Vigland Park, exploring Oslo, and off to Copenhagen

Have used Uber three times here in Oslo and each time it was a luxury car: MB S series, BMW 7 series and a Jaguar! Getting around here is quite expensive. From hotel to train station I took Uber and then train to airport. No simple inexpensive way of getting around.  One advantage of Uber is the set rate in that it does not matter if the driver takes the long way around, unless of course you are in a hurry.

Vigland Park is a well manicured and maintained park, but then everything is clean in Oslo except for the construction areas. The sculptures scattered about are amazing representations of human life. Fountains and flower beds contribute to the lush calmness. I was not so lucky in that there were a few groups of tourists who were quite loud and had little concern for anyone but their group. It is a lovely place when not crowded and I cannot imagine what it would be like in the peak of the tourist season. As I left there were 6 large tour busses parked out front and more arriving

Cars actually stop for pedestrians. Found the Vigland museum from what turned out not to be to scale map but it was closed. While sitting on the steps four women walked up and asked where the park entrance was in a language that might have Norwegian. When I told them English they asked again and I gave them the directions. Always amazes me when I am traveling and am asked for directions. Guess I do a fair job of blending in.

Explored more of the center city, shops, book stores, and I even found a two story mall. Sat at the Grand Café for a lunch of salad and wine for 348 Krona.  Searched for a sweater or jacket without success. No matter, hot flashes are still doing their job. In the center of the wide boulevard a band was playing and the streets were full of people going somewhere on a late Friday afternoon. 

The Nobel museum along with some of the sailing museums will have to wait for my return.

The scene from the airport train was stereotypical Norwegian farmland. Once at the airport I had to learn to check myself in, and drop off my luggage, all without encountering an individual. Not an easy task for the first time in a foreign language! 

Lots of opportunity to shop at the airport, but I chose to pay 300 kronos to enter what turned out to be one of the most pleasant and quiet lounges I have ever been in. It was such a shock to go to the gate where a large group of women were rather excited about something and loud. I thought the cadence of the language sounded Spanish and when I listened for a little while, I recognized some words.