Bits and Bobs
This week was filled with bits and bobs or small things of different types, as people in the UK and our tour guide, Tøve, say. There was no one thing in particular that stood out to me this week, but rather many smaller events and interactions that together made my time here in Norway so enjoyable.
Bosted (residency). On Monday, I went to the police station to have my photo and fingerprints taken, requirements for my temporary residency permit. I also received my Norwegian ID number so I can finally open a bank account! There are many rules and regulations to gain permission to live here, and I respect them and the process. I celebrated this little milestone with a visit to a new bakery and enjoyed a ‘cube’ pastry and dobbelt latte, kaffenfri, med havre melk (double-latte, caffeine free, with oat milk). Small joys.
Skulpturer (sculptures). If you’ve ever visited Oslo, you know that there are sculptures EVERYWHERE. Norway has the second highest percentage of female sculptures, only behind England that includes multiple sculptures of Queen Elizabeth. However, the Cecile sculpture, in Spikersuppa, is a particularly special one because it is the first of its kind to represent a woman with incurable breast cancer. Cecile was diagnosed at age 42 and passed away in 2023. While there is loss and sadness depicted in the sculpture, there is also representation and awareness.
Cecile sculpture in central Oslo.
Kafeer (cafes). I regularly attend the local café’s Frokost Klubben (breakfast club) to meet new people. Last week, I was feeling frustrated by my level of Norwegian, but this week I approached the café with a can-do attitude. I sat with two musicians who patiently spoke with me in Norwegian and talked about their upcoming new music album- an invited me to attend their March concert. As I was leaving, someone whom I met at my first visit to Frokost Klubben approached me for a warm embrace and invitation to chat later.
Hjem (homes). In addition to the kindness shown me at the café, I was invited by a teacher to their home for a family supper. I took an hour bus ride to the neighborhood stop and was warmly welcomed into the home by the teacher, wife, and their two children. Wonderful food was served and becuase the children spoke Norwegian and Spanish, we spoke primarily in Spanish. For dessert, to the kids’ delight, we had a cake from W.B. Sampson- very fancy! It was fun to see a suburban community and get outside of the city for a while. The next day, the family emailed some links for recommended restaurants and activities in Oslo.
Museer (museums). There is something about museums here, the complexity woven through simplicity. Displays have minimal ‘things’ but they speak volumes. I was joined by other Rovers at the Maritime Museum and Folk Museum for private tours with directors, Sven and Tøne. Sven talked and walked us through the maritime building and archaeological exhibits. Information about tobacco trade (to include participation in the trade of enslaved people) and tragedies of World War II were interesting to learn. At the Folk Museum, we visited the Stave church and learned about the history and intricacies of the building from a historical expert there. Information from these exhibits will be used to enhance my ungdomsskole (lower secondary) presentations.
Vær (weather). While walking from one museum to the other, I had mentioned to Sven that there was not nearly the amount of wind here like there is in Minnesota. Famous last words. As I walked home from the train station, there was a sign outside the Royal Palace that said, “Sterk vind vær varson” which means strong wind weather forecast. I brushed it off but thought it was interesting for the palace to post such a note in the garden. However, the next day I learned that there can indeed be wild winds in Oslo. A new umbrella is on my shopping list for this week…
Hvise (rest). After last week’s long walks, my knees revolted against any lengthy strolls this week. Normally I would push through the pain and continue on, as-is. However, this week, I decided to hunker down and devote extra attention to my college students, Norwegian studies, and second textbook proposal. I’m grateful for the opportunity to physically rest.
There were many little things to notice and appreciate this week- even the little nob on a door handle; a small and efficient door stop. There’s no pushing it aside or trying to find an inclined plane like we do in the US; this doorstop takes up minimal space and is always there when needed. For the many bits and bobs of Norway this week, I am grateful.
