Hello. I've just gotten back from Norway about 15 hours ago, now that I am starting to write this (will finish later some time since now that I am back I have basic responsibilities such as go to uni, work and actually do stuff adults do). And I'm so... yeah. Well. As probably quite a lot of you know, I don't travel that much, having no means for it. But this time, for this trip, I had been preparing from... basically from April, after Aylin got us the Raske Menn tickets. While being in Norway herself for a school trip. So. Yes. Norway.

Wednesday, 21st of October

PLAAANE VIEW

Me and Aylin were both going to Oslo on 21st of October, so Wednesday. She arrived a bit earlier, but not much, and also, my plane did as well, almost 15 minutes. It was my second time flying and it was awesome! I flew to Oslo with Norwegian airlines, and even though I didn't actually have a window seat, there was this nice Norwegian couple who told me I can sit next to the window, they slept the whole way anyway, even though we had such bad turbulence and they announced something in Norwegian, I remember thinking that "if I die, I don't even know why" :'D. But I arrived safely!

Reunited again since August!

Aylin was waiting so together we took the train to Oslo Centralstation (Oslo S) and from there she figured out how to get to the flat we had rented via airbnb (which I totally recommend). Our's was so nice, just lik 10-15 minutes by tram, in a nice and quiet area. The host guy was super nice as well, telling us what to do, how to get around etc. We put our stuff there, sat for a bit, I took a bunch of pictures (come on, we had a balcony, it rocked (not literally)!) and then went out to meet Aylin's friend Janika who is currently studying in Oslo for one semester.

We met near the National Theater and went to sit in the Espresso House, because it was nice and if you wanted a large cup of coffee, you literally got a large cup of coffee. I think we were there for a couple of hours before heading back home, being quite tired and we wanted to have the museum day the next day. Before that Janika took us to some store (Norwegian stores never fail to impress me, you guys have fruits and vegetables outside???).

Thursday, 22nd of October

First morning in the flat

The next morning we got up quite early because neither of us could really sleep and so we saw the sunrise and everything. Then had nice breakfast and got ready to go and start with exploring the city. Since I really wanted to visit the Munch museum, we took a tram to Oslo S and metro from there to the right place. Munch museum was so great, I was impressed and amazed by how well everything was set up; they had a special exhibition so most of the stuff was Munch AND Vigeland, all of his sculptures next to Munch's sketches! (We later went to Vigeland sculpture park and saw these in real size as well!). Anyway. Moving on.

Munch museum

From there we headed to Natural History museum to see mainly the T-Rex, but other things were cool as well. And so many kids! Also the weather was amazing, it was about 16 degrees so you really didn't even need a jacket. There were a lot of other animals, including peacock Anders and some foxes. Yes. Good. I can totally start writing museum guides in addition to my comedy career if I fail in law.

It was so colourful!

Big and scary

Then from there we took the metro back to Oslo S and walked to Aker Brygge to see for tomorrow where the Latter was, and visit Nobel Peace Center before taking a boat to the musem area (which we couldn't do after all, because it was a summer thing and they didn't have boats there anymore). Nobel Peace Center is a place where you can rather read stuff than to just see stuff, but it was still interesting. The first floor caused super depressing feelings, though, so beware. Other than that, it was super small but very well done and interesting.

Then we decided to have some coffee and something to eat in an Espresso House once again, and since it was sunny, we were sitting outside and it was so amazing. Looking at the port and sun and no worries and just... so much good things around you in general, not to mention the company.

So noble

Aker Brygge

After that we just walked around there a little more before heading to the bus stop to go to Bygdøy area where there are a lot of different museums. We were actually just outside for a bit enjoying the view at first, before we started with Kon-Tiki one, where I obviously couldn't stop quoting "world history in five minutes" ft. Thor Heyerdahl. I think Aylin was so done with me and stopped walking or walked away from me every time I just said as much as "hello" :'D

Framous place called Fram ft. Aylin

Then the next place was Fram, about what my flatmate had told me nice things, so we went there. It was basically a ship for polar expeditions. It was indeed amazing! It had some games as well, one where you could compete the other and I actually pulled a muscle in my leg trying to beat Aylin who was so much better than me! Refelxes are not my thing. Anyway, there were some kids playing some Titanic game or something, but it was so nice! The hall was kind of dark, but you could literally walk around on the ship and look inside and everywhere. Probably my favourite museum we were to!

Some more of Fram

After that we quickly dropped by Maritime museum, but it was closing in 20 minutes, but since we had Oslo passes anyway, we figured we'd give it a look around. It wasn't too exciting, but still, nice to say we were there.

Then we took the bus back, wanting to visit the Viking Ships museum and Folkmuseum, but they were already closed, since it isn't tourism time anymore and they closed at 4 already. :( But, as my mum said, if I ever happen to go back, I have more places to visit. Yeah... If I ever would (nope, I haven't even mentioned February, whoops).

We finally went back to the Oslo S and decided to go and see the opera house, because we still hadn't done that and it was probably the place I was most excited about, sightseeing-touristy wise! I was not disappointed, because even from far it looked amazing and I wanted to run on top of it. Really, it's an architecture masterpiece, that much I can tell you. It was sunny as well, so everything was even more amazing. Really, I can't describe that; so many different blue colours and the feeling and everything. It was just so great. And I just could be happy sitting on top of it for all day. No joke.

Hipster enjoying beauty

We were planning to go to definitely see Crimson Peak in Oslo, so that's what we did next. Went  to Saga cinema, but I tell you... what the heck Norwegians. I'm a spolt Estonian movie-theater wise it appears, because I've never seen such a sad cinema! But no big deal. The movie itself was still very good and not actually scary, just a bit... jumpy. I already saw it again in Estonia as well and I suggest if you like the theme or Tom Hiddleston then definitely just go for it.

After that it was already dark, but before going home, we were just wondering around, ending up at the opera house again. It was so nice in the dark with barely any people, I think we just saw like 3-4. And the sight! I mean, Tallinn is not that small town, biggest in Estonia, but you never see so many lights and so much... so much something that makes you feel small but happy at the same time. I love looking at city lights. And this was the perfect spot. We could even see Holmenkollen ski jump tower from there, especially well in the dark. We were listening to Bad Law by Sondre on top of the Oslo opera house. :)

From top of the opera house!

Of course I was making so much stupid jokes Aylin refused to move at one point and I got even more frustrated... but it was funny. I don't know how she managed to bear with me all this time.

From there we finally decided to go home and I did such a good job finding the right tram stop (I suck at getting around in places so I was really terrified) and we got on a tram... for exactly 2 stops. Because then it stopped and we were just left... somewhere. Aylin talked to the tram driver after everyone had gotten off and he said there are some roadworks and we can just walk 2 stops and get on another tram from there.

Well.

Walking around in the dark Oslo at that time, having just a map... it is not as simple as it sounds like. Even if you follow the tram tracks, mind you! Buut finally we almost just by luck ended up in the right place and got home to have some pasta because I was starving.

Friday, 23rd of October

Finally Friday... the day of the Raske Menn... but that comes later. Also... you know the feeling of waking up on a trip and only few days have passed and you still have so much time to do stuff and see stuff and meet people and enjoy the company? Yeah. Everyone should feel like this at all times.

We had decided to go and see Holmenkollen ski jump tower so that's the first place we headed in the morning. We had to take a metro and it was honestly amazing, the train just went up and up to the mountains and all the views were soooo beautiful! Just being on that train would have been enough, but things just got better as we finally reached to Holmenkollen. We got off the train and walked for a bit, breathing everything in.

Holmenkollen!

It was super nice, weather was warm and sunny yet again. First, we just walked around in the ski museum, it had a pool with white balls for kids and we were definitely kids. There were all kinds of ski equipment from different time periods and everything. And then we somehow ended up in one auditiorium and watched a short movie about auroras there as well. It was great, interesting and it was nice to just sit like this for a while. Not to mention it really made me want to go and hunt them. Like... to take pictures, even though I obviously don't know anything about photography.

What a sight!

Then we actually got up to the tower, there were two places/levels, first to look down from where the ski jumpers actually do their scary thing and then even more up, that made you feel as if you are on top of the world. There weren't too many people, but not too few other, but it was still so nice and enjoyable. High places like this are truly great.

So Norway and pretty

Kids

Just spending some time there Aylin got in contact with Kasia and told her that we are planning to go to Vigeland sculpture park next, I had also told this to her in the morning and we agreed to meet at the main gates there, so we headed back to the train station, discussing traveling and unreal feel of it all. I honestly still can't figure out how did this thing called Norway happen to me and all... I can just write a whole post ranting about it, lets be honest here.

Vigeland park

We finally made it to the right tram and got to Vigeland sculpture park and met Kasiaaaa. It has been 7 months from the concert, so it was sooo nice! And the park itself as well, obviously. But friends... yes. I loved us meeting and we should meet soon again. We were just walking around there for a bit, there were a lot of other people, but it was okay, weather was still good and it's free to go there. But seriously, I really recommend to get the Oslo pass if you ever happen to travel there.

And when we were done there, we went to Grünerløkka, because I really wanted to visit this one record store, Tiger records (also do recommend!). It was quite difficult to find, but we did, and I got my Young Dreams album, hurrah! Then we had a pizza there, because we were literally starving, and finally went to do check in for Kasia, after what we went to our flat for me and Aylin to get ready for Raske Menn. Wow, isn't this a detailed description of literally everything... not so sorry.

Trying to find places? Piece of cake...

Readyyyy

We had tea, had fun, but then things turned serious because we had to go and see the thing that started this trip plan. Okay. So. Yeah. We took a tram back to town and headed to Aker Brygge, straight to Latter. Kasia knew where it were so she knew where to lead us.

What a pretty way to Latter!

It looked so fancy. Seriously. Cool. We went in, left stuff to the wardrobe and found our entrance, after promising to meet up in a certain spot, because we had seats in the freaking first row, as Kasia was sitting a bit farther.

There was no one there. Okay, some people on the side, but other than that, no. So I had to hear Aylin whine about "I'M NOT GONNA SIT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRST ROW IF THERE ARE NO OTHER PEOPLE" for some glorious minutes that just made me laugh so much that I almost forgot I was in the first row as well.

Gosh. Okay. Just like 10 minutes of waiting I think. I could touch the stage. My toes were against it as I was sitting. There was a Norwegian couple next to me. "Yes, now I know when to laugh," I thought to myself as I stared at the curtains.

Aylin told me to look up because there were stars in the ceiling. I almost broke my neck. I remember everything so vividly, but I had this weird feeling as if... I wasn't paying enough attention at the play? Because it was like...? A dream??

Then it started. With some music and stuff and yeah I didn't understand what they said in Norwegian excpet for ikke take pictures. So no pictures. Okay. No sneaky ones too, from the front row especially! And then it was on I just felt so...

Anyway. The first scene was about princess Diana and Calle was there, which immediately meant I couldn't pay attention to ANYTHING that was happening. Anders was in front of us with the piano and I kind of did feel bad for not looking at him, but, well. You know guys. You know.

I soon realised that understanding the language didn't stop me from enjoying the thing and already the first sketch made me laugh so much I can't even explain. Øyvind in his wonderful blue dress, dancing... Well, that just says it all, doesn't it?

I have to say Anders sings so good. But Calle...

I have to say Calle looks so tiny and it's weird because he is tall and skinny but tiny at the same time. Especially next to the others. So smol. My smol Calle. I mean, wow the acting was very nice 10/10 would see again. Yes. Totally. I can also consider writing reviews for money.

I am just thinking of it so much I lost my train of thoughts completely. I should train my brain more. A doomed try of a pun here, hello (I've just arrived in my FANTAAASTIIIC BOAT).

So. Yes. The next thing. Some motivation team thing. I think. Not sure. I just saw them and they were real and nice. Like... yeah. Anyway. Anders is such a sweetheart, that can be seen from the stage. He had a genuine smile and he was just sooo... so... nice. Øyvind has the different kind of humor, being all serious and doing silly things. Stupid things that make you laugh until you are tearing up. And Calle... he has the... crazy kind of humor. The humor that sometimes lefts you wonder if he is okay and if he hurt himself and how can he do all this with such ease and and and I wanna see that again. Damn. I would. If I had the money I would literally go and see it more, because it was amazingly good. It was better than I expected and better than Aylin expected as well.

Ummmm... then.... what else... I don't wanna spoil you... but Calle has such blue eyes...

Back on track, I would like to say it was amazing when they did the scene where they were lying down on the floor and then the screen showed them from above. I remember Øyvind looking towards us several times, probably being worried of hitting us on the head with his feet.

We could see ourselves from the screen.

Then the one where Calle demonstrated different ways of presenting stuff. I kind of screamed when he just jumped out from behind the curtain at one point there.

The birds! I knew Anders was going to mess up the tail part at irritated peacock scene. He did. Calle and Øyvind as birds... Also the urge I felt to tickle Anders' toes when he was just standing half a meter away from us...

Mirror dance. Scarecrows. The one where Øyvind wanted to buy a jacket. DAMN THE ONE WHERE ANDERS PLAYED THE PIANO and had like 4 hands plus wore nice shoes. And when it appeared Calle was helping him... when Calle tore down the curtain and wanted to put it back up, only to hang by his wrists after climbing up the ladder wrong way (apparently it is possible).... damn... lykke til Calle...

Calle with messy hair after he climbed out from under the curtain... the most perfect messy hair goals...

The commercial break where people where raised up from the audience. Literally. When Anders did magic only to show his middle finger. The boat scene. Everything, everything, everything. Monologues. Everything. They better freaking have a DVD of this, I DEMAND. Monologue things. Calle on the phone. Aylin hoping that he wouldn't spit on us.

I should calm down. This is not the place to let my feelings to be free. Okay, it is. And besides, everyone knows how I am. I just... yeah. No. No explanation. So. It was over and I had laughed so much it made me cough.

I deaded.

We headed out and met Kasia, got our stuff and exited the building and... I think that was the point it didn't feel real anymore. Though I could talk to the others and I had proof but you know? UGh. I feel like if I ever am making more sense to myself then I will have to write a new thing about this. Sorry. This sucks. I'm fighting myself in order not to delete it.

We saw Calle's doppleganger as well

We decided to go to our place instead of out somewhere, being quite tired and in my case way too overly excited and also super sad because it was over... also having one too many booklets in my purse... um... but anyway, with a nice company we headed back to the flat. We were just talking and laughing for the rest of the evening, until Kasia went back to her hostel.

Saturday, 24th of October

The next day we got up slighly later, because we had to pick up our car at 13:30 from the Oslo S. (Aylin had rented us a car. And all this just to go and see Lars Vaular live at Moss... which is about 60-70 kilometers from Oslo).

At first we went to Platekompaniet because Aylin was demanding to get Kaizers Orchestra Violeta Violeta albums. And of course I wanted Sondre and maybe something else as well. I ended up getting Sondre's 2 albums and Kaizers Orchestra's one album. Then after that we headed to the car rental place.

Roadtrip!

The guy there was kind of awkwardly funny, but we got out car and headed straight to Moss, after I'd figured out how to do the navigating thing. Being a DJ - I suck. I mean, yeah. We were kind of confused with some directions and in the end we were just listening to Kaizers, which was amazing though.

Found a person in Moss

Weather was super rainy and cold, but perfect for driving. I literally can't explain why I love being in a car when it's raining so much. We arrived to Moss very soon and left our car next to railway and from there walked around for a bit before wondering where we can eat something, being completely starving.

In the end we found a fancy but cozy place at the shopping mall and decided to sit there, next to a fancy fake fireplace and all. It was so comfy and nice, though a bit expensive, but what in Norway isn't. I suppose the prices were slightly cheaper than in Oslo anyway, after talking about this with my flatmate.

Having fun, are we

After the place was closed, we still had a good 3 hours to kill, because House of Foundation was supposed to open the doors at nine, and Lars was going to play at 10. We figured we can walk around, take stupid pictures and maybe check the right place.

It was indeed very nice, but rainy. We were sitting next to a lake for some time and just talking, before deciding to get the car and maybe park it closer to the House of Foundation. Well. We didn't think we were supposed to remember where we parked it though, so we kind of lost it. Before deciding to actually find it, we went to another cafe place and sat there, having coffee we ordered in Norwegian, because the man didn't understand a word of English.

We talked about just... random things, but I remember this so well and I want to go back so much. Like... first days of elementary school. Stuff we don't know about. After a while, though, we decided it was time to find the car and got going. We managed, ending up on a bridge one level too high, but we got to our precious companion and drove it closer to the concert place. Then we were just sitting and waiting for a bit. :D

When I finally convinced Aylin to go, we were still (very little) too early, because there was no one there (what's the deal though... I would've gone... maybe... it felt so awkward...). We then walked towards the Lerke building that was there and it amused me greatly while Aylin was just... Signe no. As always.

We found a cute courtyard place with a waterfall thing, but it was too dark. After a bit we indeed went into the House of Foundation building and Aylin gave her name, because it was like a vip thing, everyone just had to say a name.

Asking, if we could put our jackets somewhere, we were finally ready to explore the place, which was just... super small. But cool, oldr, with books and pictures and awesome feeling. With a tiny stage, just slightly higher than the floor. But I was already so very excited.

Actually we had to wait quite a bit, because even though House of Foundation told me it will start at 10, Lars was about half an hour late (not that I'm complaining actually). When it finally started though, there were a lot of people, most of them being older than us, and also a lot of guys. I was standing on the left side of the stage, not really in front, but didn't matter. I didn't want to be one of the champaigne-girls anyway. Blergh.

The cult leader aka the big L

Anyway, the music started and someone was on the stage and then Lars and the other back vocals singer walked to the stage from between the crowd as well. Annnnd yeah. I think the first song was Ung Heit Gateflamme and honestly it felt so unreal, because I was in Norway, in some small town, at a concert... for some Norwegian rapper who'se songs translations I have no clue of? Really? And I mean... really? I had all these plans of making Sondre's concert my top priority, but there I was... and I'm extreeemely happy about it DAMN it was amazing!!!

Some more

Aylin had wished me to have fun and kind of stayed back with ladies we titled as wine-mums.

I think it was a cult thing. Still. As she said. But we are a nice cult. I think.

Smile

It probably hit me that I was there when the next song, Eg E Fra Bergen came on because... let's be honest... I know it's from 2007 but it's still probably my favourite song. And I couldn't believe he did it here. Live.

TBH

All the other songs he played were definitely my favourites as well... Like.... Nonsens... and Det ordinar seg for pappa (which Aylin started loving unbelievingly much, seriously, she is crazy over his songs), and Runaway deathcar... and also Reiving!  And also... Koking... I can't believe he did Koking... I mean, I get it that he did songs like Rett op og ned and the first one and Champagneting... but Koking... the best cooking song... during which he actually made cooking movements facing my direction and it was too much greatness, honestly!!! When will I find my calm?

Also Gary Speeeeeeed. Which everyone sang along until the next song started... and... yeah. He was mostly standing in really front, buuut at one point he did look at the direction I was standing and came there so I could, haha, yeah, freak out because I didn't know the lyrics of that part, be super freaked out because he was totally making eye contact. and be overjoyed of just being there and maybe also... yeah... you know... making sure his hands were warm JUDGE ME all you want. IT WAS SUCH A GOOD SHOW.

He was so tall in real life. And... had such blue eyes? Also, I really like the current look with short hair and clean face I'm sorry but I honestly think it's the best. Khm. I feel like I should at one point write a proper polite and nice review. He was so tall and jumpy and... his stage presence is awesome. He even smiled. Quite a bit...

After the concert... (why don't Norwegians ever do encore?) I didn't have my voice and I could barely hear. I took my sweater I had put on the stage and stumbled towards Aylin who confessed she really liked him live as well. HA. See where you are now.

We walked back to ther car as I was mumbling nonsens and acting as if I was drunk, which is exactly how I felt. I remember that we had salad at 1 am and then I was just grinning and laughing and talking whatever. We went to sleep around 2:30 am, after agreeing to meet the others around... 2 (was it?) near National Theater, because Catherine had also arrived to Oslo on Saturday!

Sunday, 25th of October.

Us all!

After finally dragging ourselves out of bed, we had a nice slow morning, watching shitty TV and talking. We took the car back right before we met up with the others, Kasia, Catherine and Kari. We wanted to go to the same Espresso House where we went on Wednesday, but it was so full of people we couldn't. We settled for the Wayne's Cafe and stayed there for quite a long time, discussing things and people and Norway and IKMY and everything. And how it has already been 7 months since we last met...

We had so much fun, laughing at most random things. I wish I could go back to that moment, so much.

We then went to Oslo S, because Kasia had to go :(. She left from Torp, which is so far from Oslo. We sent her away and felt like part of us had left. Damn. I'm so glad I met you. Honestly. And even though the time we spent together was short, it felt amazing and I'm so glad you came to see Raske Menn and everything. UGH. Feels. Man.

Then me, Aylin and Catherine went to the opera house, we giving her a short made up tour. As always, opera house was too nice to bear and I got so emotional. I really don't even know if I like the area more in the dark or in the light. It's just wonderful at all times, also, Oslo will be the city known for their opera house, for me, and always.

In the end we figured we can go to our flat again! Because it was a nice place to hang out, being quite conveniently located. I really hope Catherine found her way back easily... we did get almost lost at one point. Again.

We listened to the music, talked, watched some TV and I made some weird version of a poor man's pasta. Pasta is life though and all kinds of pasta is good.

It was nice; it honestly felt like home. Despite it being my and Aylin's third time of meeting and Catherine's and us second time, it felt like it had always been like this. We living in the same town, sometimes hanging around in each other's flats. You know? The dream, to be honest.

After Catherine had left, we had to pack and then go to sleep, because wake up was at 6... The sad part ahead.

Monday, 26th of October

We got to the Oslo S quite early, because the trams worked fine again, roadwork was finished. I sent Aylin to her train and almost didn't cry. Just slightly. A bit. I felt empty though, and tried to compensate it with sweets and a muffin I later ate on top of the opera house while waiting for Catherine.

Morning at opera house!

I was alone there. Except for some people who were washing the place. But on top of it - completely alone. At 8:20 am. It was so fresh, sun was out, it was cold, but just so pure and I felt so... well, I was sad because of having to leave but... really. It was magical. I hadn't worried about anything for a week and I just felt so fresh and motivated and happy.

We were supposed to meet with Catherine at 9-9:30, but she slept in :D. In the end we met 10 something and decided to just take tram somewhere and walk around. Which was a terrific idea, since weather was wonderful.

Perfect

We were both quite quiet though, it felt so much at once; also since I was leaving I had so much to say and I just couldn't start. After spending precious hours together, we once more went to the record store and she found Lars' album which I got as well... oh man, money. But oh man, music!

Then I got train ticket to Rygge and after sitting with her for a while and getting me a sandwich, I had to say goodbye. UGH GOODBYES ARE THE WORST, HONESTLY. Also I just... thank you for enduduring my punny company!

More early mornings at opera house, please!

The trainride was okay, I was almost sure I was on the right train. We passed Ski, then Moss and then it was Rygge stop where I had to take bus to the airport, which I managed, even though I almost missed my stop on a train. I was sitting beside a window, but the prettiest scenery was on the other side. But still, it was honestly beautiful. Saw the exact spot we left our car in Moss and everything...

I was way too early at the airport. Like... I had 4 hours until my gate was supposed to close and even half an hour more before the departure. I was just sitting there, thinking, talking to people online and... feeling that I really wouldn't have minded staying longer. I literally didn't even want to go on a plane.

Which made me cry like half an hour before the boarding it was so silly wth me. And I just had one tissue and couldn't go to the bathroom :'D. It was awful.

Every worker started talking to me in Norwegian after seeing my name.

I had a window seat on the plane. There were lights. I listened to the music and missed Norway even before I left.

I still Moss it.

Thank you!