Monday, June 1, 2009

Summer in Oslo



The above picture is actually from Bergen, in the Spring. I hope it fooled you! No! It is NOT cold and misty here at all!

It's been awhile, and it's summer here. In between the last time I wrote and now, my friend Jane came to visit, and we had loads of fun.






Then I went to a conference and got the flu, but still had loads of science fun and got to see my friend Sara!



Then I went to Baltimore and had hay fever and more fun! Got to see my wonderful family and friends also. Reminder: Oslo is not actually located in the past/in a fairyland/near the North pole/in Viking Times, contrary to popular belief. It is a modern capital city, and most major airlines offer daily flights. Just to remind you.




The days are so long that I repent for always wishing for those extra 6 hours of daylight with which I could do innumerable things. I fall asleep when the sky is a dull blue, and I wake up to bright sunshine, and a confused cat, who has been waiting for food since 3:40 am.

It is calm and beautiful here. It is difficult to recognize the Winter city I got used to, so I will stop trying and just enjoy the way things are now, I guess. I have been going to the park with friends and alone, and each time is like attending some sort of outdoor festival, where the main festive event is grilling and playing football/frisbee/bocce/laying there/eating. So, like a basic day in the park. Except the people density is like we're all laying on the ground at Jazzfest in front of the Acura stage. Oslo is not playing around with its enjoyment of summer and vitamin D stores - bring a blanket and edge your way onto the sunny lawn.



I like how people are just full-out sleeping mostly naked in the park, shoes and possessions strewn around them carelessly...by people, I mean myself, of course. It is a nice time. Work is busy but good - the fjord is looking pretty sparkly (see picture above), so I walk that way from the bus to work.

Victor is fur-cleaning full time these days.