(no subject)
Oslo is breathtaking in spring. Trees in bloom, tiny birch leaves in green that boarders on neon, and the light is finally back. Every year, the transformation from bleak late winter to spring is a stunning surprise. I had a nearly religious Oslo experience a few days ago, which brought this on, at a breakfast lecture held by one of the big law firms. Their offices are at the top of one of the very few properly tall buildings here, and overlooks the fjord and the city. Looking out at the water, seeing the ferries pass between Rådhuset and Bygdøy, I remembered why I love Oslo. And later, walking through the city on my way home. I love cities, I don't think I could ever live in the country for any stretch of time.
The 17th of May (fondly known in English as 'Norway Day', really Norwegian Constitution Day) passed uneventfully. I was invited to a breakfast, but I woke up half an hour before I was supposed to arrive. And, as I am spending a week dog-sitting for my parents, I had to walk the dog first. So, no breakfast for me. But I did manage a long walk with Anton, got dressed in my bunad and went to Kristine and Are's for a hot dog party. The drawback of bunads is that they are all made with several layers of heavy wool, mine is no exception. And the 17th of May was scorching this year, the first really hot day of the year. I hung out of Kristine's window, trying to catch a draft. Pernille, who has a handy underskirt, took of her bunad and ran around in underskirt and blouse. The rest of us had to make do with hiking up our skirts and taking of our shoes. We had too much champagne, too many hot dogs; blisters and a headache to show for it all in the morning.
Saturday had nearly 30 degrees in the shade, I had a hangover and a dog to walk. I walked Anton, and braved grocery shopping. With half the population of Oslo, I spent 20 minutes in line. Today I slept in, made a huge breakfast, tried and failed to read law, walked Anton and cooked dinner. Where has the day gone?
The 17th of May (fondly known in English as 'Norway Day', really Norwegian Constitution Day) passed uneventfully. I was invited to a breakfast, but I woke up half an hour before I was supposed to arrive. And, as I am spending a week dog-sitting for my parents, I had to walk the dog first. So, no breakfast for me. But I did manage a long walk with Anton, got dressed in my bunad and went to Kristine and Are's for a hot dog party. The drawback of bunads is that they are all made with several layers of heavy wool, mine is no exception. And the 17th of May was scorching this year, the first really hot day of the year. I hung out of Kristine's window, trying to catch a draft. Pernille, who has a handy underskirt, took of her bunad and ran around in underskirt and blouse. The rest of us had to make do with hiking up our skirts and taking of our shoes. We had too much champagne, too many hot dogs; blisters and a headache to show for it all in the morning.
Saturday had nearly 30 degrees in the shade, I had a hangover and a dog to walk. I walked Anton, and braved grocery shopping. With half the population of Oslo, I spent 20 minutes in line. Today I slept in, made a huge breakfast, tried and failed to read law, walked Anton and cooked dinner. Where has the day gone?