ground underneath it, it will sound again. I have to admit, I neither stepped on the pedal nor tilt my head back to look at the bell, due to a bright shiny sun and a slight headache, but I took my time to study the poster-wall. Since Tullinløkka used to be a central meeting place in Olso, used for public gatherings and manifestations, the project of Untuned Bell wants to reclaim the area’s history. On the poster-wall people are given the chance to air their opinions and draw attention to matters they find imporant. As you can see, it is covered with children’s drawings and notes, political posters and exclamations, old news paper articles, even graffiti. ”Untuned Bell calls each individual to make a sound for the untuned, and to voice their opinion about the general attitude towards deviation from norms that exist in our world.” You have until the 31st of May! Read more about KORO on their web pages www.koro.no

Flower market

Today's photo is of the flower market at Stortorvet, a little square in the centre of Oslo. In the background you can see the spire of Oslo Dome Church. The church is in fact re-opening today after three years of repair and restoration

Skiføre

There is this shop I sometimes find myself in, not because of the clothes they sell, but because of all the little trinkets they have for sale in the room furtherst in. The other day I suddenly was in this shop again, standing amongst pieces of lavender and mint soap, bath salt, ceramics for the kitchen and other design pieces. Then I noticed something I haven't seen there before; Even further into the shop, they've opened up a set of doors leading to another huge room, which serves as a gallery. I walked in and got mesmerized by the paintings there, almost all of them depicting Norwegian winter landscape and for a second I found myself starting to miss winter.. I especially liked the painting I'm posting today. I haven't managed to find any decent web pages that says anything about the artist, I only have a phamplet from the shop. But, he must be mentioned, his name is Kjetil Haaland

Friday equals beer??

Finally its Friday, and as my fellow students and I recieved our monthly student loan a few days ago, this particular Friday equals beer! So I thought this photo was a suitable one for today. Ringnes is Norway’s largest brewery and has a 130 year long history. The brewery was established by the brothers Amund and Ellef Ringnes in 1876. Today’s photo is of the entrance of what used to be Ringnes’ brewery. The beer production was moved from this building to a new and more modern brewery outside of Oslo in 2001. Today, this is the site of Ringnes' main office. Read more about beer and Ringnes on www.ringnes.no

R&R

Surrounding the Royal Castle, Slottsparken is one of Oslo's many green lungs. It connects Oslo's main street, Karl Johan, with the western suburbs. Today's photo shows the north-western end of the park, where the street Hegdehaugsveien starts, only to continue into Bogstadveien further west, which is one of Oslo's major fashion shopping street. Take the metro to Majorstua, work your way down towards the city centre along Bogstadveien, shop till you drop, and Slottsparken is the perfect spot for some r&r aftwards

White Hall

This is the red White Hall inside the Norwegian Parliament Building. This is where the 169 representatives/members meet for discussions. The Parliament Building was designed by the architect Emil Victor Langlet, and inaugurated March 5th 1866. As well as the building itself, Langlet also designed the White Hall. He was inspired by Norwegian nature, the pillars are made from Norwegian oak, and he used motifs from Norwegian Stave Churches/Medieval Wooden Churches

"SKRIK"

This is the view of Oslo from the road to Ekebergsletta. This view was the inspiration behind the landscape in what probably is the norwegian painter Edvard Munch's most famous painting "Skrik," painted in Berlin in 1893

Hokus Pokus

In Oslo's old town, Gamlebyen, there is a skate park with a legal graffiti wall surrounding it. Its not just the flowers that comes out in spring, yesterday a girl was there painting the walls with graffiti and a numerous of skaters enjoying a nice day out

Spring is here!

After a little rainy period, the sun is out and so are the flowers! This is a sure sign of spring and I have celebrated with an ice cream out in the sunny weather!

A different world

I have been very lucky to have travelled a lot and experienced not only many different countries and cultures, but also fantastic views of mountains, lakes, beaches, waterfalls, forests etc. At some point through my travelling I realized that if I don't stop, in the middle of hiking the Inka Trail in Peru for example, and take a moment to look back to where I came from every now and then, I would not only miss out on views that could be even more fantastic than the views I had right in front of me, but I would also miss out on experiencing my surroundings and travelling in a different way than I else would. Now, wherever I am, I always take time to stop and turn around to see how the world looks like behind me. So I did the other day during the excursion to the Parliament Building. Whilst in Stortingssalen (the White Hall) when everyone was looking towards the front, I stopped, turned around and peeked out the windows. It was very interesting to get this view over the main street in Oslo, Karl Johan's gate. I don't think I've ever seen it from another angle than street level. The yellow building you can see in the far back is the norwegian castle, Slottet, and the little round square in the front is Eidsvolls Plass

Pink moss

An old wall covered in moss and pink graffiti close to the Medieval Ruin Park. I like the colours and contrast between the pink and green

Frihetens søstre

Today I attended an excursion to the Norwegian Parliament Building, Stortinget. It occured to me that the building is hosting lots and lots of artwork either paintings, weavings or mosaics. Today's photo is taken in the hall right inside the main entrance. It's called "Frihetens søstre" (Sisters of freedom), and it's painted by Arne Ekeland. It took three versions of this painting, painted in 1938, 1958 and 1964, before it was "approved" by Stortinget and put up on the wall in 1991. The reason for this, our guide told us, was because Ekeland was a communist, and it's not until after his death his art is appreciated

Bysykkel

On my way to a friend of mine this afternoon, I noticed that they were putting the city bikes out for the season. I thought that could be something to blog, as it is a really good way for Oslo citizens to get in shape and to treat our environment a little better. It only costs 80 kroner for the season, starting today. If you are a tourist, they tell you on their web page where to go for more information. www.oslobysykkel.no

Something to do!

This tip might come four public holidays too late or a few months too early, but if you need something to do on a day when everything is closed, try the Natural History Museum and botanical garden at Tøyen. This is the museums homepage, www.nhm.uio.no Today's photo is from the entrance in Jens Bjelkes gate