February 16, 2007
In Oslo's Port
Oslo, Norway
"The city was quiet, sleepy, maybe even dead."
Oslo. No doubt about it; this city name once evoked
something really exotic, something calling me, something I had to see.
After an overnight "cruise" to the country of my extremely far-related
ancestors (the Norsemen), I finally set foot on the Norwegian soil and realized
that something was terribly wrong...or had to be wrong. The port was empty.
Completely empty. I had never sailed into a port where no busses, taxis
or family members were waiting for people. Yet, all the passengers quickly
disappeared (who knows where?), and once we tried to venture into the streets
(no signs, no tourist office, no people to ask directions from) we realized
it was even worse. No cars, no pedestrians, no bicycles, no nothing. It
was like a ghost city. It felt like there had been a public announcement
minutes before our arrival, alerting people to hide and close all windows
because of a nuclear reactor meltdown. The city was quiet, sleepy, maybe
even dead. We thus ventured into the more touristic area (Akershus castle)
and the only human being was an Asian guard who actually smiled at us. He
either was badly trained or must have been darn happy to see other survivors
of my imagined nuclear disaster. Even the main strip wasn't much more lively. Everything
was closed down and only other tourists seemed to be wandering about. Miles
of walking finally led us to where everybody was: Vigeland Park! Why where
they all there? They probably were doing a thesis on why Mr. Vigeland only
scultped naked people playing, kicking and embracing once other.
To this day, Ken is still traumatised I brought
him in there. I must admit, it's quite unusual, quite destabilizing and
maybe even shocking to see such art, but it still seems to be the place
to be when in Oslo!
February 16, 2007: Yes, all these men are naked and playing with kids, other men, you name it!
Vigeland Park
Oslo, Norway
February 16, 2007
View of Oslo's Port
Oslo, Norway
February 16, 2007
Vigeland Park
Oslo, Norway