Beach Day

HUK beach that is!
As soon as the sun streaked into my window this morning I knew where I was headed. Quickly I grabbed my things, made a quick breakfast and headed out the door. I caught the T-bana, then the bus. The travel took me around 45 minutes.

Today was a perfect beach day, it was in the mid-70's. Huk beach is the most famous beach in Oslo and this became more and more obvious as the day went on. The beach was filled with people! There was a nude section and a clothing required section. Of course being who I am I chose the nude section. Haha, Just kidding. I've learned that only old saggy men and weirdo's venture there.



The beach overlooked the harbor and the Oslo Fjord. Plenty of cruise ships, sailboats, and even a party boat bound for Germany passed. Once again someone struck up a conversation with me. So I spent the afternoon in the sun with a native Norwegian who had just found his first job as a high school chemistry teacher. An interesting day I must say. He stressed the need for me to see the Norther Lights in Norway before I leave. HOW AMAZING WOULD THAT BE!
On the way home I stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some things for supper. It is difficult making decent meals for 1 person. Tonight I decided to make Hobo dinners. I was so thankful for once to have something other than bread and jam.

Friday, August 6th:
*Goteburg SWEDEN

Thrilled that my alarm clock actually worked, I woke up at 5:30 am. Instantly I got on my laptop to check if anyone had written to me. For awhile I was confused as to why so many people were online at such an unearthly hour. Ha, but then I realized it was only 10:30 pm in Minnesota and that no one had even slept yet. After a quick breakfast of an egg and some bread I headed to the train station. Still dark and drizziling the weather wasn't ideal, but I was excited to get out for a change. I boarded a train at 7:00 am and sat in the dining area in fear that I would have to move from a reserved seat. Luckily there was complimentary coffee onboard so I was able to enjoy the passing scenery as the sun rose. The houses are all the same style and 1 0f 4 shades, barn red, mustard yellow, navy blue, or white. Their shingles are all tin. Together with rolling fields of grasses tumbled with rocky stubbles and sparkling fjords, the view from my seat is breathtaking. I keep having to remind myslef of how lucky I am to be here.

I am amazed as to the amount of which American culture has seeped into Scandinavia. I couldn't help but giggle as I watched a grandmother giver her granddaughter car shaped crackers, the box reading "Pimp my Ride". If only she knew what that really meant. The grandaughter about 6 was also reading a teen magazine with no one other than Miley Cyrus on the cover. More than one Justin Bieber song played in H&M as I tried on a heap of clothes. When one looks down it's impossible not to notice everyone has the same shoes on. It's a pandemic of Converse shoes! Both men and women alike adore them especially in the shade of white. In fact the couple sitting across from me on the train both have them on. I also found Ramen noodles here, although they are called "American soup". HAHA
I guess I was hoping to be surrounded by a new pop culture here, but instead I'm stuck with Miley and Justin :/
The purpose of my trip today was specifically for shopping... and that is what I did. I literally shopped 'til I dropped. It's a little bit cheaper here in Sweden:
100 SEK = $13
100 NOK = $16.50
And for that reason I have changed my mind about Sweden, I LOVE SWEDEN!


I've been driving myself crazy looking for a pair of Modhea Swedish made clogs. I want a pair sooo bad. A high-heeled pair in black with a closed toe. I went to probably 20 shoe stores today asking about them. Of course they only have green or a size smaller than I need. May the search continue next week.

On the trip back from Oslo I sat next to Micheal from the Czech Republic. We had an interesting conversation about education and he gave me a bunch of travel pointers and tips for students living in Norway as he was one himself. Now we're Facebook friends so hopefully this fall as I make my way through Poland we can meet up again somewhere. I have found that if you look willing to talk, people will talk. The conversations that result are amazing, nothing close to anything that has happened to me in the states. I am so grateful to be learning so much about not only Europe but myself from the people around me.

Considering a flight home

Today was probably them most boring day I've ever had in my entire life. I didn't leave my room more than twice and then I just went to the bathroom or ate something in the kitchen. I spent the entire day looking for cheap flights with in Europe and reading. UGH! I did try some interesting foods though. My suite mates made green pea soup last night. I guess they usually serve it as a desert. It was quite good, although I'm not sure I would consider it desert. I also tried a BBQ jerky thing they had. Every time they offer me food I'm like "uh... what is it?". All of my suite mates are leaving for Greece tonight. I wish more than anything I could join them.
Tomorrow I'm planning a trip to Gothenburg Sweden to go shopping and get out for a bit. I'm not looking forward to traveling alone. One week and hopefully I'll meet some friends.

This was my day today

After Skyping my family and Ben into the wee hours of the morning I woke up a little groggy, but the sun was shinning. Today was going to be a good day. Things are finally starting to look better. I'm not as scared anymore. If anything I'm most worried about the expense of being in Norway. The prices here are outrageous!
I finally met some people yesterday. I am so happy to be with people again, and people I like. There are 2 girls and 2 guys from Singapore living in my suite with me now. It's odd because when I walk around with them people assume that I am their tour guide or something. They will always approach me in Norwegian. It's also a great time learning about more than one culture along the way. Now when something is purchased it's converted into both USD and pounds. I went to Ikea with them and then we walked around for a bit downtown.




This morning we all went downtown Oslo again to run some errands. We waited in line for 4 hours at the police station to have our visas approved! We also looked at phone plans. That means I need a phone... the cheapest I can get over here runs about $50. Tomorrow I think I might go into the international district and look for some sketchy ones that would be a little bit cheaper, but probably stolen. We went to Subway for lunch. Kind of ridiculous, but cheap. Tonight I am exhausted from walking around all day. My suite mates are all leaving for Greece and Rome tomorrow. I wish I could go with. The cheapest ticket I could find was $250. Ugh... I guess I'll just sit around for awhile longer. They're planning a trip to Oktoberfest in a month though. I am definitely joining that one!
Even though it's only 8:30 I think I'm heading to bed. I wish I could talk to you all.

Strength in numbers

After Valerie and Jill left things are different. My confidence is gone. After they got on the plane I cried. I've never been so scared. I feel completely alone here. That night I stayed in a hostel. I had a bed in an 8 bed room. There were other people that were staying there too, a girl from Russia, an Italian couple, and a guy from Brazil. I chatted with them for a while and then fell asleep. Surprisingly it was the best sleep I've had since we left Kristiansand. I was really glad that I hadn't decided just to sleep in the train station. The hostel really wasn't that bad. Unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood to meet new people that night.
In the morning I got up and got my things that I had stored in a luggage locker at the train station. From there I boarded a train and went North to Kringjsa student village. I waited in line for 2 hours to get my keys. 2 hours of being hungry, smelly, and tired. On my way to my room I met a man named Walter from Cameroon. He was kind enough to help me carry my luggage, on his head, to the 4th floor. The room was disgusting! There was no plumbing and it smelled so bad I had to plug my nose. Unhappy at this point I marched back to the reception office and they gave me a new room. Much better. The room is smaller than my room at home and will be shared with another person. We have a bookshelf, desk, and 2 small drawers. There is no closet. The kitchen and the bathroom are in the hall. It's not bad, but extremely creepy with no one else in the entire building. I turned on all the lights and it's gunna stay that way. After getting settled I headed to the grocery store and got some hot dogs, bread, and spaghetti.

The Kitchen:




The Bathroom:


The Bedroom:



Later I caught a free shuttle to IKEA from downtown Oslo. I got 3 pots, a fry pan, a cup, a plate, a bowl, silver ware, cooking utensils, a pillow, and tupperware for $50. Unfortunately, when I returned here I realized 1/2 of it was missing... Great! So another trip there is in the making. My first night here was fine after getting on the Internet. I needed so badly to talk to someone. I started crying because I couldn't figure out how to get the Internet, eventually I ran to the store and they figured it out for me.
This morning I woke up feeling that I was in my own bed. Nope. Trying to conserve food I waited until late to make pancakes with jam. Now what to do for the day...

Saturday is Oslo:
This morning we went to Vigeland Sculpture Park. Hundreds of marble and metal human statues greeted us along with the sun. A swarm of tourists overwhelmed the park making an amazing snapshot difficult. We were all a little tired and achy, but I wish I could’ve stood before every statue to ponder the thought that went into the emotions expressed in each piece. Maybe another day.






There are close to no tourist shops here in Oslo. The few there are sell t-shirts that are hardly spelt correct, magnets losing their glue, and $8 shot glasses. The others are so expensive we can hardly afford to walk in the door.
There was one store all 3 of us were very fond of though, Indiskus. It is a shop with global inspired clothing and home furnishings for women. Jill and Valerie both bought some dresses, jewelry, and oversized mugs.


Tired out we returned to the hotel. We took a 3 hour nap and then decided to go out for dinner again at our favorite resteraunt, Peppe’s Pizza. Once again we ordered the same pizza. The grand finale was a dessert of ice cream! Soon ,the guy sitting next to us began talking to us and offered a round of beers. Why not? Things got weird faster than expected, so while he was in the bathroom we bolted out the door. Haha, Once again on the run.

Now we’re in for the night prepairing for their trip tomorrow.
Today was the last day we would all be together in Oslo. Every time I think about them leaving my eyes become a little wet. Their plane leaves at 2:45 pm. I’m going to ride the train there with them and then return solo. I’m scared of being here in the city alone. I’ll have to walk alone, eat alone, and drag my stuff alone. Here a new journey starts.