Oslo: By Land and By Sea

The Norwegian capital's name, Oslo, means "Meadow at the Foot of a Hill". Quite literally, homes  cascade down the hill above Oslo. Then public buildings cover the flat land at the foot of the hill, and summer homes spill across the 40 islands in the Oslofjord. What a beautiful city.

We began our Oslo tour at the apex of the hill where we walked around the Nordic ski jump viewing area that can accommodate 30,000 spectators! 

Over the years, huge audiences have watched Olympians or contenders for the Ski Jumping World Cup fly down the ski jump, go airborne leaning out over the snowbanks, then softly land on the snow-covered incline. No wonder the city's slogan is "See Oslo, ski Oslo"! 

On our descent, we tried to catch glimpses of the many beautiful homes hidden behind walls. At the bottom of the hill, we arrived in time to see the changing of the guard at the Palace.

Then we walked a few blocks to the National Gallery in the University section of the city to take in paintings by the country's famous artist, Edvard Munch. We were fortunate; this was his 150th birthday, so a record number of his works were amassed in a comprehensive exhibit. Seeing his body of work, we came to appreciate his contribution not only to Norway, but to the world's art scene. 

Several versions of his most famous painting, The Scream, were on display.

Leaving the museum, we walked by the Opera House and National Theatre made famous by Henrik Ibsen, Norway's national playwright, on our way to City Hall where every December 10th,  the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded.

We were overwhelmingly impressed with the city's divers cultural offerings.

A short walk from the city center through gardens, we arrived at the harbor.

During the summer the inhabitants of the capital work in the city during the day...

...then boat to their summer cottages after work. 

The harbor shoreline is dotted with miniature boat houses painted to match each family's larger summer residence.

On mini-islands jutting from the fjord are amazing architectural masterpieces--contemporary

and historic.

After our late afternoon harbor cruise, we walked down the pier to a restaurant recommended by locals. Located in a prefab building,

 the interior had an industrial, chic vibe.

Our meal was delectable. featuring a fresh vegetable salad.

just-from-the-sea catch, and

berries picked from the hillside.

It was a perfect ending to our Oslo land and sea excursion. 

Inspired by a Norwegian Sculptor's Lifework

An author might consider a single best-seller a worthy life's work; a composer might aspire to having a single symphony performed by a world-class orchestra, and most artists only dream of having one masterpiece hung in a national museum. Not Gusray Vigeland. The Norwegian sculptor produced apprixmiately 1,600 sculptures in his lifetime, with 227 of his granite and bronze sculptures displayed in Oslo's 80 acre Frogner Park. Vigeland Sculpture Arrangement is his legacy.

The sculptor's themes are apparent, appearing again and again throughout the park. Multiple statues chiseled in stone or cast in bronze depict the continuation of humanity beginning with a baby in a womb, nurtured by a mother and father, then relating to peers before finding a mate and beginning a new cycle. Meanwhile the man and woman mature in the process, until finally, old age overtakes first one and then the other.

Travel with me through the park on man's journey from cradle to grave. Take note of the relationship between a man and a woman on the wheel of life. See family illustrated. You will be amazed and inspired.

Vigeland seems to be saying that life comes full circle with a man and a woman supporting each other.

The sculptor tells the universal story of every man, every woman. Just inside the park below the bridge, he placed eight statues of infants at various stages to illustrate how we all begin.

The small statues encircle a column on which rests an unborn child.

Just above on the bridge are statues of mothers protecting infants,

 fathers carrying children,

and parents playing with their offspring. 

No wonder adults care for little ones. Who hasn't loved a child about this age in spite or because of his willfulness?

Vigeland captured the innocent, free abandonment of childhood,

as well as the protective role adults play in their development.

As one progresses through the park, you experience the vigor of young adulthood

and the sweet protective love of a young husband for his wife

which makes room for offspring.

Vigeland's depiction of a grandmother's love for all her grandchildren captured my heart,

while Bill related to the grandfather passing on his love and wisdom.

I smiled at the expression on this elderly woman's face. You have to agree, it would be disconcerting to see this in the mirror! 

At the apex of the park stands a column made up of 121 figures. Observing you see people drawn upward holding on to each other. Don't we all yearn for heaven, but need one another?

These photos are a smattering of the over 200 hundred sculptures in this park. Furthermore, these are a tiny fraction of the over 1600 works Vigeland created in his lifetime (1869-1943). No wonder he is called the most prolific sculptor of all time!

Personally, I was overwhelmed by the scope of Vigeland's vision. He saw life from beginning to end and clearly wanted to communicate the importance of parents and grandparents passing on to the subsequent generation love.

As I reflected on Oslo, Norway's treasure produced by one man, I was forced to ask myself, "What do I want to pass on to the next generation? Am I hard-working enough to produce a body of work that passes on that message?"

Thank you, Gusray Vigeland, for motivating me to push myself to accomplish more with my life--so those who come after me really grasp love.

Norway from West to East

Leaving Bergen we traveled east across the breath-takingly beautiful Norwegian countryside. To see the scenery we rode the train past picture-perfect farms,

then the bus up steep mountainsides beside stunning waterfalls,

 
past lakes so clear and calm they looked like mirrors.

Then we boarded a tour boat and continued to float through the pristine fjords.

Mile after mile we glimpsed gorgeous postcard-quality views. 

About noon, we disembarked at Flam, a tiny enclave where harbor meets train station.

A grand hotel offered a full meal for lunch. 

In the early afternoon, we continued our journey eastward by train. We climbed very rugged heights past powerful waterfalls.

In the distance, we could see glaciers.

About mid afternoon, we arrived in Mrydal where we caught our train to Oslo.

Believe it or not, you can overdose on beauty. As the shadows lengthened, I was numb. 

Even the lush fields and pretty red barns had lost their glamour.

Dusk finally overtook the long-lasting sun by the time we reached Oslo.

Discovering the fascinating capital on the east side of Norway would have to wait for another day.

Beguiled by Bergen

Norway was the second country we visited on our recent Scandinavian holiday. After leaving Denmark, we flew to Bergen, Norway.  Located on the southwest coast, Bergen is the second largest city with over a quarter of a million people. The colorful city is nestled into a narrow inlet of sea surrounded by steep mountains. Purportedly, the fjord was carved by glaciers eons ago.   

Actually, Bergen feels like a small quaint town--very colorful and quite charming. The historic, brightly painted wooden structures around the wharf are so often photographed they have become Bergen's face...

which makes the many sidewalk flower displays the town's rouge. 

A mountain rises abruptly behind the shopping district. The easiest way to the top is via the Flolbanen Funicular train. 

Once at the top you can see for miles and enjoy lunch or dinner in the lovely white clapboard restaurant. 

Above and behind the restaurant is a hiking trail.

We succumbed to the challenge and were so glad we did. God's glory was on display! The mountaintop beauty above Bergen inspired us to slow down and contemplate in two ways: The macro expanse gave us a panoramic perspective of the world,

while the microscopic beauty forced us to investigate the Creator's details often overlooked.

After the hike, we went back down the mountain and browsed in the many quaint shops,

watched a creative jewelry-designer at work,

took note of Norwegian furniture,

and of course, inspected hand-knit children's clothing.

We finished the day by eating a scrumptious meal at To Kokker, a charming little restaurant upstairs in one of the wooden buildings on the wharf.

As you can imagine, we slept very well after such an exhilarating day. Looking back at our trip, Bergen definitely captured our imaginations and has lingered in our memories.