Oslo Day 1

I arrived in Oslo for a conference as the Nobel Peace Center sponsored by the NCHC.   I was so excited to get to see the city and learn more about the work at the Nobel Peace Center. The conference put us up in style at the Bristol Hotel in the heart of the city. 

My room is facing west at this is at 9:30 pm.  Sunset is 10:15 pm and sunrise is 4:15 am.  Thank goodness for blackout curtains.

View from my window

Anything you could possibly want for breakfast was available and delicious!

Beautiful old fashioned lobby.  Opened in 1920. 

The hotel was the most modern and luxurious establishment Oslo had to offer. At a construction cost of NOK 4 million, it was the most expensive hotel in the country, and the only hotel in Norway providing both hot and cold water in its rooms. It had 100 rooms and around 200 employees – including floor managers, craftsmen, painters, its own orchestra conductor and a heating supervisor with responsibility for the coal heating system in the building.

Quick Visit to Bournemouth

Got to pay a visit to Delaney this May just as a heat wave hit the UK.  It was 85 F without any AC in site.  We went to the beach of course!  We also enjoyed the Russell-Cotes Museum. 

Visiting United Reformed Church on Pentecost

Crazy flavors of oreos at a local Asian food store

Sandy Banks beach

Boscombe Pier on a bank holiday- so crowded!

On the ferry

Sandy Banks

Russell-Cotes House/Museum

Opening a love letter sent by carrier pigeon

Flower fairies by Cecily Mary Barker 

Bournemouth Pier

Hasta Luego, Cuba!

On our way to the airport in Santa Clara we took time to go by the museum to Che Guevara, Marxist revolutionary.  Apparently it is an interesting museum, but it was closed on the day we visited, so we just got to see his sculpture.  Maybe next time...

Our Kansas and Texas groups

Lovely sunset.

Last Day

After a generous and delicious lunch with some of the leaders in the congregation, we had the opportunity to wander through town to see what we could discover. 

There was one divided street nearby that ran the length of town with an elevated walk lined by trees in the center. We walked almost to the edge of town and back. I always like to look for the pretty, even in the midst of the not so beautiful. The more closely you look, the more interesting things you see. Chickens, lots of dogs (the cats came out in the evenings and were harder to spot), boys playing a pick up game of soccer, the local baseball field/stadium, lots of pretty cool but run-down architecture, and kids rollerblading in the city square.  

Boys playing soccer in the central walkway with branches supported by rocks for the goals

Looking over the wall into the old baseball stadium (below)

I loved the spiral stair on the right side of the building

Lots of kids were skating in the central square park. 

The two below were sharing a pair of skates, each has one on - ha!

Lots of legacy things to see in the town.  It's like going back in a time machine.  

I've no idea of this worked or not.

Really cool metal sculpture made from misc. old parts. 

One of my favorites - clean vibrant colors. 

Hello rooster!

At the end of the afternoon, we stopped into the local Harry Potter-themed cafe. It was definitely the hangout place for the under 20. I couldn't believe the cute curly pink straws in all the drinks! 

There are rocking chairs everywhere, on every porch, in living rooms, etc. I had the idea of taking photos of all the different styles, but thought of it too late to show all of them.

We had been watching people ride in the horse drawn 'coches' all week, and finally got the chance to ride in them before climbing in bus to go to the airport. A fun, quick ride down the street!

Sunday Market and worship

Our last full day in the country was Sunday. The street that we had been walking between our hostess' house and the church becomes an open market on Sunday mornings, so we got to walk the full length looking at various (mostly food) products for sale. Pineapple, tubers, spice packets, eggs, very fresh meat, cooking pots, garlic, onions, and toothpaste (among other items)! The church members said sometimes they had to close the windows on that side of the sanctuary because the market was so loud, but that was not the case on this Sunday. 

Very fresh meat

Sweet potatos

Leather goods

Spices in small packets

Sunday worship with our friends was wonderful. They invited to participate in multiple parts of the service, singing, reading scripture, serving communion, and symbolically building the friend of friendship that we had worked on through the week. We were greeted with so many hugs and air kisses all week, that I totally freaked out a university colleague when I offered them a quick embrace at a business dinner after my return. Shaking hands felt decidedly more formal and cold.

Our finished Bridge of friendship.